COACHMAN VIP 575. Coachman s best-selling caravan, the transverse island-bed model in the top-spec VIP range, gets a totally new look for 2018

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Clyde Dixon
5 years ago
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8m Overall length 7.43m Width 2.31m Headroom 1.95m WEIGHT MIRO 1499kg MTPLM 1655kg Minimum towcar weight Novice 1947kg Expert 1655kg See the video review at caravan.

And the range has expanded, to nine models, to encompass the twin-axle Lasers. These two ranges were always parallel in terms of specification, so it makes sense to bring them together under one name.

1 x Coachman T x W xt W coachman.co.uk COACHMAN VIP 575 Coachman s best-selling caravan, the transverse island-bed model in the top-spec VIP range, gets a totally new look for 2018 FACT FILE Berths 4 Body length 5.8m Overall length 7.43m Width 2.31m Headroom 1.95m WEIGHT MIRO 1499kg MTPLM 1655kg Minimum towcar weight Novice 1947kg Expert 1655kg See the video review at caravan.ma/vanreviews CARAVAN A total restyling, both outside and inside, marks the new model year for the VIP range, with rounded front and rear panels and changes to the lounge. And the range has expanded, to nine models, to encompass the twin-axle Lasers. These two ranges were always parallel in terms of specification, so it makes sense to bring them together under one name. We chose the layout that has proved to be the best-seller VIP for this review and spent a day at Coachman s factory in Hull to take an in-depth look at this popular caravan s new styling for 2018, before the range s public unveiling. Coachman enjoys a strong brand loyalty for its VIP range in particular and we think the new, stunning, smoothly rounded body lines, grey front skirt, black outline above the windows and smart red and grey graphics will have strong appeal among aficionados of VIPs. On the road and on a pitch, these caravans look, instantly, every inch the top-quality, luxury caravan that they are. Does the new interior match the exterior s superior looks? Well, yes, definitely. But before we investigate inside the 575, we have some exterior exploration to do. Along with a completely reshaped front panel comes a unique gas bottle and storage configuration. There are now two compartments at the front, one for gas, the other for storage. Each is 70cm tall, 64cm wide and 43cm at its deepest point, tapering slightly to follow the body line. The nearside locker is fitted for two 6 or 7kg gas cylinders. The offside one is plenty large enough for essential equipment including loo chemicals, chocks, mains cable and waste water piping, all of which will stay in place on tow much better in a smaller locker than sharing space with gas containers in a compartment spanning the whole with of the front. Importantly, the wideopening doors will make lifting gas cylinders and other items in and out really easy. Coachman has arguably set a new benchmark in front locker design; we love it for its practicality. So, what of the new interior? The introduction of twin exterior lockers enables the central portion of the lounge to reach right to the front of the caravan which was, in previous models, occupied by the full-width gas bottle compartment. So the windowsill becomes deeper than in previous models. The drawer unit underneath no longer intrudes into the lounge. The windowsill s new curved shape allows for the armrests to be recessed into it. The result is that the usable seating area is slightly longer. Elsewhere, the new 575 s layout is very similar to the tried, trusted and very popular previous model, with an island bed aligned transversely and a shower room spanning the whole width of the caravan at the rear. Showering B The shower room has the same components in the same place as the 2017 model the shower is on the nearside, loo on the offside, basin in the centre. But that's where any comparison with CARAVAN PERFORMANCE GUIDE - OUR A* to D RATING 92 October 2017

CARAVAN BUYER 25,955 + 545 delivery Soft greys and mustard yellow shades look classically appealing previous 575s ends. For the styling is totally different.

The designers have taken full advantage of the new VIP rear panel shape and have recessed a mirrored cabinet into it. Rows of bright white lights outline each edge.

2 CARAVAN BUYER 25, delivery Soft greys and mustard yellow shades look classically appealing previous 575s ends. For the styling is totally different. Even the Dometic loo is a new style, more akin to a very modern domestic toilet than the familiar caravan necessity, with a squarer shape and more angular line for the flush tank. The designers have taken full advantage of the new VIP rear panel shape and have recessed a mirrored cabinet into it. Rows of bright white lights outline each edge. Beneath it, an acrylic splashback introduces an abstract geometric pattern in softest greys and white. More high-end domestic-influenced styling appears here in the form of a mixer tap and separate control, set into the splashback panel above the washbasin. The shower cubicle, a good-sized 65cm x 80cm, contains two shelves for shampoo containers. The large, clear door pivots on a hinge positioned slightly inside the door frame; that s for space reasons but somehow it adds to Words: Val Chapman Photos: Richard Chapman the excellent styling of the whole shower room. Floor space isn t massive, at 73cm deep (hence only a B rating) but most buyers will consider it to be fine. Sleeping A The bed retracts for daytime mode, as do almost all transverse island beds. The corridor space is a generous 54cm. The bed is 1.35m wide and, when extended for nighttime use, it s 1.87m long; that s 6 feet 2 inches in old money and if you re above that height, in this layout, your feet can overhang the edge of the bed. The lounge introduces a new method of converting to a double bed. Well, not strictly new, for roll-out, webbing-linked slats have been around for a very long time in many makes of caravan. Coachman, though, moved away from that design a few years ago, introducing metal- * EXCEPTIONAL VERY GOOD GOOD AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE Facebook /caravanmag Web caravanmagazine.co.uk October

Coachman VIP 575 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Kitchen styling is ultra-modern white and grey The VIP 575 is stunning from every angle!

the front isn t ideal framed central bed sections that pulled out from under the offside settee. The downside was that this frame slightly impeded storage access.

