Chausson’s X640 Packs Big-RV Comfort Into 23 Feet, Without the Usual Bulk

The sweet spot in RV travel is getting harder to find: roomy enough to actually live in, short enough to handle like a normal vehicle. French RV maker Chausson says its X640 hits that target with a 23-foot (6.99-meter) motorhome that squeezes in a true lounge, a drop-down bed, a “maxi” kitchen and bathroom, and a cargo garage tall enough for bulky gear.

The big change isn’t the floor plan, already familiar to European buyers, but the push upmarket with a new Titanium Ultimate trim and more standard equipment. And thanks to ongoing chassis supply headaches in Europe, some model years have been built on a Ford base instead of the more common Fiat platform, a switch that can affect availability, specs, and what comes standard.

A 23-foot motorhome designed to feel bigger than it is

At 23 feet long, the X640 stays just under the psychological “too big” line for many RV shoppers. In Europe, that matters for tight city streets, narrow secondary roads, and compact overnight parking areas, think of it as the difference between squeezing into a crowded trailhead lot versus hunting for a pull-through spot.

Chausson’s pitch is simple: this isn’t a stripped-down camper van. It’s a low-profile motorhome meant to avoid that long, narrow “hallway” feel, even with a footprint that’s easier to maneuver than many family-sized rigs.

The real selling point: a lounge up front and a serious gear garage out back

The X640 is built around a tradeoff: prioritize a big front living area and a generous rear garage instead of dedicating the back to a permanent bedroom. The garage is rated at about 49.6 inches (1.26 meters) tall inside and roughly 32.3 inches (820 mm) at max width, enough for bikes, folding furniture, and rigid storage bins.

It’s also designed to be usable, not just “on paper.” Fold-down shelving lets owners switch between organized storage and open volume, and exterior doors on both sides mean you can load from whichever side isn’t blocked at a tight campsite.

The compromise is clear: if you want a fixed rear bed you never have to think about, this isn’t that rig. The X640 is aimed at travelers who value hangout space and hauling capacity more than a dedicated bedroom.

Smart Lounge: convertible travel seats and a table sized for real meals

Up front, Chausson uses a “Smart Lounge” layout with two side benches to keep the center aisle open. One bench measures about 54.3 inches (1.38 meters) long, with the opposite side slightly shorter, creating a living-room feel rather than a cramped dinette.

Crucially, the lounge converts to forward-facing travel seats, an important detail for anyone who actually plans to drive with more than two people. Some lounge-heavy RV layouts are great when parked and awkward on the road; Chausson is trying to have it both ways.

The folding table is another practical touch. Fully opened, it’s about 39.4 by 32.7 inches (1.00 m by 0.83 m), big enough for four adults to eat without playing elbow-jenga, but it can fold away to free up floor space.

A drop-down bed instead of a bedroom, great for couples, less ideal for constant overnights

Sleeping is handled by a drop-down “pavilion” bed, listed at about 63 inches (1.60 meters) wide, roughly a queen-width experience by European standards, though American buyers should still check the exact mattress dimensions in person.

Chausson says some configurations can sleep up to four and may be certified for four travel seats, but the practical reality is familiar to RV shoppers everywhere: two adults get the best comfort, while extra berths tend to be better for kids or occasional guests.

The tradeoff with a drop-down bed is routine. You typically need to tidy up before lowering it, and frequent one-night stops can make the setup/teardown feel like a chore. For longer stays, especially if you spend time inside working or waiting out bad weather, the open daytime layout can be a win.

“Maxi” kitchen and bathroom, plus water and heat for off-season travel

Chausson leans hard on the “maxi” kitchen and bathroom claim, and the specs give a sense of what that means for autonomy. Depending on the version, the X640 lists a fresh-water tank up to 27.7 gallons (105 liters) and a gray-water tank up to 26.4 gallons (100 liters). For two people, that can cover a long weekend without extreme rationing, unless you take long showers.

Heat is rated at 4,000 watts (about 13,650 BTU), using the vehicle’s fuel, common in modern European motorhomes and attractive for shoulder-season trips when reliable heat matters. As always, real-world off-grid capability will depend on the electrical setup and whether features like a solar panel are included in the trim or added later.

Titanium Ultimate trim adds premium touches, and more standard gear

The Titanium Ultimate version is where the X640’s recent updates land. Chausson highlights a refreshed interior look, new fabrics, contrast stitching, and updated “Sirocco” cabinetry, meant to make the coach feel more upscale without changing the underlying layout.

More important for many buyers: added standard equipment bundled in an accessory pack. The package is described as including an awning, a solar panel, and cab blackout shades, items that can easily add up to hundreds of euros in options in Europe, or roughly hundreds of dollars in U.S. terms (about $100 equals €90 at current rates).

There’s also a supply-chain wrinkle. In at least one recent season, the X640 was offered primarily on a Ford chassis due to limited availability of Fiat-based platforms, which dominate much of the European motorhome market. For shoppers, that means paying close attention to the base vehicle, engine, and standard features, not just the model name on the side.

What it means for buyers

The X640 is a bet on how people actually use a compact motorhome: lounging, cooking, carrying gear, and staying comfortable when the weather turns. If your priority is a permanent bedroom and the fastest possible bedtime routine, you’ll likely prefer a different layout. But if you want a manageable-length rig that still feels livable inside, Chausson is clearly aiming right at that gap, and using higher-end trims and bundled equipment to make the case.