The Cute Go Glamping: Mini Unveils Three Camper Concepts

The retro style of BMW's Mini is polarizing, but it has its fiercely loyal followers. And the brand's demographics are enviable: young, active, and obviously affluent—Minis don't come cheap, you know. The bond between the brand and owner is of such strength, that might we suggest occasionally sleeping in the compact? The British marque's trio of glamping—that's glamorous camping—concepts are proof that such an idea could be arranged. The most intimate relationship between car and owner is provided by the Clubvan Camper, a "premium motorhome" based on the Clubvan—freshly yanked from Mini's U.S. lineup. Besides a bed, it is fitted with a propane stove and a refrigerator. A handheld shower is fed by a water tank placed below the loading floor. There is an auxiliary heater, and, believe it or not, a television—in the form of what looks to be an iPad. The Clubvan Camper offers no room for a second person, but the prototypical Clubvan owner depicted on the press photography isn't solitary: There's ample space for his cuddly toy dog, which he takes swimming and with which he cuddles while watching episodes of The Simpsons. Replacing the stuffed toy with an actual person requires more-generous sleeping quarters, which are provided by the rooftop tent that comes with the Countryman ALL4 Camp. According to the press release, the closed tent fits the look of the portly station wagon "perfectly." Rooftop access is provided by means of a nifty folding ladder. Mini also says that the tent could conceivably be fitted to the brand's traditional hatchback and Clubman offerings. Instrumented Test: 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP Long-Term Road Test Wrap-Up: 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 Comparison Test: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth vs. Mini John Cooper Works The most conventional solution, of course, is simply hitching up a camper to your Mini; something that the brand understands and proposes by means of a concept called Cowley. Styled to mirror the design of the Mini, the trailer concept is fitted with a pair of beds, sliding windows, a water source, a gas stove, a television, a kitchenette, and a stereo system. It weighs around 650 pounds and can accommodate two people—or a large number of stuffed animals. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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