THE PANDEMIC AND the lockdown have caused Chausson to abandon the idea of producing a ‘traditional’ range for 2021. Instead, the French manufacturer has come up with a slimmed-down range of 10 models – eight low-profiles and two van conversions.
It has also dispensed with the Flash and Welcome spec levels that have been a regular feature in its ranges for many seasons. This year, there is the entry-level First Line, which is only available on a Ford Transit.
Higher-spec models are split between Titanium VIP, on a Fiat Ducato, and Titanium Premium, on a Ford Transit.
Cab air conditioning, driver and passenger airbags, cruise control, a panoramic skylight and a door flyscreen will all come as standard, among other things, on First Line.
Titanium VIP gets you all of that, plus Fiat’s nine-speed automatic gearbox, 16-inch alloy wheels, better storage in the kitchen and washroom, and an external BBQ socket and shower. The extras on Titanium Premium include a six-speed automatic gearbox, 16-inch alloy wheels, an extractor fan and illuminated surround in the kitchen, extra LED lighting, and a special entrance door, among others.
Despite the slimmed-down offering, the firm has lived up to its reputation for innovation by including four new models in its 2021 low-profile line-up.
In descending order of length, these include the 777GA with fixed single beds and 788 with an island bed, the 648 – `a shortened version of the 788 – and the 644 with a transverse bed.
The end-washroom 650, however, is now the shortest ‘van in the range, at 6.5m. Last season’s award-winning 520 has been discontinued.
The 33 Line van conversion range continues with two models, as before. For this season, they come with more storage space provided in the cab, and an optional skyview sunroof.
Chausson: A quick history
Celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, Chausson, a member of the Trigano Group, has built a formidable reputation for design innovation in recent years.
It developed the end washroom dressing room idea, since followed by many competitors, and has experimented with a range of different styles of drop-down beds, including doubles, singles and bunks.
Last year, its 778 featured an island bed that dropped down at the back over a huge ‘his and hers’ washroom. The 711 Travel Line, with cab seats in the back and habitation doors on both sides, also turned heads. Some of these are sure to return post-lockdown.
While in the UK Chausson is known for low-profiles and van conversions (which are only sold here), on the Continent, the company also produces A-classes and runs a mirror production line for its Challenger brand.
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This year, there is the entry-level First Line, with higher-spec models split between Titanium VIP and Titanium Premiun
