Pilote

The 400th issue of Camping-Car Magazine has been published. The publication, dedicated to motorhomes, dates back to May 1978, when it launched as Le Van et le Camping-Car and was renamed Camping-Car after 42 issues. The 132-page anniversary edition, on sale at newsstands and in the online store for €5.95, features the history of five brands — Rapido, Hymer, Pilote, Hobby and Notin — 400 travel destinations with parking options, and a list of 100 selected French stopover sites, among which readers vote for the 'Aire of the Year 2026'.

Nelo Fernández, who lives in a 1989 Peugeot J5 Pilote R470 motorhome, has estimated his monthly expenses at €740. The budget includes food (€200), diesel (€20), propane (€35.86), laundry (€30), hygiene (€30), phone (€28), medication (€30), meals out (€87), insurance (€37.50), roadworthiness test (€2.92), maintenance reserve (€83) and a motorcycle (€88). The figure depends on driving the motorhome only about 100 km per month, sleeping in free areas and using a motorcycle for commuting. Fernández also rents out a house, the income from which is excluded from the calculation, and warns that his budget is not universal.

The Lume Ranger wins Caravan of the Year, while the Sunlight IBEX 4x4 takes Camper of the Year. The jury, chaired by Leo Diepemaat, judged innovation and ease of use.

Pilote has unveiled its 2027 motorhome lineup. Galaxy integrated models receive a completely redesigned front end with LED headlights in a wide black band connected to the grille, and a rear similar to Atlas profiled models. A reversing camera is now standard. The catalog includes about twenty integrated models in Expression and Evidence trims, plus several on AL-KO chassis, with lengths from 7.11 m to 7.97 m. The G690 D compact model without a permanent bed gets a redesigned dressing area with modular shelves and a 25% increase in storage volume. All models feature compressor refrigerators and a Truma Combi 6 DE hybrid diesel/electric heater; optional lithium batteries of 200 or 300 Ah, a 2000 W inverter and 210 W monocrystalline solar panels are available. A 7-inch multimedia screen is standard.

French travelers Pierre and Edward, based in Bordeaux, spent summer 2026 touring Portugal and Spain in a Pilote P720 motorhome. They reported frequent misconduct by other motorhome users, including noise, illegal waste dumping, and setting up tables in unauthorized areas. According to them, such incidents occur more often at free parking spots. Edward said he confronted a Frenchman playing loud music at a parking area in Portugal. The couple calls on motorhomers to respect local rules and leave places as they found them.

The Pilote P720U Expression features a layout with a large U-shaped rear lounge instead of a fixed rear bed. During the day it provides a living area with up to six dining seats, and at night a 160 × 200 cm drop-down bed lowers above it. The lounge can optionally be converted into a second bed of the same size. The rear section also includes a separate shower with 195 cm of headroom, a toilet and a dressing room.

French manufacturer Pilote has unveiled its 2027 lineup of 25 models: nine Fiat-based profiles, twelve Fiat-based integrals and four narrow Ford-based profiles. Models P620D, P690S and P720P are dropped.

The 60th Salon du Véhicule de Loisirs runs from 26 September to 4 October 2026 at Paris-Le Bourget. 150 exhibitors and 650 models are expected.

At Caravan Salon 2026 in Düsseldorf, six integrated motorhomes for the 2027 model year were presented with unconventional designs. Manufacturers from Spain, France, Italy and Germany are deliberately moving away from the classic white look to stand out in a saturated market. The new models include: Benimar Amphitryon A981 (from 79,990 euros, Fiat Ducato, 180 hp, length 5.98 m), Frankia Noctra Liner 7.6 L (from 157,900 euros, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, length 7.80 m), Mobilvetta K-Yacht Tekno Design (from 144,900 euros, Fiat Ducato, length 7.56 m), Mooveo INT-78 QBF Alko (from 88,867 euros, Fiat Ducato, length 7.89 m), Pilote Galaxy G740FGJ (from 87,900 euros, Fiat Ducato, length 7.59 m) and Roller Team Zefiro 287 (from 86,440 euros, Power Edition from 91,490 euros, Fiat Ducato, 140 hp, length 7.45 m).

