Pilote V600G X-Edition high-top campervan

X is for xtra spec on this stylish French campervan with a clever washroom

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Pilote V600G X-Edition

Pilote is well established in the campervan world with its range of Fiat-based high-tops but new this year is the X-Edition, which aims to cut out the hassle of wading through options lists by giving you all the essentials as standard. 

Four models are available, two with transverse beds (V540G and the longer V600G), a single bed layout in the V630J and, most unusually, the V633M with an electric rising rear bed over a huge garage. 

Here, it’s the V600G that’s under scrutiny as not only does it have the extra spec but also a new kitchen design and wider bed for 2024. It’s also the most popular of all continental-style campervan layouts.

The spec

Based on the six-metre Ducato with the 140hp engine and manual gearbox, it comes with 16in alloy wheels, Eco Pack (with start/stop), front fog lights and Lanzarote Grey paint with a colour-coded bumper (our images show a French spec model). Fiat’s automatic gearbox is a £2,640 option. 

In the cab, it features an electric parking brake, leather steering wheel and air-conditioning but there’s no overcab sunroof. Instead, there’s full-height walk-through with open storage pockets on either side and reading lights for the swivelling seats. 

No pop-up roof option is offered on the X-Edition, although it is available on other Pilote campervans.

The lounge 

The half-dinette offers a comfortable seating area with a wall-mounted table that features an extension leaf so that four can dine. 

A push-up Heki rooflight ensures that there’s plenty of daylight here, while a false floor beneath the table stops any legs from dangling. 

Above, the top locker merges seamlessly into the cab ceiling for an integrated look. The creamy-coloured upholstery is described as ‘synthetic leather’.

The kitchen

It’s the kitchen that’s new in this model, featuring a design that Pilote describes as more angular and more modern. 

It comes with a Dometic two-burner hob and sink combination unit under split glass lids, but the star feature is the selection of pull-out storage. 

At the top, just below counter level, is an XXL cutlery/utensil drawer and under that are two more drawers, plus a deeper pull-out to the left. Not so generous is the galley’s worktop space, but a flap at the forward end provides some serving space adjacent to the hob.

While rivals increasingly seem to be opting for a more open-plan through-view along the offside and into the bedroom, Pilote is sticking with a tall fridge alongside the sink. 

A 137-litre cooler is shown here but UK spec includes a 90-litre compressor fridge at waist height with the option of a gas oven (priced at £610) immediately below.

The washroom

The galley might be new but it’s the washroom that will still be key in choosing this French campervan over its many, many alternatives. 

One aspect that we really like is the way the bench cassette toilet slides away to give you more room for showering – you can even do it with your knee and it makes for an excellent-sized shower for a panel van.

The washroom also has an opening window and a roof vent but it’s slightly disappointing to see the foldaway basin following the fad for backless designs that waste water. 

Much more practical is the storage for toiletries, all held in place with elasticated straps.

The bed

Across the rear, the V600G gets a wider bed this season. We measured it at 1.48m (Pilote’s figure of 1.50m is wall to wall, rather than the size of the mattress). 

The bed’s length is 1.79m but usable space is much more generous, at 1.96m, thanks to mouldings that curve into the side walls. 

Cupboards on either side prevent sitting up but reading lights on long flexible stalks are fitted on the offside and opening windows in the rear doors provide ventilation (there are no side windows here).

Where to buy

Pilote is represented by Dicksons of Perth in Scotland and Camper NI in Northern Ireland.

In England, the dealers include Alan Kerr (Paignton), AMC Motorcaravans (Hailsham), Cosford Caravans (Wolverhampton), Davan Caravans (Weston-super-Mare), Durham Caravans, Hills Automotive (Kidderminster), Pullingers Leisure (Halstead), River Motorhomes (Sutton Coldfield), Signature Motorhomes (Preston), SMC Motorhomes (Newark), and Tamar Caravan Centre (Plymouth).

In Wales there’s Clwyd Caravans (Wrexham) and Tenby Tourers (Pembrokeshire).

Worldwide, the company has 176 dealers stretching as far afield as New Zealand and South Korea.