New-for-2018 Coachman caravans

For 2018, Coachman has returned to being a three-range manufacturer.

This is because the formerly all-twin-axle Lasers have become the twin-axle part of the VIP range.

The VIPs themselves have had a revamp, in particular with a new ABS front panel incorporating two single corner gas-bottle lockers at the front of the van on the outside, that will open in production models on gas struts.

Coachman says this will make the gas bottles much easier to reach, while moving the lockers to the side has enabled designers to move the front chest inside further forward, significantly expanding the total area of the front lounge.

The fully bonded aerodynamic body shell, with new graphics, now includes a grey cant rail. You get an external barbecue point and mains socket as well as 10-inch Falcon alloy wheels.

Inside the new VIP range of Coachman caravans

On the inside, the major new initiative is that Coachman has opted for Fenix worktops that are already a feature in some Swift caravans. These are scratch-resistant and can be relatively easily thermally repaired.

VIPs are also all-Dometic vans now. That means in the washroom you get a toilet that resembles much more closely the kind you might expect to find at home.

Two VIP models – the 460 and the 520 – also feature an integrated laundry bag in the wardrobe.

The only new model in the whole Coachman range – the VIP 570 – had not been finished in time for the launch, but will be on display at this October’s show at the NEC Birmingham.

It marks a return to the rear children’s dinette layout Coachman last produced several years ago, although this time it will be in the upmarket VIP range for the first time.

However, the VIP 560, with a fixed nearside rear bed and an end washroom, has been dropped.

Elsewhere in the range…

Fenix worktops are also a new feature in the five-strong 2018-season Pastiche portfolio.

The major change in the seven-model Vision range for this year, meanwhile, is the introduction of a panoramic sunroof at the front.

Coachman says ditching the Laser brand is all part of an attempt to give the customer greater clarity.

Although prices had not been published at the time of writing, the firm also hopes that by slightly ‘de-speccing’ the former Laser models this year (the VIP 620, 650 and 675) it will be able to offer them at a considerably more competitive price.

In essence, these changes have involved making the solar panel and the Tracker Retrieve satellite tracking system optional extras, although the latter is now offered as an option across all three ranges.

2018 Coachman caravans at-a-glance

Coachman Vision 450 – 2 berths, shipping length 6.26m, interior length 4.63m, end washroom
Coachman Vision 520 – 3 berths, shipping length 6.93m, interior length 5.30m, side dinette, end washroom
Coachman Vision 545 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.43m, interior length 5.80m, island bed
Coachman Vision 565 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.38m, interior length 5.75m, fixed single beds, end washroom
Coachman Vision 575 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.43m, interior length 5.80m, transverse island bed, end washroom
Coachman Vision 580 – 5 berths, shipping length 7.38m, interior length 5.75m, side dinette, rear bunks
Coachman Vision 630 – 5 berths, shipping length 7.97m, interior length 6.34m, side dinette, rear bunks, end washroom
Coachman Pastiche 460 – 2 berths, shipping length 6.26m, interior length 4.63m, end washroom
Coachman Pastiche 520 – 3 berths, shipping length 6.93m, interior length 5.30m, side dinette, end washroom
Coachman Pastiche 545 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.43m, interior length 5.80m, island bed
Coachman Pastiche 565 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.38m, interior length 5.75m, fixed single beds, end washroom
Coachman Pastiche 575 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.43m, interior length 5.80m, transverse island bed, end washroom
Coachman VIP 460 – 2 berths, shipping length 6.38m, interior length 4.75m, end washroom
Coachman VIP 520 – 3 berths, shipping length 7.05m, interior length 5.42m, side dinette, end washroom
Coachman VIP 545 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.43m, interior length 5.80m, island bed
Coachman VIP 565 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.37m, interior length 5.74m, fixed single beds, end washroom
NEW! Coachman VIP 570 – 5 berths, shipping length TBC, rear bunks and dinette with additional bunk
Coachman VIP 575 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.43m, interior length 5.80m, transverse island bed, end washroom
Coachman VIP 620 – 3 berths, shipping length 7.90m, interior length 6.27m, side dinette, end washroom, twin-axle
Coachman VIP 650 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.90m, interior length 6.27m, central washroom, rear island bed, twin-axle
Coachman VIP 675 – 4 berths, shipping length 7.90m, interior length 6.27m, rear transverse island bed, end washroom, twin-axle

There’s a return to the rear children’s dinette layout Coachman last produced several years ago

PeterBaber

Peter Baber is Reviews Editor of both Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan. He has been reviewing motorhomes for the best part of a decade now. His first caravan reviews date back to the early 1990s when he first worked on Practical Caravan, before he embarked on a 20-year career in business journalism which saw him edit a wide variety of magazines, and launch a few too, including one that won an award. Although he enjoyed that, he always knew he wanted to come back. Peter reports on all the new models that make it to dealer forecourts each season, giving his judgement online and in magazine reviews. He has twice been shortlisted for a Caravan Writers Guild award. When he is not working, apart from going on motorhome trips himself (mostly local to where he lives in West Yorkshire, but also last year right across France) he likes trying to write novels, cooking, throwing the odd pot, and has just taken up tennis.