Although launched at the NEC exhibition in February, the Swift Charisma 550 could not be built immediately and so has not been available to view until now. Tilshead Caravans are therefore pleased to confirm that our demonstrator model is now on display.

The Charisma 550 is the latest new model to be launched by the Swift Group in 2009 and builds on the undoubted popularity of the Swift Challenger 570. Both models offer a similar fixed bed and end washroom layout in a single axle caravan.

The Swift Charisma 550 is 10 inches shorter than the Challenger 570 model and is also 100kg lighter and over £1,600 cheaper. So how does the new model look in real life?

The front lounge offers unexpected space with the parallel seating separated by a chest of drawers. The 7’6” width of the caravan gives a double bed size of up to 7’0” x 5’3” or two single beds for the younger (or shorter) members of the family. The location of the angled heater unit and worktop next to the door are well designed to give a feeling of space.

The central kitchen and galley area retains the usual quality fittings seen elsewhere in the Charisma range, with microwave fitted in the eyelevel cabinets over the hob. There is a worktop area next to the door which is smaller than in, say, the Charisma 540, but is more useable for those of us who normally put a television here, as the Charisma 550 has an ingenious drop-down TV storage cupboard and rotating bracket, meaning you can use the worktop for other purposes! 

The rear fixed bed offers usual Swift refinements such as the elevating bed base with sprung beech slats and excellent storage under. This is easily accessible from the outside courtesy of the side access hatch. At 6’2” in length and 4’6” in width with a quality mattress, this is not that different from the mattress you may have on your double bed at home. Using a little lateral thinking, Swift have also located the table storage area under the bed, to free up space in the caravan - one of the reasons this model is shorter and lighter than the Challenger model. Opposite the bed is the wardrobe and shelving storage, plus a sizeable mirror, next to a mains 230V socket for those wishing to use a hairdryer. It even has two coathooks for those dressing gowns!

Behind the fixed bed is a true en-suite washroom, with a lovely rectangular shower and space to get changed without falling over the new Thetford C250 style toilet. Usual Swift features such as 32mm thick washroom door with domestic style handle and operation plus finishing touches such as the well located mirror add the extra touch of class and emphasise the quality seen throughout the caravan.

When we reflect on the fact that last year you would have needed to purchase a twin axle caravan to get a spacious lounge, fixed bed and end washroom, the fact that Swift have managed to engineer the same features into a caravan with an MTPLM of less than 1500kg, an overall length of 7.30m and a retail price of well under £14,000 is, quite frankly, impressive.

Tags: Caravan Sales, charisma 550, new caravan