Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Chausson V594 Sport Line

Chausson campervans have previously been built by Auto-Trail alongside broadly similar designs for Benimar and Roller Team (as well as the home brand), but limited capacity has seen production move to Italy where the Trigano Group produces a wide range of campers for its multiple marques. 

More significantly, it also means a switch from rear lounge layouts to continental designs with fixed beds. This V594 is one of two models introduced for the 2024 season, the alternative V597 being a single bed model (but the same 5.99m length). 

The spec

Both models come to Britain in plusher Sport Line trim (the entry-level First Line versions aren’t sold here) and they have a bold look that encompasses Campovolo Grey paint, alloy wheels and black graphics (with hexagon patterns and lime highlights). 

Unusually, the Fiat base vehicle comes with nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard (mated to the 140hp engine). Traction Plus, hill descent control, the Eco Pack (including stop/start), cruise control and front fog lamps are also included in the spec.

The layout

There are no surprises with the layout, which features the European staple of a half-dinette lounge and rear  transverse double bed (with the sliding door on the offside). 

Interior décor is less traditional, though, with automotive-style faux leather (including the cab seats – our images show the French spec) and contrasting black doors on the cabinets. 

The beds

You sleep across the campervan in the stern on a mattress measuring 1.85m by 1.47m (usable length from wall to wall is 1.94m). 

Cupboards on both sides (and above the back doors) prevent sitting up, but there are reading lamps on the nearside. There are no side windows here but the barn doors are glazed.

Beneath the bed, the gas locker is on the nearside (you won’t use a lot of LPG as both heating and boiler are fuelled by diesel) and the 85-litre fresh water tank is on the offside, while the central storage space measures 97cm wide and 66cm high. 

For full-height load carrying, simply remove the slats supporting the centre of the bed.

The optional pop-top turns the V594 into a family campervan for an extra £5,790 and its roof bed measures 1.99m by 1.23m with his and hers adjoining mattresses that are unusually thick, at 10cm.

A reading lamp with USB is also fitted up top.

The kitchen

The kitchen is in the usual space adjacent to the sliding door and comes with a Dometic two-burner hob and sink combination unit, while to please us Brits an oven (not shown here) has been added to the inventory. 

The 84-litre Thetford compressor fridge is mounted at waist height with a wardrobe (with 68cm drop) placed below. 

The washroom

In a sector where details count, the washroom could be a deciding factor. 

Its corner basin and opening window are pluses but the shower hose on a riser bar (not using the basin’s tap) and the bifold screen to cover the loo (no curtain here) are the real advantages.

The options

To complete the spec on your Chausson campervan add the Accessories Pack and Connect Pack. 

The Accessories Pack (£3,590) features the awning, solar panel, awning light, flyscreen for the sliding door, cab blinds and dinette bed. 

Then, the Connect Pack (£2,690) comes with 9in multimedia touchscreen including DAB radio, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and steering wheel controls. 

But at over £70k with options there are many other similar models to consider.

Where to buy

Chausson has 14 dealers around the UK. In Northern Ireland it is represented by Central Motorhomes, while in Scotland the dealership is Knowepark Caravans.

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.