Chausson 640 Titanium Ultimate low-profile motorhome

Improved for 2023, is this the ultimate drop-down bed motorhome?

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Chausson 640 Titanium Ultimate

It’s fair to say that Chausson has led the way where drop-down bed motorhomes are concerned, certainly where the lowerable bed is the main the sleeping quarters. In a reduced range of seven layouts for 2023, three models fall into this camp. 

There’s the one-of-a-kind 660 with its huge walk-in garage, the 720 that’s family friendly thanks to its rear bunk beds, and the classic, the 640. This is the one that’s been so successful that a number of both British and continental manufacturers have copied its concept. What was that about the sincerest form of flattery?

But the French firm hasn’t just sat back on its laurels and let everyone else catch up. For a start, the latest 640 (only on Ford this season, due to difficulties in obtaining Fiat chassis) comes with enhanced Titanium Ultimate spec. As well as updating the aesthetics with a new upholstery featuring contrasting stitching and new Sirocco furniture, there’s more standard kit, including the Accessory Pack (awning, solar panel, cab blinds, etc).

The layout

What hasn’t really changed, of course, is the floorplan, with its spacious front lounge featuring side-facing settees for an open-plan feel – Chausson calls it a Smart Lounge and it converts into a pair of forward-facing seats for travel. 

Equally important is the huge rear washroom right across the full width of the motorhome, with a giant wardrobe, under which is a garage. The motorhome is still a smidgen under 7m in length, too, although it feels bigger than that when you step through the new habitation door (now fitted with a gas strut, as well as a window, flyscreen and central locking, but no longer with a waste bin (which has moved into the kitchen).

The exterior

The entrance isn’t the only external change, as there are lighter, more discreet graphics, as well as black alloy wheels. It’s a new look but it retains Chausson IRP construction (with GRP on the floor, roof and underside) and the Technibox (for convenient external access to the water filler, habitation fuses and RCD). At the rear, the road lights are contained in a neat black strip and bike rack mountings are factory fitted.

Not that you’ll necessarily need to add a rack, as a key feature of the 640 is its generous garage. Internal height is 1.26m, width a maximum of 820mm, and there’s internal access to the space as well as external doors on either side. The nearside door is almost the full height of the motorhome and here there are two shelves which fold so you can maximise the space.

The interior

Enter the motorhome and the first thing you’ll notice is the size of the lounge. The offside sofa (with armrests) is 1.38m long (the nearside one a tad less) and the table folds in half, so as not to be too cumbersome (it’s a whopping 1m by 0.83m when opened out). 

Above, the new, improved drop-down bed has a darker circular section with inset downlights, while contrasting cushions add a splash of colour in a scheme that is predominantly light wood and grey. There’s a big overcab sunroof, plenty of artificial lighting and a pair of USBs. Living area carpets are part of the UK spec, too.

The kitchen

A significant change this year is the redesigned kitchen, which is now a straight unit. However, the images here show the continental version – UK buyers benefit from a Triplex cooker with combined oven and grill. 

There’s still plenty of storage and worktop space, while a 167-litre Thetford fridge is fitted opposite.

The washroom

For many buyers, though, it’ll still be the vast washroom that’s the reason to buy. Behind a white tambour door, you’ll discover a good-sized shower with roof vent above, while on the offside are the cassette loo and basin. 

Turning this into a proper changing room is the massive wardrobe featuring a 900mm-long hanging rail, shelves on three sides and even shoe holders on the doors.

Where to buy

Chausson has 15 dealers around the UK. In Northern Ireland it is represented by Central Motorhomes of Lisburn, while in Scotland the dealership is Knowepark Caravans in West Lothian. In Wales, you’ll find Chaussons at 3 A’s Motorhomes in Carmarthenshire.

Then, in England, there are retailers as far north as Tyne Valley Motorhomes (Newcastle), as far southwest as Highbridge Caravan Centre in Newton Abbot, Devon, and down in the southeast at TC Motorhomes of Herne Bay.

If you’re heading off on a grand tour, it’s reassuring to know that there are Chausson dealers as far afield as Bulgaria, Lithuania, Sweden and Greece.

You can read an in-depth review of the Chausson 640 Titanium 2019 model here.