Full review

The Fiat-based Welcome range also represents Chausson’s top-specification vehicles. For example, there is also a 510 in the Flash line-up below this, and it’s some £3,600 cheaper.

But it’s the Welcome that boasts such luxuries as reversing sensors, automatic energy selection fridge/freezer, Seitz windows, habitation door with window and full flyscreen, Remis cab blinds, central locking to all three doors, cab carpet, automatic light setting when you enter the living quarters, and loads more.

No surprise then that the Welcome is 45kg heavier than its Flash sister. A slight surprise is the lack of a stereo, although additional rear speakers are, again, part of the Welcome specification.

The exterior sports the same flat roof look, and it’s all GRP-clad (and backed by a five-year warranty), with a different back panel incorporating LED lighting, compared to its sister. There’s also an opening sunroof towards the front and a Heki rooflight over the kitchen area.

Inside, the Welcome 510 treads a well-worn path with its floorplan of large front lounge, rear washroom, kitchen amidships and, of course, a comfortable bed tucked up over the main seating area just waiting to glide down at the turn of a key when it comes to sleep time.

There’s also a bit of a step down from the cab to the rest of the lounge where, like the Best Of 10 reported on previously, a key feature is the large table with electrical height adjustment.

The blue upholstery here is called Maldives (others are available). The lounge includes an L-shaped settee (another differentiator between Welcome and Flash), as well as the usual inward-facing settee and swivel cab seats set-up. Again, if we were being critical, it tends to be a rather middle-of-the-road brown here. Maybe it’s right to leave it to owners to brighten things up with their choice of scatter cushions or similar.

The main bed is the same as that in the Best Of 10, although there are more lights to its underside. They’re LEDs throughout, too, with extra ambient illuminations compared to its lower-priced stablemates. The washroom is largely similar, too, right through to the extra-large shower compartment, swivel bowl toilet and extensive storage, although the main difference here in the Welcome is the stand-alone washbasin.

Moving back, the kitchen has a three-ring hob (no spark ignition) and separate circular sink, both with hinged glass covers and set in a unit that also features two large soft-close drawers, while overhead there are two lockers with the same cream gloss finish that should prove easy to wipe clean, as well as a rooflight with 12V fan operation.

Opposite, is Thetford’s 171-litre fridge/freezer, while the cooking facilities continue with a Dometic grill/oven – although it will be set far too high for most folk. Completing the appliances, heating is via a diesel-fuelled system, which can be used en route, while hot water is from a Truma boiler.

There’s certainly plenty here as standard that you’ll pay extra for on rivals, while its Flash 510 sister is a tempting lower-cost alternative. Maybe it’s time to get the calculator out…

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