Hyundai Mash Up Of The Volkswagen Camper And Tesla Model X

Hyundai has applied for a patent on a new design it might use to convert vans into campers. Back in the 60’s, Volkswagen invented the camper van when it made a tent-like pop up opening in the roof of its Microbus. Suddenly, camping was transformed all across America. For the first time, people could drive to the mountains, the deserts, or the oceans and then sleep in their vehicles when they got there.

No motel bills, no overpriced restaurant food. The VW camper liberated people to go do their own thing. It may have led directly to Woodstock, free love, and the total breakdown of the button down American society. Owning one was almost as good as moving to California and becoming a surfer.

Fast forward 50 years to the Tesla Model X. This iconic vehicle features falcon wing doors that are hinged at the top and the middle. Unlike gullwing doors on early Mercedes, DeLoreans and Bricklins, they only need a foot of clearance to open and close. They make getting in and out of the second and third row seats simple and efficient. The Model X is the VW camper all grown up and given a makeover by House Beautiful.

Hyundai has a different idea. Why not keep the sliding door that defines a modern minivan but hinge the entire side of the vehicle so it permits easy access to everything aft of the front seats? Imagine a screened in enclosure underneath a solid roof. It could be the next thing in camping for the 99%. When there isn’t enough room to raise the entire side panel, the traditional sliding door would still be there for use in close quarters.

According to the Korean automaker’s patent application, the camping market is growing, and it believes this idea would appeal to customers. “Camping has evolved from a level of just sleeping outdoors to include a step of taking a rest outdoors, and therefore, camping equipment has also continuously evolved,” Hyundai states in the application.

In the UK, there is a company that specializes in converting Hyundai vans into campers. Volkswagenalso offers a modern version of the camper van, complete with pop up tent roof, for Brits who are bitten by the outdoor bug. According to AutoBlog, Hyundai may be thinking about offering a similar vehicle in the American market. If so, it could do for today’s families what the VW camper did for them two generations ago.

Photo credits: Hyundai, Volkswagen

VW Westfalia Camper Van Spiritual Successor: Nissan e-NV200 Camper

DalburyE Nissan e-NV200 camper van conversion by Hillside Leisure

If you've had your heart set on a modern interpretation of the old Volkswagen Westphalia camper van, you're in luck.

A British company called Hillside Leisure will offer a camper conversion of the Nissan e-NV200 small electric van.

Called the DalburyE, the electric camper van comes complete with a pop-up roof, gas stove, refrigerator, onboard water tank, and low-voltage LED lighting, according toTransport Evolved.

Based on small or mid-size vans, camper vans are still popular in Europe. They're a step up from camping in a tent, but their small size makes these vans a bit more manageable than a full-size recreational vehicle (RV) or trailer.

Hillside Leisure already offers conversions of the internal-combustion NV200, so modifying its plug-in sibling was fairly straightforward.

DalburyE Nissan e-NV200 camper van conversion by Hillside Leisure

No modifications were made to the electric powertrain, which includes an 80-kilowatt (110 horsepower) electric motor and 24-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, both borrowed from the Nissan Leaf electric car.

Hillside Leisure estimates range at 106 miles per charge--on the optimistic European testing cycle--with a governed top speed of 76 mph.

These are the same figures quoted by Nissan for the U.K. version of the stock e-NV200, but the extra weight of the camping gear will likely blunt performance a bit.

At least many campsites and trailer parks already offer access to electrical outlets, so drivers can charge while they camp, albeit at a slower rate than with a conventional Level 2 charging station.

The e-NV200 is already on sale in Europe and Japan, but Nissan hasn't confirmed whether it will bring the electric van to the U.S.

If it does, a similar conversion could offer buyers a greener alternative to the traditional RV, provided they're willing to move at a slightly slower pace.

Source: Green Car Reports