Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i What Motorhome

AYEAR ago, Chausson launched its ‘S’ models – a pair of compact low-profiles designed to compete with campervans – and to appeal to first-time buyers and those on a budget. Now, for 2023, it has tweaked the recipe with new Sport Line versions that look completely different, thanks to the simple expedient of colour – a special grey normally seen on Ford’s Puma mini-SUV and, in the motorhome world, exclusive to Chausson. It’s applied to the cab and the habitation body (except the roof, for reasons of insulation/heat) and, for the plastic components, it is impregnated into the parts rather than painted. That’s not all that’s changed, though, so let’s take a look at this latest S514… The Sport Line adds a £5k premium over the original First Line model…

SOME might have thought the French bed layout had had its time and been laid to rest. After all, most motorhome customers seeking a double mattress want an island bed these days. But a minority of manufacturers are still holding the faith with this origin of the fixed bed species. Better than that, Florium is so convinced that the type still has legs that it has refreshed and reintroduced its 70 LD for 2023. In fact, this is the French firm’s only really new model for the coming season. Externally, it’s quite a handsome beast and, despite coming from the Rapido Group stable, it is not a clone of anything from the parent company. Roof rack rails are neatly integrated into the vehicle’s stepped roofline and the Mayflower also benefits…

ITINEO introduced its compact A-class range a year ago and we’ve already reviewed – and been highly complementary of – the CS660 (bunk beds, November 2021) and the CM660 (island bed, Summer 2022 awards issue). Now it’s the third variant, the single bed CJ660, that’s under the spotlight – and here we have it in 2023-season spec. All three of Itineo’s compact models are built on a Peugeot Boxer with 3,500kg gross weight, although a switch to the sister Fiat is possible if you need an automatic. Obvious competition for the new line-up comes from long-running slimline models, such as the Dethleffs Globebus and Hymer Exsis, but you’ll pay significantly more for these German alternatives. Itineo has always had value for money as a key USP. A short drive is…

THERE are just three layouts in Rapido’s 6F low-profile range (which sits above the compact C Series) for the new season, all now based on the Peugeot Boxer (although the Fiat chassis remains as an option if you need an automatic). Two of those – the single bed 666F and this 696F – come only in new Ultimate Line trim, which is also offered on a selection of A-classes (8066dF, 8096dF, i66, i96 and i190) and which replaces last year’s anniversary 60 Edition models. Each Ultimate Line vehicle gets a dash of unique styling and extra spec to differentiate it from standard Rapido motorhomes. Rapido says that the “fittings have been meticulously selected to ensure they add to the traveller’s comfort in both summer and winter.” In practice, that means…

BE SEEN SCREEN Breaking down is never part of the plan, but you should always plan for it. After all, if your motorhome throws a tantrum and starts kicking its wheels and screaming, then you need to take action. Whether you call the recovery truck and sit on the bank like a good little boy/girl and await rescue, or take to the tools and have a bash yourself, you should always switch the hazards on. However, now you can make your predicament even more obvious with one of these safety screens – currently on offer at the reduced price shown. This highly reflective panel can fit on the back of any vehicle, thanks to tabs with a suction pad in each corner. Measuring 75cm by 80cm, the red chevrons and…

IT’S fair to say that Coachman’s Travel Master range – the first motorhomes from this upmarket caravan brand – has got off to a flying start. The company took 22 orders on the vehicles’ debut at the NEC in February, despite virtually zero prior publicity. And those conquest sales came at the expense of top German marques, including Carthago and Hymer. Since then, the 545 island bed model has even nabbed our Luxury Motorhome of the Year title. Some going when Coachman had never offered a motorised model before… It hasn’t done it alone, of course, its Swedish parent company, Kabe, not only being involved in the development but also building the production vehicles. It may not be well-known here but Kabe manufactures up to 850 motorhomes a year and,…

LANDSEER sounds like an appropriate name for a campervan which should, after all, take you to see the land. But that wasn’t the reason the moniker was chosen and nor are these new Ford Transit Custom conversions named after the eponymous breed of dog. In fact, the company takes its title from Edwin Landseer, an English painter who also sculpted the lions on the base of Nelson’s Column. So, what has that got to do with campervans, which still weren’t much in evidence in 1873 when Edwin passed away? Not much, except that he is a favourite of company owner, David Heeney, and the brand logo (a stag) comes from the Monarch of the Glen, painted by Landseer. While we’re on the subject of paint, you can choose from 10…

YOU might think of Auto-Explore as a dealer special edition, as this is a campervan range that’s only offered by one dealer – Webbs. But it is more than that because this is no mere mass-produced conversion with a few added trinkets and a fancy new name. No, the Auto-Explore range (which we previewed in our 2023 new models special issue last month) is a new line-up developed from the ground up. In fact, Webbs was working with Ibex Motorhomes (which builds them) on this exclusive range for a year before the launch in recent months. All three models adopt familiar floorplans. The RL takes on the numerous rear lounge, two-berth layouts, while the SB is another British classic that is sure to lock horns in the marketplace with Auto-Sleepers’…

LARGE campervans with pop-tops, not for standing room but simply extra sleeping capacity, have been a growing trend over the last two or three seasons. It’s an easy way to turn a two-berth ’van into a family model, after all. The other fashion in van conversions has been for large sunroofs above the cab, in the style of low-profile motorhomes, but rarely are sunroofs and pop-tops seen together, as here with Dreamer’s D55 Up, a member of its entry-level Fun range. So, this is the Fun D55 Up Addict – what a name! – but you can also choose from a White Addict (in white, as here) or a Black Addict (no, we don’t need to explain, from £64,250). And there’s also a D43 Up Addict – a shorter model,…

ADOZEN years or so ago, Mercedes-based models were a regular sight from IH Motorhomes, albeit in lower volumes than their Fiat equivalents. More recently, though, if you wanted an alternative to the Ducato, this luxury campervan builder would point you towards its Volkswagen Crafter range. Now, following customer demand, the Merc is back, alongside the Fiat and VW, with the new 690 RD model having made its debut at the Norfolk Motorhome & Campervan Show in July. IH’s numbering system is a clue to overall length, so the new Mercedes takes its position as the company’s largest model, longer than the 680 on VW and 630 on Fiat. The ‘RD’ refers to the fact that the panel van’s rear doors are retained here, rather than having a fixed moulded back…

IT’S always interesting to see new exhibitors come along to the National Motorhome & Campervan Show and Norvan instantly got our attention at this year’s event with a bespoke conversion based on a VW T6.1 with a motorbike hanging out of its tailgate on a slide-out ramp. This was a customer’s ’van, designed to accommodate a sports bike completely inside the camper when travelling. It wasn’t for sale, but it was a great example of the kind of thing Norvan can build for you, if you want a one-off. The Wakefield-based company specialises in bespoke conversions and offers everything from ‘swamper’ and off-grid campers to family-friendly models, and also specialises in tech and entertainment. It builds on VW, Mercedes and MAN vans, although only Transporter-based campervans were on display at…