PILOTE REFERENCE P730

Number one in France comes to Nottinghamshire

Words and pictures by John Page

With fifty years of manufacturing expertise behind them and a UK presence of better than twenty years, the Pilote brand has acquired a good reputation for design and quality here.  SMC of Newark who made the P730 available to us for this test has only recently been appointed as the Pilote agent for the East Midlands. The brand will sit very well alongside the Globecar Campers and Coachbuilt range of Motorhomes from C.I. of Italy that SMC represent. This 7.33m long Fiat based 730 is a dedicated two-berth Motorhome of Low Profile shape retailing at £56,995 ready to roll. The Reference range occupy the middle price sector of a three Pilote group that have the Explorateur as the priciest, Aventuras costing less and Reference typified by this sleek looking P730 machine.

As number one builder of Motorhomes in France Pilote build on Mercedes and Fiat an impressive line-up of vehicles with a specification choice that’ll raise your eyebrows. Vehicle lengths from 6.00m up to 8.59m give a customer choice of Compact to Pullman size Motorhome with options to satisfy the urge to go one better or keep it simple. The machine we have here at 7.33m long I would describe as medium size, highly manoeuvreable when needs be, reasonably economic and pleasant to live with whatever the season and wherever the mood decides – and that is what Motor Caravans are all about. Where to go this time? We are fortunate indeed that Milestone Campsite is only a few miles up the A1 at Cromwell where the welcome, the scenery and the sunshine were something special.

CONSTRUCTION

Designed specifically for Motorhomes the wide track Fiat Chassis gives a rock steady foundation for this dedicated two-berth Profile machine. The body proper is of composite construction with an overlap roof for a first class body seal. The walls have an aluminium outer shell, with a roof surface of GRP. Styrofoam is the insulation material throughout. The double floor containing the fresh water tank is heated and insulated. Good access to the tank is via a trap door beneath the bed base.

For the floor plan the dominant feature is the island bed, twinned with the garage. Shower and washroom are within the bedroom and the washroom door at night time rotates through 180 degrees for bedroom privacy. Both lounge and galley are conventional of design but clever of application and robust of build. For instance the table, that most essential item – so often awkward of adjustment, is here a masterpiece.  It moves forward, backwards, up or down simply and smoothly to lock in the favoured position – and each movement is smooth and quick to lock in place. Almost the equal of a dragonfly’s magical manoeuvrability. A first class control panel is both informative and simple to read and more commonsense thinking has a gas locker at a comfortable height for access and the swapping of cylinders. All exterior doors and locks were smooth and positive in action. Motorhome garages today are not uncommon but good efficient anchor rails and lots of lashing points within for your trail bike or Jet Ski like this are less common.

A TOUTE VITESSE

It had to happen, Profiles are now the most popular of Motorhome types sold in Europe. The reasons are simple – they are aerodynamic provoking less noise and improved passage through the airstream. The best fuel consumption on account of that shape and more light from the skydome that such a shape makes possible and for those who know what aesthetics are about, a cracking looking vehicle to delight the fortunate owner. Fiat must take some credit too, in designing the cab shape that blends so well with the coachwork, in recognising the need to design and produce a chassis, engine and cab oriented to the leisure as distinct from a commercial van vehicle. And build a construction plant to make these specialised chassis. The ride quality is good and with 130bhp of turbo diesel power under the bonnet and six gear rations to transmit that power Reference P 730 is a Grand Touring vehicle. Yes Motorhomes have come a long way from the Sixties when the vehicles we now know as leisure vehicles were often modified gown vans. Something else that has changed are leaf springs, in this case of long, flat and wide shape that flexes beautifully and together with the anti-roll bars, gives a good predictable ride quality. Do you really need 130bhp? On the basis that a more powerful engine working easily can produce a better mpg figure than a lower powered one, yes. It really depends on your driving technique and your priorities. I’ve forgotten torque (turning power) that allows swifter acceleration and the flexibility to dawdle smoothly – you have it here, all three hundred and twenty Newton Meters of it across an rpm band from 2,000 to 3,000 rpm. All that and hydraulic tappets!

I’m not sure about the faux wood dashboard trim but it does relieve the otherwise dull grey look of the dashboard with its Limousine connotations. Another benefit of going Fiat is the reassurance of assistance pretty well anywhere in Europe because it is such a popular brand. One final point – the long wheelbase dimension and relatively short body overhang are key factors in the excellent ride quality so make do with just the one jet ski or you’ll spoil it.

