New caravan models for 2011 - Coachman

IN response to the rise in the number of large families buying caravans, Coachman is to add a six-berth twin-axle model to its lowest-priced Amara range.

The twin-lounge 655/6 will be on show for the first time at The Lawns caravan show near Hull, on 4 and 5 September.

We say the whole Amara range steals Coachman’s show for 2011 with big, bold, grey graphics, deep grey wheel spats and graphite-coloured alloy wheels. The headroom will go up by 5cm to 1.96m.

A raft of new specification and visual changes will give the Amara shock absorbers and an awning light that creates a gutter to take rain water to each side so that it can’t drip down in the doorway.

The new, six-berth model will bring the layout that’s popular in the much more expensive Laser range down to Amara prices. It will have a full single bed length lounge at both ends, with bunks rising from above the rear settees. The kitchen will be large and the offside washroom will contain a separate shower.

All Coachman models will have a redesigned front bed mechanism that moves away from front-stored roll-out slats. The base of the offside settee slides out to meet the nearside settee.

Raising and lowering the bed bases to gain access to the lockers is easy and light work as they’re supported on substantial gas-filled struts. It’s an impressively sturdily-engineered system.

But it sacrifices front access to the offside locker, although nearside lockers will still have a front opening. You gain a drawer; front central chests will now have three drawers because it’s no longer necessary to make space here for bed slats.


Amaras will get restyled woodwork, with the use of cream extending from the kitchen into the lounge, in the form of a deep edge to each locker. Soft furnishings will have suede-effect edges to seat backs and armrests. The main fabric is a swirly mixture of creams with blue hues for interest.

The effect, taking in the shiny curtains which appear in all ranges, pale granite-effect worktops and pale cabinetry, is light and bright. Additional spec for 2011 will extend to a Pioneer CD/MP3 player with iPod/MP3 connection; that will be a feature of all Coachman ranges.

The VIP range will get a new 560/4 fixed-bed layout with an end washroom. There’s a new Laser, a 640 four-berth with fixed bed and end bathroom. All four ranges will have shock absorbers and graphite shadow-effect alloy wheels.

Lasers and VIPs go into 2011 with unchanged fabrics. The VIP’s vibrant limey-lemon cushions and leaves in the seating and the Laser’s plain pale brown with dark brown flecks stay for another year. Pastiches get a totally new interior look, employing turquoise as the theme.

Rich, deep turquoise scatter cushions and more of the same brilliant colour in a sweeping pattern on the tops of the double armrests make Pastiches look like thoroughly modern caravans. Those two-section armrests, for some years a Coachman hallmark, create a style that helps to make the difference.

Prices? Not revealed yet. They’ll be announced in early September.

Dealer websites include:

www.glossopcaravans.co.uk

www.crossburncaravans.co.uk

www.caravanbuys.com

www.kimberleycaravans.co.uk

More details in the September 2010 issue of Go Caravan magazine.

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