New for 2022 - Pilote and Le Voyageur’s new motorhomes and campervans revealed

Introducing Pilote and Le Voyageur

French manufacturer, Pilote, is one of the oldest established imported brands in the UK and it has a premium A-class offering in Le Voyageur

Both Pilote and Le Voyageur have been on our shores for many years and have built up a loyal following of UK buyers attracted by their Gallic designs, high build quality and wide range of layouts. Now, both marques have just revealed their 2022 ranges and, in this spotlight feature, we pick out some of the highlight campervans, low-profiles and A-classes from their new-season line-ups.

Pilote motorhomes 2022

Significant growth

This French manufacturer continues with its plans for significant growth and is expecting to double production over the next three years to between 12,000 and 13,000 motorhomes and campervans, with campervans making up a major part of this growth. It has a wide range of models, from campervans right through all the variations and sizes of coachbuilt motorhomes to luxury A-class models. For those lucky enough to be considering more luxurious models, Pilote’s sister marque, Le Voyageur, should be on the list.

Changes for 2022

Pilote has made some significant changes for 2022. Gone are the well-known Essentiel and Sensation specification levels. Évidence, which was new last year, stays with its high spec: everything from a reversing camera and solar panel to alloys and the automatic gearbox come as standard and the Évidence range gains one new layout – the rear lounge P696U – which brings the total number of Évidence models to six, including one A-class. As one would expect with such a high standard specification, there is no need for an options list on these Évidence models, and they proved a big success during the 2021 season.

The Évidence models also get a 9in Pioneer multimedia unit with sat-nav, and an electric parking brake which will be available as an option.

New Pilote Expression motorhomes for 2022

Expression customisation

If the one-spec-one-price approach of the Évidence models is not for you, then Pilote has the answer with its alternative – the Expression – which has replaced both the Essentiel and Sensation.

35 models and over 100 options

The choice of Expression models is vast – buyers can choose from 35 models from 5.99m to 7.81m in length, as well as up to 100 options. Based on the new facelifted and better equipped Fiat Ducato, the Expression models come with lots of extras as standard in the cab, including manual air-con, cruise control, passenger airbag, and Stop&Start, as well as other touches such as Fiat’s new steering wheel, etc. The optional Lux Pack 2 will add the full digital dashboard, 10in radio/sat-nav screen, automatic air-con and keyless entry.

New Pilote campervans for 2022

Much of the growth in the motorhome market over the last five years – growth that has accelerated over the last 18 months – has been in sales of campervans. This part of the market is huge, with some estimates suggesting sales of campervans now account for 50% or more of the entire UK leisure vehicle market and even more on the Continent. It’s no surprise then that Pilote has launched a new campervan for 2022.

New V633M campervan

Pilote’s UK campervan range will continue to include the rear lounge layout developed especially for British buyers, but Europe-wide there will also be a new addition, the V633M (pictured above). This is Pilote’s first van conversion based on the extra-high H3 version of the Ducato and is also an extra-long (6.36m) panel van. The key feature of the new campervan is an electrically adjustable rear bed that can rise right up to the ceiling to maximise load carrying; say, for loading bikes, or even a motorbike, inside. The height of the bed can be adjusted for sleeping.

There are windows at both the typical level as well as in the high roof to provide light and ventilation. The V633M has the typical half-dinette lounge, a kitchen with high-mounted 90-litre compressor fridge, and a washroom with slide-away cassette toilet for more showering space, while a full-height walk-through into the cab takes advantage of the H3 Ducato’s extra headroom. It will be available to order in Standard or Premium finish, with prices starting at £53,990.

New Galaxy range model G740FC

In other changes to the 2022 line-up from Pilote, we see a new model in the Galaxy range – the G740FC – which features a rear island double bed layout. In addition, all 2022-season Pilote Vans also benefit from a second leisure battery as standard.

Pilote's new Joa Camp brand coming soon

Pilote has also launched into the entry-level market, which it says accounts for 30% of all new motorhome and campervan sales, with a new brand, called Joa Camp. You can read more about this all-new budget range in the October 2021 issue of MMM magazine, Britain’s best-selling motorhome magazine.

The all-new Pilote P696U

New rear lounge option

Already, Pilote has proved the popularity of large lounge layouts that have drop-down beds instead of fixed beds. Now, with the new P696U, there’s a rear lounge option, too, which is sure to prove popular with ex-caravanning British buyers who tend to gravitate to large rear lounges. This new P696U is available in both the well-equipped Évidence range, as well as a more configurable Expression.

Fabulous layout

The generous U-shaped seating in the new model can seat up to seven people around a central fold-in-half table, while above is a 2.00m by 1.60m electric drop-down bed that lowers almost to sofa level, leaving a small seating area to aid undressing.

The kitchen (with 152-litre fridge and an oven for the UK) is on the nearside, opposite the habitation door, while the shower and wardrobe sit opposite the WC at the front of the vehicle where they can be closed off with sliding doors – both from the cab and the rest of the living area – to form a full-width changing room.

Exciting developments

This new P696U is 6.99m long and has a payload of up to 625kg. It has a small rear garage, as well as an external storage drawer in the nearside skirt. A particular novelty is the small seat just inside the door, provided as somewhere to take off your shoes before stowing them in the rack underneath. The P696U in Évidence spec is priced at £64,500.

Le Voyageur luxury motorhomes

New Héritage motorhomes range

The big news from this luxury French brand is that it’s now not only building A-class models on the Fiat Ducato but has also launched a new range entirely based on the Mercedes Sprinter. The new Héritage range name reflects that it is built on a Mercedes, just like the original motorhomes from Le Voyageur 40 years ago. However, rather than expanding its line-up, Le Voyageur has reduced its portfolio for 2022, dropping the Iveco-based Signature and flagship Liner models.

A great line-up

This makes the 2022 line-up a choice of the Fiat Ducato Al-Ko-based Classic range of 15 models or the new flagship Héritage. The new Héritage range is based on the latest front-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with the 143bhp engine (177bhp optional), with the six-speed manual gearbox (nine-speed auto is an option), coupled to an Al-Ko chassis. There are four models in two lengths – 7.83m with a 4,500kg gross weight or 8.5m and a 5,500kg chassis.

Layout choices

The shorter vehicles are the LVXH 7.9 CF (rear island bed) and the GJF (twin rear single beds). The same choice of bedroom layouts is available in the two top-of-the-range LVXH 8.5 models. All versions feature a one-piece polyester front and rear panel. The interiors have light wood and white cabinetry with smooth curves. Externally, the new Héritage models have a slightly curved roof and a dominant grille with a large central star. A 26cm-deep double floor is standard.

Drone View 360-degree visibility

In the cab, Mercedes’ MBUX display is included, as is a new Drone View system, which gives 360-degree helicopter view of the motorhome for easier manoeuvring. The system also includes a dashcam and records images on a 4GB memory card. Classic models (on Fiat) will also, again, be offered with a pack of extensive additional equipment, similar to last season’s fortieth anniversary models.

Details of what is included in the new Special Enhancement Pack have yet to be finalised but what is confirmed is it is available on four Classic models – the LV 7.8 CF, 7.8 GJF, 8.5 CF and 8.5 GJF.

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