PILOTE ATLAS A656D

Built on Ford's road-hugging new base vehicle, this robust and sporty new four-berth should appeal to adventurous tastes, says Peter Baber

- Peter Baber

Pilote’s Atlas is the company’s new venture with Ford, geared towards those of a slightly more adventurous bent and based on the new Trail Transit base vehicle.

The chassis is not strictly speaking all-wheel-drive, but it has limited slip differential, which sends power to the wheel with most traction. That should make navigating bumpier roads easier, especially with a 170bhp engine.

Pilote has brought out two models in the range, the transverse-bed A696G and now the A656D, a four-berth with a drop-down bed and a rear washroom – similar to the P626D on a Fiat. We checked it out at the manufacturer’s 2024 season launch.

The vehicle certainly looks striking from the outside. Those red and black decals have been designed to reflect the boxy shape of the luton. And the first thing that strikes you on climbing inside is the sporty interior.

You get black curtains, upholstery and cab seats with armrests, and a near-black floor. The only significant touch of colour is the blue-grey of the panel by the door and on the kitchen drawers. But the woodgrain tabletop and kitchen work surface, and white locker doors, brighten the look.

The nearside settee turns into two travel seats – not the easiest to set up or the most comfortable we’ve seen.