Full review

The P650C is one of four low-profile models (plus a single A-class) in Pilote’s new Évidence range. Simply taking best-selling layouts and adding all the spec that UK buyers usually want, then wrapping it all up with a super-keen price tag sounds like a recipe for success, especially as the P650C was already a model that we’re big fans of at What Motorhome.

Few rivals come close to offering such a practical island bed layout in such a compact motorhome.

Évidence spec is certainly comprehensive, starting with a 140bhp Fiat base vehicle with the nine-speed automatic transmission (often a £3k option elsewhere) and 16in alloy wheels.

The cab also gets a leather steering wheel, chrome ringed instruments and aluminium-style fascia trim, as well as cab air-conditioning, passenger airbag, cruise control, etc. Then there’s a standard Media Pack with DAB radio featuring an 8in touchscreen, rear speakers and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. A reversing camera is fitted, too.

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On the outside, the neat compact body comes with an overcab Skydome rooflight, flush habitation windows, a 100W solar panel and a roll-out awning, as well as a useful slide-out storage drawer in the nearside skirt – ideal for mains lead, levelling wedges, etc.

The habitation door is linked to the remote central locking and has a flyscreen and an electric step. At the rear, doors on either side open onto a heated, full-width locker with around 820mm headroom. It’s not quite a bike-swallowing garage (unless you have Bromptons, or similar), but it’ll be ideal for outdoor chairs, etc.

The island bed itself is a sensible 1.88m long by 1.48m wide and has perfectly placed reading lamps, as well as rear speakers.

There are suspended wardrobes on each side of the bed, leaving room for super-sized bedside tables for your books, drink, specs and so on (USBs are also provided, but only on the offside). A pair of large drawers sit under the foot of the mattress, while a ‘secret’ under-bed area is a good place to keep cameras, tablets and laptops.

If you’re wondering how all this night-time luxury is possible in a vehicle of this size, look at the washroom.

When not in use, the shower tray is covered with a slot-in flooring panel and it effectively becomes part of the bedroom. The concept works, even if there is less than six inches between the bathroom’s tambour door, when closed, and the mattress. There’s no compromise in terms of the washbasin or the bathroom storage and the shower cubicle employs a swing-wall to create a really good shower, with not a clingy curtain in sight.

The galley, in contrast, is rather bijou, although it does look smart with its gloss white doors and new contrasting black handles. Squeezing in just a two-burner Dometic hob and a stainless-steel sink, the latter’s removable cover acts as almost the only worktop.

However, there’s good drawer space, 230V, 12V and USB sockets are to hand, lighting is more than adequate and a spice rack is fitted on the wall.

Crucially for UK buyers, Évidence spec includes a proper-sized oven/grill (a big improvement on the small unit installed in earlier examples of the P650C). Alongside the galley is a tall 139-litre fridge with automatic energy selection.

The half-dinette lounge offers two belted rear travel seats and twin swivel cab seats. There’s plenty of room for four around the wall-mounted table, thanks to a swing-out extension leaf, and a height-adjustable TV bracket is on the wall behind the travel seat.

The television itself is one of the very few items not included as standard here, so value for money is very strong indeed.