Swift Bessacarr 845 2023

The Bessacarr brand was acquired by Swift in 1996 and sold as the company’s most luxurious caravan range.

In 2008, Swift carried out a streamlining process, which saw the caravan manufacturer drop the Bessacarr line-up, although it still used the name for a motorhome range for some years.

That prompted Couplands Caravans, in Lincolnshire, and Swindon Caravans, in Wiltshire, to enter an agreement with Swift to build Conqueror-based models that were badged as Bessacarrs.

From 2014, Couplands Caravans and its subsidiary, Brayford Leisure, became the sole dealers for the range.

For 2023, there are five Bessacarrs: two single-axle models based on Conquerors, and three twin-axle Elegance Grande derivatives, the latter having the new bodyshell introduced for this season.

So, how do Couplands upgrade what is an already high-specification caravan? We went to have a look around the 845 twin-axle caravan, which is fitted with a transverse bed and an end washroom.

Pitch and set-up

Less is often more: this has always been the case with Bessacarrs. The exterior graphics are toned down from the standard Elegance Grande, which to us makes them look even classier. Combined with the stunning new shape, they really do look good.

The Elegance Grande is already very well equipped, but Bessacarr adds E&P levelling, Truma air-con, a 200W solar panel, 5G Wi-Fi and a Specialised Covers Tow-Pro Elite towing cover. That’s as well as the standard fittings of the Elegance Grande, such as ATC and external barbecue points.

Lounge in the Swift Bessacarr 845

Open the door and you’ll find an exclusive doormat with the subtle Bessacarr logo. The spacious lounge, flooded with light thanks to the large windows and sunroof, looks (and is) comfortable, owing to the exclusive Bessacarr upholstery.

Of course, the best caravans will let you sit back and relax, and that’s certainly the case here, where you can enjoy your preferred tipple from the Bessacarr branded glasses while listening to your favourite music, via the DAB radio system or the Sonos Roam Bluetooth speaker which is part of the package.

When the sun sets, you can close the blinds (there are no curtains to the side windows) and turn on a range of lights.

Kitchen in the Swift Bessacarr 845

The spacious kitchen has everything a chef could want, with a dual-fuel four-burner hob, separate oven and grill, microwave and extractor fan. Yes, you get all of these on the standard Elegance Grande. But one big change here is the continuation of the Grau (cream) finish on the lower doors.

This looks much more cohesive than the half-cream, half-wood of standard models.

Rather than a rooflight in the kitchen, you have the air-con, but there’s also an extractor fan below the overhead lockers.

Beds in the Swift Bessacarr 845

The 845 is sure to be used as a luxurious caravan for couples, but should you have visitors, the lounge converts into a huge double bed. (The seats also turn into single beds, suitable for children.)

The transverse island bed has a Duvalay mattress and retracts during the day for easier access to the washroom. This is good, because despite this being an 8ft-wide van, with the bed fully extended, there’s very little room to manoeuvre at the foot.

Washroom in the Swift Bessacarr 845

Although this is not the most spacious washroom, it is extremely well equipped, provides plenty of storage, and certainly has that distinctive ‘wow’ factor.

There is no window, which is slightly surprising at this price point, but thanks to the rooflight above the handbasin, an Omnivent and a copious number of lights, it’s still very bright and airy in here.

Storage in the Swift Bessacarr 845

You could pack a spare kitchen sink in the 845, such is the storage! Chances are, you’d still have empty lockers even then. Okay, you probably wouldn’t want to, but what this means is you get plenty of room for those luxury caravan accessories you want to take with you.

In the lounge, you not only get the usual run of overhead lockers and a central chest of drawers, but to each side of that unit, sizeable shelves, with a 230V socket on one side and two USBs on the other. There’s a wireless charger on the front shelf.

The kitchen has a good supply of cupboards and drawers, with two more cupboards above and below the fridge. In the bedroom, you get a wardrobe either side of the window, one with hanging space, the other opening up to reveal a neat dressing table (complete with 230V socket). Either side of the bed is a large cupboard, with plenty of space for books and the morning cuppa. Added to that, there’s three overhead lockers and underbed storage, too, giving you plenty of room for your caravan essentials.

Verdict

Swift’s Elegance Grande (see: our review of the Swift Elegance Grande 845) is already a superb caravan, but the Bessacarr takes it to the next level. Yes, it costs £5000 more than a ‘standard’ model, but add up all the extras that you get with the Bessacarr, and it soon starts to look like excellent value.

Reason to buy:

• Subtle but significant upgrades to the standard Swift caravan

Reason to avoid:

• No washroom window, tight floorspace when bed is fully extended

Or you could try:

• Coachman Laser 665: it may need a sizeable tow car, but this Coachman tourer has been opulently revamped and should provide some luxury family touring.
• Adria Alpina Rio Grande: if the front kitchen doesn’t bother you, this is a comfortable single-axle tourer.
• Compass Camino 650: this 8ft-wide twin-axle tourer has a floorplan that makes good use of the space and some smart new décor.

Technical spec

• Price: £49,995
• Berths: 4
• MiRO: 1839kg
• Payload: 160kg (387kg with plate upgrade)
• MTPLM: 1996kg (2250kg with plate upgrade)
• Interior length: 6.36m
• Shipping length: 7.98m
• Overall width: 2.45m

Spec includes

• ATC
• Alloys
• E&P levelling
• Air-con
• 5G Wi-Fi
• Tow-Pro Elite towing cover
• Exterior BBQ
• 230V socket and TV point
• Alde heating
• 200W solar panel
• Rear double bed: 1.84 x 1.33m
• Front double: 2.18 x 1.53m

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