Coachman Pastiche 460/2

The Coachman Pastiche 460/2 for 2012, in common with the whole Pastiche range, has big changes: arched rooflines, sunroofs almost the full width of the caravan and you can even programme the heating

It’s little surprise that Swift’s fabulous sunroof idea should appear elsewhere – and the Coachman’s version is larger; it extends almost the full width of the caravan. It’s introduced in the Pastiche, Laser and VIP ranges for 2012.
Our test example of the Pastiche range is the smallest, it sleeps two and has an end washroom.
The sunroof is a brilliant feature of the Coachman new body shape that has raised corner sections and grey roof rails. Sides are now single-piece aluminium – and graphics are startling, dramatic sweeps.
The Pastiche 460/2 gets a big change in kitchen layout for 2012. The fridge moves from within the kitchen, across the caravan to become part of the nearside dresser, taking the place formerly occupied by the Truma heater unit. That’s because Coachman is introducing, for 2012, an exclusive version of Truma’s Combi-Boiler heating system; it’s in VIP and Laser models as well. The exclusivity comes in the form of a timer – you can programme it just like a domestic heating system. We discovered during this test that the Combi-Boiler is almost completely silent in operation, unlike the blown-air system.
On gas operation you get 4kw of power; 1.8kw on mains. Our test took place in lovely summer weather, so we’ll have to take Coachman’s word for the heater’s effectiveness in cold temperatures. Coachman tells us it’s most effective if you switch it to gas initially, to warm it up quickly, then switch it to mains electricity to maintain the temperature. It’s designed to warm up more quickly than the familiar blown air and convector system.
There are two mode settings, one for summer, one for winter. Summer mode is defined as hot water only and winter mode is hot water and heating. Heat circulates via blown air vents at the bases of seating and in the shower room.
You can choose the temperature and set it to come on at different times; there are two settings per 24-hour period. At any time you can select “manual” to  override it. You can also select different water temperatures.
Minor changes throughout the range for 2012 include new cabinet handles that are plain and stark. The door is a new style; it’s slightly wider and taller than last year’s doors.
Waste water exits are now in the side rather than the rear; a change that was made to Amara models last year. The significance is that some people think waste water containers are less obtrusive sited at the side than the rear. (We’re not convinced this matters).
The 460/2’s rear washroom has a suite of clothes storage opportunities in a huge wardrobe containing shelves alongside the wide rail and two wide drawers beneath.
There’s more than an enormous wardrobe to catch your eye in the washroom. The sink is Belfast-style, deep and rectangular. And the shower rose is mounted on a gleaming black plastic plinth that arches up into the roof of the shower compartment and is edged by 18 bright sparkling LED lights – utterly amazing!

Coachman has done big things with its body shapes for 2012, plus new space-saving heating system and sunroofs that stretch right across the caravans.
The two-berth Pastiche 460/2 has a bright, spacious feel. Shaving a little off the weight enhances the appeal of the 2012 Pastiches, too.
The new shape transforms the look from traditional to modern – and the look continues everywhere inside right up to the LEDs above the shower rose.