Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: MINI unveils camping concepts

The third-generation MINI won’t be being displayed at the Frankfurt motor show, despite looking suspiciously complete in recent scoop photos. Instead, MINI’s trio of camper-related concepts will be the centre of attention.

The Clubvan Camper and Cowley will be officially unveiled alongside the Countryman ALL4 Camp and these tongue-in-cheek one offs, nicely timed for the beginning of the summer holidays, prove that the MINI engineers really do have a sense of humour.

The three packages have clearly been inspired by the thousands of Mini owners who brave the festivals, such as the International Mini Meet, and each reflects different aspects of the rise in popularity of camping and festivals, creating a choice of premium home-from-home options for the enthusiastic traveller.



The MINI Clubvan Camper is claimed to be the world’s smallest luxury camper van by MINI. It’s packed with practical solutions that make it ideal accommodation for an individual on a weekend away – just don’t expect to accommodate anyone you might pick up on your way.

There is a single sleeping berth, plus a small, extendible kitchenette complete with propane stove and chest fridge. On-board facilities includes the MINI Navigation Portable XL sat-nav and a television while chilly mornings can be made more comfortable thanks to an auxiliary heater. The Clubvan Camper’s roof has a small glass panel that can be opened for ventilation or star-gazing, while the storage rack above means owners can travel with equipment for outdoor pursuits. The Camper also includes an integrated hand-held shower, with a water tank housed underneath the load floor.



The MINI Cowley will actually be familiar with festival goers already. Not because the Cowley isn’t new, but because a number of Mini owners already tow similar Teardrop and Pod trailers for that genuine home-from-home experience. But MINI being MINI, the Cowley is pitched as a luxury option, equipped with a twin-ring gas stove, fridge and sink.

The Cowley caravan has two comfortable sleeping berths, a twin-burner gas stove and a water tank complete with pump and sink facility. A solar module charges the on-board battery and there’s a 230-volt connection to power the fridge, TV/DVD and audio equipment. The Cowley is just 12cm wider than a MINI Clubman including exterior mirrors and weighs just under 300kg, making it a piece of cake to tow.



Finally, there’s the MINI Countryman ALL4 Camp, which features a safari-style rooftop tent – and of all the concepts shown, looks the most convincing as a production car. And as for finding somewhere to stay in this MINI, it’s a simple case of heading upstairs.

The innovative roof-top tent can easily be mounted on a MINI or MINI Clubman. The upper half of the tent is simply folded out of its storage box, and is ready to go. It’s also really useful when the specially fitted bicycle rack is added to the package. The roof-top tent quickly folds away into its box when it’s not needed.