Chausson 624 Flash

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 5 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 602kg

This new Chausson motorhome relies on a tried and tested layout, so we know already it is going to appeal to many buyers. It’s also never dark in the 624, as natural and artificial lighting are well catered for. The overcab sunroof is huge and, cab reading lights have not been forgotten. With the side seat returned to its usual side-facing mode, the lounge will seat five in rather formal and upright style. Upholstery is well-finished but the seats are rather firm and the net curtains and single scatter cushion add a necessary splash of colour. Best feature here is probably the table, which – mounted on a centre post rather than fixed to the wall – slides is all directions with the squeeze of a single handle. Its easy movement overcomes the usual need for a slide-out extension leaf.

The kitchen backs onto the rear travel seat and, again, is conventional. Its L-shape layout allows a usable amount of worktop, while a low-level grill (but no oven) is added for the UK. Under-counter lighting, a utensils hanging rail and a large cutlery drawer are the best details. But by far the best feature of the galley is the tall, slim fridge with 142-litre capacity and automatic energy selection.

The slim fridge leaves room for an XL-sized wardrobe alongside, while families – and those on extended tour – will appreciate the tall, shelved locker between the washroom and the habitation door for even more clothing. The bathroom itself is excellent. Served by a space-saving tambour door, it has a generous separate shower, modern rectangular basin (more practical, if less ‘designer’ than the salad bowl style), opening window and loads of room to use all its facilities. Our only gripe is the longevity (or lack of it) of the Velcro used to secure the shower doors and the fact that the bathroom door is clipped open for travel (whiffs?).

However, the bathroom and clothes storage – indeed, storage full stop – are good reasons to go down this traditional layout route, rather than go for an island bed. Here’s a fixed bed ’van that doesn’t feel squeezed in any particular area and yet measures under 7m long. Whether you can live with the bedroom access is the question only you are able to answer.

There are three external garage doors. There’s heating and lighting in the 2.17m by 0.72m (minimum) cavern, as well as 12V and 230V sockets. Headroom for bikes, etc, is a whopping 1.30m – or, if you don’t need as much as that, just get out the winding handle and lower the bed above (minimum garage height is 0.96m).

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the March 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.

Masses of storage and an excellent garage are the reasons to buy this most traditional of Chausson motorhome models.