outandaboutlive.co.uk
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For 2015, Chausson is offering a choice of
base vehicles – either the new Ford Transit
or Fiat Ducato – for every coachbuilt model
except the C626 overcab.
Last year, we drove Chaussons on the
Fiat and the old Ford back-to-back and were
surprised by how old the Transit felt. This
year the positions are reversed. Model for
model, the Ford is £1,300 cheaper so the
only reason to have a Fiat, it seems, is if you
want an automatic.
Alongside the existing 718EB, Chausson
has introduced two more island bed layouts,
the 628EB and 728EB. EB stands for Easy
Bed, Chausson’s system of a manual wind-
up adjustment of bed height to ease access
at night or maximise storage in the garage
below.
The 628EB simply squeezes the 718EB’s
layout into a shorter body, taking a few
inches off the lounge and kitchen and
curving the corners of the island bed. The
results aren’t too noticeable on the inside,
but the changes take half-a-metre off the
overall length. Despite this, the 628EB
retains a separate shower at the foot of the
bed, a 175-litre fridge/freezer and an optional
electric drop-down bed in the lounge.
The 728EB is described as a “new
generation of island bed”
and comes with the newly
fashionable floorplan, which
places a wall at the foot of
the bed, with a washbasin on
the reverse side, then corner
toilet and shower facilities in the
bedroom.
For the new 610, a generous
lounge and spacious across-the-rear
washroom are retained, as is the drop-down
bed. Overall length, however, grows by
70cm and this is used to house a full-width
garage with no less than three loading
doors, 1.26m maximum interior
height, 150kg maximum weight
and 12V and 230V sockets. Inside,
the washroom gains possibly the
largest wardrobe ever seen in a
compact motorhome!
With prices from £41,390 (Flash) or
£45,390 (as a high-spec Welcome), the
610 is a surefire success story. We’d go for
a Ford-based Welcome version but get in
quick, the queue of orders for this one is
likely to be long…
Dethleffs has completely reinvented its
Advantage range for 2015, making use of its
Lifetime-Plus construction, which eliminates
wood from the make-up of the bodywork,
as standard.
Dethleffs has also made its pricing more
attractive. As a result, its new Advantage
range is set to become its best seller as
pricing now starts from just £55,590.
The Advantage gets a new 70cm wide
habitation door with matching step. Whether
you choose the low-profile T-prefixed
versions or the I-model A-classes, there are
six fixed bed layouts on offer, all based on
the facelifted Fiat, with a new overcab pod
or restyled front depending on the body
type. The new low-profiles incorporate a big
overcab sunroof and look well-matched to
the Ducato cab.
Included in the new
models are slide-out gas
cylinder holders for
easier bottle swapping,
new flip-up kitchen
worktop extensions and
tall, slim 142-litre fridge/freezers are fitted
across the range.
The line-up starts with a 6.40m French
bed floorplan (5901). The 7051 DBM (island
bed) and 7051 EB (fixed singles) each offer
proper en suite facilities combined and
closed off from the forward living area by
swinging the toilet door across the aisle.
With low beds (each 2m long) in the EB
model, this Advantage is very appealing,
Dethleffs has discontinued the Premium
Liner for 2015, but has introduced a
completely redesigned Globetrotter XLi (from
£91,790), which takes its place at the top of
the Dethleffs’ tree.
Completing Dethleffs’ luxury line-
up is a motorhome that will appeal to
families needing space and payload. The
Globetrotter XXL A places its 8.92m-long
body on the facelifted Iveco Daily 65C17
with twin rear wheels. At 3.45m tall, you
can’t miss this behemoth but neither are you
likely to overload it. Its payload is 1,550kg!
Turn to page 27 to read more on Dethelffs’
exciting new 2015 range of motorhomes
The well-specced, well-priced
Chausson 610 Welcome
Dethleffs’ 2015 Advantage
coachbuilt now starts at £55,590
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