I’ve been harping on for years that one day soon we’re going to see the hatch market completely dominate all other markets. We’ve seen it go “big and family” in the form of the SUV, but I’ve been waiting for it to creep its way into the 4×4 market and start making the likes of the mighty Hilux feel nervous. Let’s coin the term: all terrain hatch? 4×4 hatch? Hatch-by-4?
Guys and girls, today we have another step in that direction with the release of Mini’s camping + expedition getaway car concepts.
Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I love music festivals and when I go, I don’t bother pitching a tent. Instead I pop the back of the hatch I’m driving open, cover the hole with a mosquito net and catch some Z’s. Too MacGyver for Mini though.
The philosophy here is: “maximum touring pleasure with minimal footprint”, and there are 3 in the range: ‘the Clubvan camper’, ‘the Countryman ALL4 camp’ and ‘the Cowley’; a tiny camper van, a rooftop tent and a compact caravan respectively.
The MINI Clubvan camper
This is meant to be your “home on wheels”, but I prefer “Bachelor pad on wheels” since it only sleeps one so the girl you’re with can’t sleep over.
Sleeps one inside, extendible kitchen area with propane stove and chest fridge and a water tank with a handheld shower. This car comes standard with on-board navigation and a TV and heater.
The MINI cowley caravan
This attachment allows you to join the caravan crew and annoy travelling tourists on busy bi-ways. Still, looks good and is functional.
The Cowley is fitted with two comfortable beds; a twin-burner gas stove and a water tank complete with pump and sink. A solar-panel then charges the on-board battery with a 230-volt connection that powers the fridge, television and audio equipment.
The MINI Countryman ALL4 camp
Two great innovations above, but neither of them check what for me is the most important feature of the future camping hatch: 4-wheel drive.
Thankfully the Mini Countryman has AWD so it’ll take on more rough terrain than most current SUVs. The tech to fit a diff and a low range gearbox to a car the size of an Audi A1 will come in time. Meanwhile…
This Countryman comes with a roof-top that accommodates two people comfortably. Also has space for a mountain bike and all folds away into a box in no time.
