It may not be clear from looking, but PH's staff members are the vanguard of contemporary lifestyle trends. And you thought we spent all our free time in the forums and
buying Sheds
The original trendsetters...
It was barely a month ago that we ventured to Le Mans in
our Clubvan
for some actual overseas camping. Now Mini has launched the 'Getaway' cars, described as 'three new overnight solutions for the weekend warrior', or campers. The damn cheek.
In Mini's defence, its actual camping cars are slightly more suitable than our standard van. Using the cargo nets to stop fizzy French beer sliding about is about as lifestyle as our Clubvan gets, but the Clubvan Camper raises the bar somewhat. The luggage bay features a kitchenette with a gas stove and fridge (for beer, obviously) plus the driving environment has been tweaked . There's now Mini's Portable XL sat-nav to prevent any wrong turns and a TV for when the inevitable does happen.
In addition, one lucky Camper passenger gets a sleeping area with en-suite (okay, a hand-held shower). But we've still got an MX-5 exhaust manifold in our van; where's that going to fit?
Presumably not such a Mini adventure!
The other pair of Getaway cars, the Cowley and the Camp, are based on the Clubman and
Countryman
respectively. The former is 'a new style benchmark in compact towing', a phrase perhaps never used previously to describe a car. Contained in the 'luxurious overnight solution' (or trailer) are a pair of beds, a twin-burner gas stove and a water tank complete with pump and sink facility. A solar module, which will actually be handy in Britain this summer, charges the on-board battery.
Finally, Mini has the Countryman All4 Camp, the 'getaway car for an adventurous couple, evoking images of African safari'. Ergo, should the two of you find yourself in the Serengeti one evening and in need of rest, simply fold out the tent from its storage box and accommodation is ready. Though never a particular elegant solution, here the roof-top tent has improved the Countryman's aesthetics immeasurably.
However, our Mini will continue as the only true lifestyle van as the Getaway cars won't be made. They exist only to 'showcase... the creativity and skill within the company's design and engineering staff'. That's all very well, but can we have a fridge please?