GALLIC CHIC

While we’ve no idea who Amande was it’s the word Pilote use to describe the delightful brown and cream faux leather fabric scheme for the five seats in the lounge/diner quarters. On a practical note the brown colour was warm to the touch and the cream was cool. Micro fibre is the technical name for it. The seat plan suggests four maybe five would be comfortable around the table without knocking elbows. Either way the multi-angled table will cope. Altogether a delightful lounge, for the space, light and genuine comfort especially when the sun came out and we slid back all the roof vents and the skylight above the cab. In cooler times there will be appreciation for the fact that the side seats have airspace between the cushions and the wall – it’s all about warmth. Good engineering has achieved an excellent robust sliding bracket for the TV giving a good view all round and secure bracketing for travel.

SLEEPING

Sumptuous is an island bed measuring 200cm x 140cm and the placing of the shower cubicle and washroom in opposite corners of the bedroom is both logical and practical so that each facility can be in use at any time. It’s a sprung interior mattress on a slatted base rising effortlessly on gas struts for access underneath. There’s space there for a laundry container, stowage and access into the double floor to check the fresh water tank and the plumbing. His and hers wardrobes on each side of the bed and roof lockers are just part of the overall wardrobe space.

KITCHEN

Unusual, exciting and innovative – the ‘S’ shaped structure, its worktop and the position of the three-burner hob are well planned with safety and good access in mind. There are separate dedicated stowage arrangements for fresh food, tinned food, packets and bottles. A highly effective extractor fan is directly above the burners, gas isolator taps are handy above the cutlery drawer and roof lockers for the crocks and glassware are all within arms reach. Sliding wire trays help to keep the fruit and vegetables fresh and various racks for sauces and spices are readily to hand with out cluttering up the worktop. A really neat waste container in the corner of the worktop is just where it should be for the scraps, peel and stuff every imaginative cook generates while conjuring up the inevitable master pieces of culinary art. Joking apart if you’re eating less than nourishing meals from this particularly galley with its 149-litre fridge/freezer, then the recipe book is out of date. And, there’s even a spindle for the kitchen rolls.

WASHROOM

Absolutely ideal is the placing of the shower cubicle in the left hand front corner of the bedroom and the washroom plus toilet in the opposite corner. No queues here and the sensible size of the wash bowl, the ceramic bowl cassette and good locker capacity point to planning from experience. Mirrors on the back of the lockers were at a convenient height and the overall locker capacity is more than capable to stow towels and every bit of toiletry and medicinal gear you wouldn’t be without. Shaver socket and brackets for tooth mugs of course so that all together our P 730 washroom ranks as one of the best for 2011.

STOWAGE

Today’s Motor Caravan with its all season capability will likely experience all the temperature changes that Europe North, South, East or West can create. Pilote are mindful of this so space for the summer or winter wardrobe and bedding space is exceedingly generous. Add the garage and the roof rack for sports and outdoor living tackle – P 730 can take it.

SUMMARY

‘If it looks right then it is right’ so goes the old adage. There’s a lot of truth in it because balance, shape and form need good design and a commonsense approach to get the equation right. Pilote have it and P 730 expresses it. To use it was to enjoy it.

Eating, lounging, sleeping or unwinding everything worked as the planners intended.

Did I have any gripes? Yes, I would like to have motored it all the way it to the Mediterranean but it wasn’t possible. If you hanker for a medium size Motorhome with an island bed, stacks of stowage at a fair price then try this Profile and compare it with the competition.

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification: Pilote Reference P730, two-berth Profile Motorhome

Price of vehicle tested: £56,995 on the road

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: SMC Motorhomes Newark, Northern Road, Newark, Notts, NG24 2ET, Tel: 0844 4705291

CONVERSION

Overall length:  7.33m

Overall width:  2.30m

Overall height: 2.92m

MPTLM: 3500kg

Payload:  395kg

Construction: Aluminium and GRP exterior with Styrofoam insulation for walls, floor and roof

Fresh water capacity: 130-litres

Waste water capacity:  85-litres

Gas storage capacity: one 13kg and one11kg cylinders

Auxiliary battery: 104Ah

Refrigerator: Thetford 149-litre fridge/freezer for gas/mains or battery operation

Water heater: Truma Combi 600w space and water heater

Lighting:  Spotlighting throughout

Upholstery: Amande fabric in brown and cream

Other equipment: cab air con, Radio/CD in cab

BASE VEHICLE

Type: Fiat long wheelbase Motorhome chassis cab

Power unit: four-cylinder 2287cc Multijet turbo diesel

Maximum power: 130bhp @ 3600rpm

Maximum torque: 320Nm @ 2,000-3,000rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion

Braking: ABS and EBD system to disc brakes

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption:  estimated 28-32mpg

Maximum speed: 85-90mph

Comfortable cruising speed: 60-70mph