Coachman VIP 575/4 (2015 model)

The Coachman VIP 575 caravan is one of three new transverse island bed caravans to arrive for 2015. VIPs have Alde heating for the first time, and are equipped with the AL-KO ATC electronic stability control system.

Coachman Caravans’ developments for 2015 include the introduction of Alde central heating into the VIP range, and also the introduction of transverse island beds. These two new features come together in the 575/4.

First, the aspects of the 575 that you can’t see. Bonded, polyurethane wall construction has been introduced. Coachman tells us the advantages of using this build system go further than impermeability to water; it makes construction simpler and improves efficiency, because the sides arrive at the factory pre-shaped.

Alde heating has been introduced to the VIP range, and it has arrived without an increase in weight. Coachman has worked with Alde to design the system for the VIP to achieve optimum efficiency in the system for each model, which means that the maximum possible number of radiators has been put into each caravan; in the 575 there are seven.

Now to aspects of the 575 that you can see: the décor. Woodwork is totally different to anything previously used by Coachman; a sort of milk chocolate shade.

Wall boarding is completely plain, in white. Kitchen drawers are almost white, with a matt finish and a subtle groove pattern.

Tje construction of the upholstery is new for 2015. It’s calledf Ozio, devised and made by Leisure furnishings, and it’s around 30% lighter in weight than that previously used. It’s made of polyester fibres. The unique method of vertically lapping the fibres allows airflow and moisture through the fibres. The construction of the seating includes a breathable hydrophobic core, hard-wearing in terms of shape retention. And it’s hypoallergenic, which means it does not release any microscopic dust which can be an irritant.

There are changes in shower rooms for 2015…

Showering

The 575 has Coachman’s largest ever shower. (It’s also in the Coachman VIP 560 and VIP 565 models.) It measures 79cm x 65cm and has a single-piece door that pivots a few centimetres in from the edge of the frame, so that it doesn’t take up too much space when it’s open.

Ecocamel shower heads arrive across all ranges for 2015. These have air inlets in the base of the handle; when the air and water mix, the flow rate is increased.

There’s an Alde towel rail on the rear wall. Heat also comes into the shower room from Alde radiators running across the rear; a mesh-covered aperture ensures that warm air rises here.

Also new for 2015 are back-lit mirrors. Eighteen LED lights are mounted within the mirror along each side; it’s a startling feature.

Three shelves, edged with chrome rails, and two cabinets take care of necessities. There are two shelves in the shower for shampoo bottles.

Sleeping

A sliding door leads from the shower room into the bedroom.

The transverse island bed is 1.8m long in night-time mode. For daytime use, a spring mechanism enables you to push it towards the wall, to create extra corridor space, reducing the bed length by 20cm. A section of upholstery slides down at the pillow end at night and sits up, under the pillows, by day.

A low-level light, built into the wooden bed base, is controlled by a switch near to the pillow end, in just the right place to reach out to turn it off after you’ve got into bed.

Wardrobes flank the bed; they provide 44cm and 30cm of hanging width respectively. Each has a light which comes on automatically when you open the door. A triangular dressing table, with a mirror, top and base cabinets plus TV points, is in the forward offside corner of the room.

Most buyers of the VIP 575 will be couples, but this model does have double-bed capability in the lounge, with a base sliding out from under the offside settee.

Storage

The 575’s greatest storage asset is the double bed. There’s a vast area of space under here but the mechanism which enables it to be withdrawn for daytime use by 20cm also means that there is a T-shaped metal frame. Even though this frame prevents uninterrupted access, there is still enough space to push items in from the exterior.
Three top lockers are over the bed; six more are over the lounge.

Dining

The table is stored at the front end of the kitchen. The smaller dining option, in the lounge, is 69cm deep and 63cm wide with the extension pulled out; it’s of an adequate size for breakfast and snack times.

Lounging

Coachman has been constructing armrests in two parts for several years. You can zip off the top section if you prefer your armrests lower. The top section is suede-effect; the base matches the cream tactile fabric of the rest of the seating. A combination of lighting, cleverly coordinated upholstery shades and design, creates a classy look and an ambience of ‘home’.

Kitchen

High-gloss laminate splashbacks have been introduced for 2015, with a horizontal veneer pattern that cleverly brings together all of the colours used in the fabrics, flooring and furniture; it’s arguably the first thing you notice as you step inside the 575, because it’s directly opposite the door. It gives the kitchen an instantly modern, high-end classy look. Kitchen connoisseurs will love the robust removable draining board. It’s made by high-end kitchen equipment specialist company Joseph Joseph, and has grooves to channel water back into the sink.

The lower kitchen storage system is three drawers, 54cm wide. The fronts of these drawers, and those of the three top cabinets, are white, with a slight vertical line design.

Style arrives even in tap form. It’s an angular, slim design, in chrome. And a row of bright LED lights shines down from under the surface of the kitchen and also the surface above the cutlery drawer over the fridge opposite. Very refined, very VIP and very appealing!

Kitchen surface, though, is rather confined. It’s only 34cm wide, forward of the (lovely smart, practical, black enamelled) sink. A hinged extension would have transformed the practicality of the 575’s kitchen.

Towing

Our review example was the prototype; it had emerged from the factory the day before Coachman's 2015 new-model launch event, where we reviewed this model before anyone else arrived. So there was no opportunity to take it out on the road. Our towing remarks, thus, are confined to theory. It has the electronic ATC stability control system. Big plus point. We have towed VIPs of this dimension before, and reported excellent handling characteristics. So we can safely put a tick in the box marked “good road manners”.

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Coachman VIPs have been regarded as high up among Britain’s most prestigious caravans for more than a generation. Discerning buyers go for them; those who expect refined, well-built caravans. For 2015, Coachman’s first transverse island bed VIP takes those appeals to a new level, with Alde heating and without wood in the side panels. This prestige model has really got it right. Only the small kitchen surface invites adverse comment from us.