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Pilote Galaxy G690D Essentiel
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Key Features

Model Year 2021
Class A-Class
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato
Price From (£) 65,450
Engine Size 2.3TD
Maximum Weight (kg) 3,500
Berths 2
Main Layout End Washroom
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At a glance

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Price from: £65,450 Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Length: 7.04m Width: 2.30m Height: 2.77m Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 585kg

Full review

Here’s the type of A-class that used to be on the best-sellers list of several imported brands. With a drop-down bed as the main sleeping area, more space is devoted to lounging.

It used to figure strongly in the ranges of Hymer and Rapido but, now, with European brands almost single-mindedly chasing twin bed and island bed customers, rivals to this Pilote are hard to find new. Itineo’s FC650 is close, but more compact, while Frankia has a similar concept at a much higher price point.

It’s certainly not hard to see the appeal of the new G690D, which supersedes the smaller G600L of the 2020 model year. Stretching the tape measure by an extra metre overall means masses of room inside, most of it dedicated to the XXXL lounge area.

Not only that, but this new Pilote has side settee seating for an even more open and spacious interior. It can convert to a couple of forward-facing travel seats when required but, most of the time, this seating area is about space to unwind, especially in a sociable setting.

 

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Seven could sit around the 1.20m-long fold-in-half table in comfort and nine people would not be too much of a squeeze. Then, when you’ve turfed them all back to their own motorhomes, just pull down the 1.81m by 1.37m double bed and you’re ready for the night. A lengthways Duo Bed is an appealing option.

In the morning, you’ll never dream of traipsing over to the site facilities as the huge end washroom is another big – very big – plus of this layout.

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Stretching the full width of the motorhome, this area includes a large separate shower on the nearside, and a corner basin and the superior Dometic toilet on the offside.

In between is a vast wardrobe with drawers as well as hanging space behind its two sliding doors (one of them fitted with the washroom’s second mirror).

Below the wardrobe is a full-width garage with generous 1.30m internal height, 630mm width and doors at each side, even if it is lacking in features such as adjustable tie-down points, lighting or power. A sliding door provides easy internal access.

On the nearside is the kitchen, with the 153-litre Dometic fridge/freezer (with automatic energy selection and doors opening either way) opposite.

The main galley is attractively presented and practical, with good worktop provision in front of the three-burners-in-line hob and a Thetford Duplex oven/grill at a sensible height. There’s an extractor hood, too, and three larger drawers.

This example, in stock at SMC, was in the keenly priced Essentiel spec – from a very reasonable £65k, or spec’d up, as here, with the Traveller Pack, Driver’s Pack, and other goodies including alloy wheels, oven, carpets, faux leather, GRP side walls, Truma Combi 6 gas/electric heating, etc, at a total of £73,640.

That’s still competitive for an A-class and this newcomer can also be ordered in Sensation spec (from £69,450) with an enhanced exterior, twin-lens cab mirrors, additional lighting, external shower, etc, if you prefer.

If motorhoming for you means rallying with human friends or having space for furry ones, then the G690D is worth a good look.

 

  
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