Coachman Pastiche 535-4 caravan

For 2010 there’s a lot of choice in the single-axle, fixed bed sector – but only one, the Coachman Pastiche 535/4, with a true galley kitchen and a lounge that straddles the border between traditional and modern

Precision-dimension metal band cabinet styling, upholstered curved pelmets, greys trimmed with the hues of heather… This year’s Pastiche caravan range has the words “unusual” and “stunning” imprinted all over it.

There’s much more to the Pastiche 535/4 than that all-important first-glance picture, though. Come with us into the kitchen to find out more…

This is a classic galley kitchen, with cooking equipment on one side and fridge and food preparation area on the other.  On the offside you have the expected array of fixed-drainer sink, cooker (with four burners) – and something you might not expect. That’s two large cupboards under the sink and drainer. So far so excellent. But it gets better. Opposite is the grey-curved-fronted Thetford fridge that matches the upholstery precisely. It’s set into a dresser that gives you two drawers and a huge working surface. The wall unit above is beautifully styled, with smokey-“glass” doors and a neat two-shelf arrangement that curves its way towards to door. This top unit houses a drinks cabinet with spotlight within. Alongside, behind a sliding, lockable plastic door, is the microwave – and, true to Coachman quality priorities, it’s a sophisticated model. Buttons marked roast beef, meat joint, roast pork, roast poultry and chicken quarters do the timing calculations for you. All you have to do is grab a bottle of wine from the cabinet, sit back in the scallop-shaped settees, relax and wait. Isn’t that what being on holiday is all about?

Time to sit in the lounge and make notes for you of some more Pastiche finer points. For us, no bottle of wine while we’re working; but that pleasure is in store – under lock and key if you want it to be. Only Coachman would provide a lock for a drinks cabinet! But, somehow, superfluous as this may seem, this tiny touch adds a little magic to the styling of the 534.

The essence of this layout – superb galley kitchen apart – is its fixed bed. It has a curved headboard, matching the grey leaf pattern fabric of the lounge that imbues a sense of classic styling. And the vantage point of the lounge is the best place from which to appreciate another classical Pastiche feature. It’s the metal-band cabinet styling that caught our eyes as we stepped aboard the 535.  Curtains are grey shiny velvet that reflects the light and helps to ensure that the whole effect is pale and bright.

With no apologies for injecting so much trim and fabric detail into this analysis, it has to be said that many of the 535’s unique points are in its fine styling. Take a look for yourself and you’ll see what we mean. And take time to sit in the lounge – we’re sure you’ll notice the unusually firm upholstery that gives you the impression it will still be just as firm in five or more years. Look carefully at the four unique-shape double armrests and you’ll see that each has a top portion that can be zipped off – just in case you want your arm support a little lower. Coachman, it seems, thinks of everything and more.

The lounge settees aren’t long enough to make two adult-length single beds – but they’re plenty long enough for kids. The shower is shared with the toilet but there’s a good, solid plastic door. This Pastiche has few compromises. And most things it does excellently. One example is the carpet. If our Awards had one for Most Durable Carpet, this one would be a clear winner. It’s not only a practical dark grey, but it has a sheen and tactility that welcomes your toes. It matches precisely the metal-effect kitchen and dresser surfaces. Like the start of this test, we have to end on a styling note. Utterly superb!
 
Robustly constructed, it’s not light in weight and it’s not cheap. Those aren’t Coachman’s markets. But when we recently met on a campsite a couple who were owners of their 12th Coachman, it was easy to understand why, once you’ve had a Coachman, it’s difficult to find anything better.

The Coachman Pastiche 535/4 is a fine caravan, finely styled by designers who have ensured its appeal to people with traditional furnishing tastes as well as those who seek out a more modern look. The Pastiche 535-4 has couple-appeal and four-up appeal. Moreover, it has quality appeal in every way.