Pilote launches its all-new Evidence range

UK buyers tend to like a high standard specification in their motorhomes without a bewildering array of options. As such, UK dealers find an all-inclusive approach easier to sell and UK manufacturers tend to serve up their vehicles accordingly.

Now, French manufacturer, Pilote, has adopted this approach wholeheartedly with its new Evidence range.

Six of Pilote’s best-selling floorplans have been picked to be available in this high-spec Evidence trim: four low-profiles, one A-class and one campervan.

The P650C (island bed), P626D (large front lounge with side settees, rear kitchen), P696D (effectively a longer P626D with a larger lounge end washroom and garage), and P740FC (face-to-face lounge, island bed) are the low-profiles.

The G740FC has the same layout as the P740FC but in A-class form, while the campervan floorplan has yet to be confirmed.

If the Evidence models don’t suit, a full line-up of the ‘standard’ Pilote models will still be available, including some new layouts and permutations.

The Pacific P720FGJ is a new 7.20m low-profile with single beds and a face-to-face lounge (also offered as a P726FGJ with drop-down bed up front) and the very popular P696D now has the choice of Essentiel or Sensation spec.

Two family-friendly overcab models have been reintroduced, too – the C690S (bunk beds) and C690G (rear double over garage). Both are exclusively built in Essentiel spec to keep costs down.

In the Pilote Galaxy A-class range, the smaller (6m and 6.5m) versions have been dropped but a new layout with huge front lounge and rear washroom and garage (effectively an A-class version of the P696D) is added.

The new G690D claims lounging/dining space for up to eight people and can be ordered with the lengthways drop-down bed, called Duo Bed, which measures a massive 2m by 1.89m.

Meanwhile, the Al-Ko chassis versions of the Galaxy (now solely with side settee lounges) can be purchased in the lower-cost Essentiel trim.

Also, all Pilote coachbuilts now have the 140bhp Fiat Ducato engine as standard.

Pilote-built campervans, which have recently been marketed under the Danbury Avenir moniker, are returning under the parent company branding for 2021 and the French firm is looking to develop a separate dealer network for campervans.

For the new season, the Pilote Van range also gets two new layouts – the V540G and V630HB. The V540G is the smallest model in the range, based on the medium-wheelbase Fiat and featuring a transverse rear bed layout.

The main novelty is the washroom, which no longer extends into the aisle but is now fully self-contained. The half-dinette seating in this model can also be replaced by extra cabinets and a swing-out table (as seen in the V600J2).

The V630HB, in contrast, uses the longest Ducato van in extra-high H3 format. It has a rear electric drop-down bed, which can be slept on in any height setting, while a second double can be added, bunk-style below.