Chausson 627 GA Flash Special Edition motorhome

Berths: 2/4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Ford Transit Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 597kg

We’ve got quite used to telling you that every Chausson could be specified as a Flash or a more comprehensively equipped Welcome, while – uniquely – you could also choose between Ford and Fiat base vehicles.

Well, now it’s not quite so straightforward. In 2018 there are some Chaussons for which there isn’t a choice of chassis, or the trim level is decided for you. And then there are the new Special Editions. Here, the French firm has taken six of its best-selling layouts and added more kit for not a lot more money. There are three sub-seven-metre low-profiles based on the Ford and three over-seven-metre layouts on Fiat.

First, though, a word about prices. This model, in Flash trim starts at £47,570. Add the VIP Pack of essential spec (cab air-con, passenger airbag, etc) and it’s £48,870. Or, if you want Welcome spec the total comes to £51,680. Ah, but why go for broke when the Flash Special Edition is £48,880? Not only does the Special Edition get the VIP Pack as standard, but it upgrades the motor from 130bhp to a storming 170bhp – normally £1,300 extra. And you get a reversing camera and 16in alloy wheels, too.

But it’s not just about a few free toys. The Special Edition models get a different furniture finish which is not available with either the standard Flash, nor the Welcome. It’s called Salinas and it’s a lighter-coloured wood with white highlights.

Turning to the specifics of the 627 GA, this is a revised layout for 2018, with single beds over a garage in a 6.99m body. It has a new washroom design, revised to create more room in the lounge, while the optional (£700) drop-down bed (previously only a single) is now a double berth measuring 1.89m by 1.37m (max). The results of the revisions are worthwhile as, for such a compact ’van, the lounge space is good. The fixed table is long enough to serve those sitting in the cab seats, too, and it folds in half when you’re not dining. The kitchen has also been improved. In common with other Chaussons there’s now a two-gas-burner/one-mains-hotplate hob with combined oven/grill. The lighter colour of the cabinets works well in this relatively small space and alongside the galley is a tall, 138-litre fridge with automatic energy selection.

Opposite, the new bathroom is concealed behind a wide tambour door – pull it right back and the opening is 800mm across! It’s an all-in-one washroom but there’s plenty of room and a screen covers the top locker when you’re showering – not a clingy curtain! It’s the very spacious end bedroom that’ll be the key reason to buy. The twin beds measure 1.98m by 0.90m and 1.91m by 0.90m but you can’t sit up in bed because of the overhanging lockers. A concertina screen provides privacy for the bedroom area and there are wardrobes under the foot of each bed.

Meanwhile, the garage has loading doors on each side and storage for a spare gas cylinder. Interior headroom is a maximum of 1.14m.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in What Motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.