Full review

Pilote’s new P650U is a coachbuilt motorhome that’s equipped with a spacious, U-shaped rear lounge and a front dinette with two rear travel seats. And it feels very spacious, too – quite a mean feat, considering it measures up at less than six-and-a-half metres long. Three berths are on offer, a transverse double in the end lounge and a single up front

The Sensation spec offers extras such as enhanced ‘external decoration’, upgraded heating (6kW instead of 4kW), DAB radio, cab blinds, cooker hood, improved lighting, overcab sunroof... Inside, mid-brown wood blends with white panels here and there, along with positive-locking chromed catches and glossy high-level locker doors.

The cab is equipped as standard with cruise control, air-con, plus central locking and electric windows, while extras included a passenger airbag and reversing camera inside, alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and front foglights outside.

Things start pretty well up front with a good acreage of table that’s multi-adjustable thanks to its substantial pedestal leg and sliding top. There’s also a side seat that turns the forward-facer into an L shape. Sat in the cab seats is the best place to view a TV as Pilote has fitted a bracket (and sockets) to the forward washroom wall. And it’s mounted on a vertical rail so it can be slid down to the perfect, neck-ache-free viewing height.

The dinette’s other talent is to become a transverse single bed. Aside from the obvious light from the cab glazing, the windows (including one in the door) plus overcab sunroof and full-sized Remis rooflight make sure that all is light and bright. At night the same is true: reading lights in the cab and dinette, downlighters and under-locker strip work really well.

This dinky galley does rather well. OK, the less impressive bits first: no drainer, only a two-burner hob and precious little worktop. Despite the minimalist hob, there’s also an oven/grill that’s set safely low down. Storage runs to three drawers (one containing a good-sized waste bin and a bottle store), a small locker, large cupboard and divided high-level locker with shelves. The 138-litre fridge is of the tall ‘n’ slim variety. Lighting is good, too, with three downlighters and a bright, multi-LED ceiling lamp. Above the hob are 230V and 12V sockets. Its position is not the best design decision I’ve seen, and it’s the only USB outlet in the motorhome.

A wide-opening tambour door makes it easy to access the ablutions. The white plastic basin is set into a countertop, Bits and bobs have a good home, too, in a generously-sized, upper cabinet with plenty of shelves, all sensibly fitted with rails. Above the basin, the mirror is big enough to serve people of just about any height and below is another cupboard, big enough for loo rolls and their like.

Lighting is good, both natural and artificial, the former providing excellent ventilation as it’s a wide-opening, wind-up Remis job. Artificial light proved great after sunset – two downlighters and high-level strip performing very well. The wetroom floor features just one drain, but it’s a good one, with built-in trap that can be cleared of hair and gunge from above. A swing-wall sees the basin hinge sideways, creating a good-sized semi-separate shower compartment in the process.

There’s a concertina divider that shuts off both the rear lounge/bedroom area and the washroom, so there’s no need to close all the blinds when showering, dressing, or merely getting changed. Above the Dometic toilet, a drying rail swings down to take towels and maybe wet coats, although any water will drip onto the toilet.

The generous U shape of the rear lounge is able to seat eight at a pinch. The surface above the two-thirds-height wardrobe is a good place for a TV (either free-standing or on a bracket) and there are two mains sockets here, but no 12V outlet. The table up front is great for dining, and there’s another in the rear that’s also very fine, which emerges from its own adjacent locker, sets up easily and is really generously sized. A simple but great addition.

The lounge becomes a bedroom and there’s just a transverse double bed to be made. Very unusually, the bed base boards are stowed behind the backrests on either side and they drop in easily. Topped with the backrest cushions, a reasonably sized and comfortable bed is created.  This lounge is good, especially so for a motorhome of these dimensions.

The aforementioned wardrobe is a decent size and there are six overhead lockers and assorted shelves to complement. Even bigger locker space is found under each side sofa, so there’s plenty of space for bedding. Then, across the rear, there’s an externally accessed, full-width, door-at-each-side locker with plenty of room for bulky kit. It’s not tall enough to be called a true garage, but this sort of room for outdoor furniture is a rear plus here. 

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the December 2016 issue of MMM magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of MMM magazine here.