From 14 to 27 September 2026, six motorhome-related events will be held in the French regions of Normandy, Gironde, Var and Occitanie. These include sales exhibitions in Bordeaux (around 400 motorhomes, campervans and vans, admission €3), Brignoles (over 200 vehicles) and Rouen (200 vehicles, free entry), as well as open days at Horizon Caen in Verson featuring 2027 models and free parking by reservation. Manufacturer TPL will hold private presentations of three new models developed with Pilote as part of its 30th-anniversary tour, at locations in Occitanie not disclosed in advance. The Caen International Fair will include a motorhome and leisure area with several dealers.

For the 2027 season, Pilote has revised the front-end styling of its motorhomes and reworked the 690D layout without a floor-level bed. The models will be presented at the Paris-Le Bourget show from 26 September to 4 October. The garage has been enlarged by 25%, and the length is 7.11 m for the integral and 7.02 m for the low-profile. The layout is available in Evidence and Expression trims.

French dealer TPL is marking its 30th anniversary with the Perle Edition Tour, a series of seven private event days across southern France. In partnership with manufacturer Pilote, three vehicles are unveiled: an A-class motorhome, a coachbuilt motorhome and a camper van. Events include vehicle presentations, expert advice, a lunch buffet and special offers.

Yucon and Mooveo, both part of the Pilote Group, have introduced compact campervans based on the Renault Trafic, featuring a removable kitchen module. The 5.08-meter models can be used as a family shuttle with up to seven seats in daily use and as a camper with four berths on trips. The base price is €45,900 for the Yucon Switch and €46,405 for the Mooveo CV1, with a Premium package available for €3,750.

According to the Swedish Caravan and Motorhome Industry Association, new motorhome registrations in Sweden rose by more than 50% in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The leading brands are Adria, Pilote and Bürstner, with a combined market share of 25%. Bürstner nearly tripled its registrations in a year, while Knaus saw a 10% decline. Caravan registrations also increased, but by only 5%.

A dealer in Vendée has announced a clearance sale on new Pilote motorhomes. The promotion includes immediate discounts on selected models and a choice between new and recent used vehicles. Buyers receive technical support before and after purchase, as well as maintenance services, including repairs and servicing for vehicles not purchased from this dealer.

Joa By Pilote, a French motorhome manufacturer, has updated its 75 QB model. The new 7.46-meter A-class motorhome features a modern interior with natural wood trim, a Queen Bed, a split bathroom that can be combined into a walk-through, and an automatic transmission as standard. Prices start at €67,900.

Joa Camp, founded in 2021, has been renamed Joa by Pilote to highlight its link to the Pilote group. The 75 QB, a low-profile motorhome on a Fiat Ducato base, features a new visual identity and a high level of standard equipment. It is priced at €67,900 and includes an automatic gearbox, solar panel, awning and reversing camera. Dimensions are 7.46 m long, 2.30 m wide and 2.85 m high. It has a rear Queen Bed (153×190 cm), a two-compartment bathroom and a kitchen with a 133-litre fridge.

Stéphanie and Pierre from Pas-de-Calais, who have been travelling in a Pilote G740 motorhome for 30 years, visited Brittany for the first time. In mid-July 2026, they spent a few days at the municipal campsite Poulennou in Cléder, where their nephew recently settled.

Manufacturers offer compact motorhomes from 5.99 to 6.60 meters long, which are easier to park and maneuver in urban areas. In Spain, the number of motorhomes and campervans has tripled in 10 years. Models include the Bürstner B66 594 (from €79,380), Carado V132 (from €53,790), Pilote P600P (from €69,500), and Knaus Van TI 550 MF (from €70,690).

Joa-by-Pilote, a brand under the Pilote Group, offers seven semi-integrated motorhomes on the German market priced between €66,000 and €68,000. All models are based on the Fiat Ducato (140 hp, 3.5 t) and come with standard features including a solar panel, awning, rear-view camera, and lane-keeping assist. For the 2027 model year, interior design has been refreshed and bathrooms optimized.