And there s another change that makes bed making easy: there are no knee-rolls, so when you turn over the seat sections to make the mattress, you don t have to turn them around, to place the knee

3 Coachman VIP 575 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Kitchen styling is ultra-modern white and grey The VIP 575 is stunning from every angle! Fridge, microwave and extra work surface VIPs come complete with ridged kitchen drainers so that plates stand vertically WHAT WE LIKE The twin exterior front storage locker arrangement The washbasin tap set into the wall! The triple-mirrored cabinet also recessed into the rear wall The floor-level strip of light in the kitchen WHAT WE DON T LIKE Absence of front apertures to the under-settee lockers Only one drawer at the front isn t ideal framed central bed sections that pulled out from under the offside settee. The downside was that this frame slightly impeded storage access. Now, slats are back in VIPs and all Coachman models. And there s another change that makes bed making easy: there are no knee-rolls, so when you turn over the seat sections to make the mattress, you don t have to turn them around, to place the knee roll area against the walls. Storage B There s exterior access to the under-bed space; that s how you d get folding chairs into here. The metal cross-shaped bed retraction device inevitably restricts apertures from within the caravan, but good organisation about what goes where can usually overcome this. And of course there s unrestricted space under the nearside settee. Although it s top-opening only (no front drop-down hatch), the lid holds up easily on its substantial springs. There s only one drawer, now, in the central front unit, with a drop-down-door cabinet beneath it. Will you miss more drawers here? We think not, given the 575 s four lounge head-height lockers. Dining B The 32cm-wide dining table that extends from under the windowsill creates a level surface that s 75cm deep; adequate for quick lunches, breakfasts and more than adequate for coffeebreak snacks. The dining table is housed in its own slim cabinet on the fore end of the kitchen. Lounging A The settees are 4cm lower than those in previous models; these are perhaps better suited to buyers of small stature, and somehow makes the lounge look a little more open-plan. Or is it the delightfully plain upholstery in almost white with a pale grey fleck? Teamed with more greys, plus beautiful mustardgold shades, the new VIP lounge look is divine. Kitchen A If you dislike flat caravan drainers, with no ridges to keep plates upright to drain, you ll love Coachman s bespoke new drainer, complete with a lip to channel water into the smart, black enamelled sink. That factor contributed towards the A rating here. Three deep drawers, each 60cm wide, provide The twin exterior locker design keeps small items separate from gas bottles, so minimising the amount of moving around on tow 94 October 2017

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Coachman VIP 575 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT The bed extends to 1.

containers A corner dressing table complete with a socket for a hairdryer the main storage area. There s a fitted cutlery drawer opposite, above the fridge.

Styling is impressive in the kitchen, too, with the same geometric-patterned splashback as in the shower room, a new Dometic cooker with bold grill and oven handle design, and lighting not just

Towing B We ve towed VIP 575s before and found their stability to be impressive and their cornering nicely predictable.

Before the official public unveiling, understandably Coachman didn t want us to take it out on roads. ATC is present for extra safety, as you d expect on a high-spec caravan.

5 Coachman VIP 575 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT The bed extends to 1.87m, that's 6ft 2in VIPs come with a ridged drainer shaped with a lip that ensures water drains back into the sink The shower cubicle, a goodsized 65cm x 80cm, contains two shelves for shampoo containers A corner dressing table complete with a socket for a hairdryer the main storage area. There s a fitted cutlery drawer opposite, above the fridge. Storage is fine and so is the amount of surface, when you take into account the area above the fridge. Styling is impressive in the kitchen, too, with the same geometric-patterned splashback as in the shower room, a new Dometic cooker with bold grill and oven handle design, and lighting not just beneath the top lockers but beneath the drawers, too, casting bright white light onto the floor to make sure you notice the soft grey (high-quality, deep pile) carpet. Towing B We ve towed VIP 575s before and found their stability to be impressive and their cornering nicely predictable. This time, our tow test had to be brief our only opportunity was to take the 575 for a quick spin at the end of Coachman's 2018 model preview event. Before the official public unveiling, understandably Coachman didn t want us to take it out on roads. ATC is present for extra safety, as you d expect on a high-spec caravan. VERDICT The twin exterior front locker design is practical, keeping small items separate from gas bottles, in their own locker so minimising the amount of moving around during towing (we ve all arrived at a site to an untidy gas bottle compartment!). We love the deeper windowsill and its recessed shape to integrate the armrests. We love the sunny-hue mustard gold accent colour against the ultra-modern plain grey backcloth; as well as the minor styling touches; the floor-level lighting in the kitchen, and the amazing wall-mounted washbasin tap. INSURANCE Annual quote based on new-for-old cover with maximum discount. T W shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk October 2017

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