D.he specialty of the French brand Challenger is the fold-down bed in the motorhome. It has the advantage that the night-time lying surface floats under the ceiling to save space and can be lowered electrically before going to bed. The brand’s latest release implements this idea in the smallest of spaces. Combo X 150 is the name of the beautiful child, it should combine the best of both worlds, be as handy as a panel van and spacious as a motorhome. The dimensions speak for this claim. The mobile based on the Fiat Ducato is 5.99 meters long and 2.1 meters wide, hardly larger than the extended Fiat with a long wheelbase. It is available from the dealer for 59,990 euros.
Behind the cab, Challenger places a special structure made of XPS elements that provide better insulation. The French get the space gain from above. The structure rises 2.75 meters into the sky, the straight side walls create space inside. The expressive exterior design is striking, and there is no hint of a wood grain inside. The furniture fronts are rust-red, gray or anthracite.
The pull-down bed measures 1.40 × 1.90 meters. Thanks to its light and flat aluminum frame, it hardly reduces the standing height underneath; it can be lowered electrically to the sleeping position. If you lock it halfway down, you can also use the seating group below with its two longitudinal bench seats as a bed, even if this is a challenging puzzle. After all, four campers can then spend the night in the X 150.
Another four people are allowed to travel with you during the journey. The driver and front passenger sit on their swiveling pilot’s chairs, and two further seats facing the direction of travel can be folded out of the two sofas. In the post-Corona era, the number of possible dinner guests is certainly an incentive to buy. Up to seven hungry campers will find a comfortable livelihood at the electrically height-adjustable table. Its table top can be folded in, which makes it easier to get into the driver’s cab.
In the rear, the wet cell stretches across the entire width of the vehicle. A cleverly designed folding washbasin creates space for showering, with the door of the wardrobe installed in front of it, the hygiene box can be locked while showering or using the toilet. Opposite is another storage cabinet, which is accessible from two sides through an external flap. The storage capacity in the X 150 is limited, because a rear garage is structurally not possible due to the large washroom at the rear. If you want to take bicycles with you, you have to attach a carrier to the rear wall or use a trailer hitch.
The space up to the seating area is filled by the galley with a gas cooker, sink and a 139 liter refrigerator. Its door is hinged on both sides and opens to the left or right as required. The entrance door to the living area is also pleasing, it not only has a deep entry, but is also centrally locked by radio together with the doors in the driver’s cab. Anyway, the equipment of the Challenger X 150 is lavish. The Opening Edition version, which will be available at the market launch, has a panoramic roof over the driver’s seats, blinds and fly screens on all windows and on the entrance door, as well as a TV preparation with bracket. The base vehicle will have air conditioning, light alloy wheels and electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, among other things.
Extras such as a satellite TV system or an awning are not available ex works. Nevertheless, the combo can be upgraded with packages. The automatic package includes the ZF automatic with nine gear ratios and the more powerful Ducato engine with 160 hp, which costs around 5000 euros. The series models have the manual six-speed gearbox and the four-cylinder diesel with 140 hp.
With the 140 hp diesel, the X 150 is fast on the road. More than 150 km / h are possible on the motorway, but drive fuel consumption to insane heights. If you stick to the recommended speed, you can cover the 100-kilometer route with 12.6 liters. Despite the construction height, the Combo can hardly be disturbed by cross winds, and the tight overhangs also make maneuvering easier. The concept should therefore attract a large number of interested parties. It is true that the fold-down bed and seating group can only be used at the same time with a serious willingness to compromise, and concessions also have to be made when it comes to storage space. In return, the compact mobile from Challenger earns praise for the extremely spacious and comfortable bathroom, the chic interior design and many innovative ideas such as the two passenger seats in the bench substructures.
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