Tuesday 29th January 2019

UK firm launches rugged Delica D:5 Terrain camper

Like your holidays out in the wilderness? Campers Scotland's modded Mitsubishi has got you covered

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Ah the driving holiday. It's long been a favourite way to explore for PHers who prefer their trips without the stress of airport queues or train schedules. Some of us like to embark on such journeys behind the wheel of a sports car, relying on overnight accommodation as we go. Others like to cart their living quarters around with them, be it as a tent in the boot or a proper motorhome, like Ben on his recent Canadian road trip. It's for people like this that Campers Scotland's latest creation, the D:5 Terrain, has been developed.

Based on the Mistubishi Delica Campervan, this UK modified vehicle is essentially a go-anywhere four-person bed and kitchenette that's been beefed up to make it ready for the wilderness. Based on the 170hp 2.4-litre petrol-powered camper, it can run in two- or four-wheel drive, and there's an electronic locking differential switch for if the going gets tough off road. Plus, there's enough grunt from the powertrain to pull up to 2.5 tons - so you can even bring the mountain bikes and Nomad on a trailer!

Campers Scotland's available enhancements include raised suspension and off road wheels, while the most adventurous buyers might want to consider the firm's optional rough terrain upgrade. This includes chassis strengthening to the rib-bone monocoque frame, stronger brakes and scuff kits to protect the underside. Optional side and front bars toughen up the exterior, while roof racks and LED floodlights complete the makeover.

To accommodate up to four passengers, the D:5 terrain has swivel chairs and a raising roof, while food can be stored in the fridge or kitchen units; they include removable pods that can be attached to rucksacks. Cooking is handled by Camper Scotland's omnislider unit, which can be removed if you prefer to prepare your meals with an interactive audience of insects. Power for all of this comes from a lithium-ion super-power battery that's partly powered by roof-mounted solar panels.

The price for this cosy, self-sufficient holiday camper is £27,995, which doesn't actually seem that bad, does it? Especially when you consider the VW California camper opens from almost £10k more. They did say summer 2019 might just be the sunniest on record...

[sutts]

Interesting alternative to the ubiquitous SWB VW T5/6 camper, especially in 4x4 semi off road spec.

Good to learn that food can be kept in the fridge and cupboards!

[JerryF]

Cannot see the link for this vehicle.

[toppstuff]

I like it.

No link to the manufacturer and nothing on google either.

[toppstuff]

I like it.

No link to the manufacturer and nothing on google either.

[Arnothill]

I own a 1995 Reimo fibreglass motorhome mounted on a Delica truck body. I have just driven from Scotland to Sicily and even this old vehicle was amazing in heavy snow and mud. The great thing about the Delica is simplicity. After 6000 miles the only problem was a squeaky clutch...solved with a squirt of wd40. I am going to take a good look at this camper.

[Leggy]

This looks like a bargain compared to the usual VW conversions, usually closer to £45k+

[mynameistim]

wonder how realistic that price is...

[DelicaL400]

The previous generation of Delica made a pretty good camper, especially with proper offroad tyres. I wonder why Mitsubishi have never sold them here given the increase in the popularity of SUVs.

[JMF894]

http://www.campers-scotland.com/

[Addymk2]

After looking at those prices... I've a feeling the VW Equivalents are taking a heavy slap of VW Scene Tax

[cookie1600]

This one looks like a used Japanese import, as I don't think that style of D:5 made it to this country in UK spec. Is the price just for the conversion, or do you get an old Delica thrown in for £27k too? I guess they are converting second-hand vehicles, but there's no mention on whether the cost is to convert your own vehicle, or if it's included.

http://www.campers-scotland.com/conversions/

No Delica conversion on the site at all, .

Edited by cookie1600 on Wednesday 30th January 08:03

[luggie]

There’s a t6 camper on the forecourt of my local vw van centre for 70k! Seventy thousand pounds! Thought I was seeing things hahaha

[troika]

Addymk2 said:

After looking at those prices... I've a feeling the VW Equivalents are taking a heavy slap of VW Scene Tax

You’re right, they do, although the (genuine) VW’s are a different proposition to this in fairness. A California is about the lowest depreciating vehicle you can buy and will have a lower total cost of ownership than this Delica. Of course, it’s not all about money. I love the look of this and if you spend your time wild camping in remote parts of Scotland or Scandinavia, it would be a brilliant bit of kit to own.

[toppstuff]

cookie1600 said:

This one looks like a used Japanese import, as I don't think that style of D:5 made it to this country in UK spec. Is the price just for the conversion, or do you get an old Delica thrown in for £27k too? I guess they are converting second-hand vehicles, but there's no mention on whether the cost is to convert your own vehicle, or if it's included.

http://www.campers-scotland.com/conversions/

No Delica conversion on the site at all, .

Edited by cookie1600 on Wednesday 30th January 08:03

This seems to be the worst managed new car launch ever.

PH posts pictures of an interesting new product. Reaction is positive.

Manufacturer is not linked to in the article.

Interested punters search the web and find nothing. Even the supposed maker of the vehicle has nothing on their website about it.

I think PH just made this all up. There is no such vehicle.

[cookie1600]

[quote=toppstuff]
This seems to be the worst managed new car launch ever.

I think PH just made this all up. There is no such vehicle./quote]
Trying to decipher the conversion company's website, I think they import 'grey' Japanese vehicles and carry out a conversion in the UK. Still don't know if the price is inclusive of vehicle (I guess so) and if there's VAT to pay on that?

http://www.campers-scotland.com/sales/campers-for-...

No new vehicles mentioned on the site and all look to be specific to the Japanese home market, so not really a new vehicle launch. Prices do seem reasonable for a second-hand base van conversion, as long as you can get spares for the imported models they convert.

My dear old Dad used to do the Devon conversions and should really have charged a lot more for them considering the amount of care and skill he/they put into each one.

[JerryF]

toppstuff said:

I like it.

No link to the manufacturer and nothing on google either.

I agree . Shame no link. Come on PH editors do your stuff.

[JMF894]

JerryF said:

toppstuff said:

I like it.

No link to the manufacturer and nothing on google either.

I agree . Shame no link. Come on PH editors do your stuff.

Second this. We're considering a camper when the Gran Tourer is up for changing and the Veedubs are sooo pricey.

[PixelpeepS3]

love it, great price. Now, is it real or the new unicorn of the automotive world?

[NickGibbs]

This Toyota hybrid one is £32,995 for a 2007 model http://www.campers-scotland.com/sales_campervans/c...
I guess the base Delica is a similar vintage. The D8 has been around since 2007. Here's one for £10k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[sjg]

cookie1600 said:

This one looks like a used Japanese import, as I don't think that style of D:5 made it to this country in UK spec. Is the price just for the conversion, or do you get an old Delica thrown in for £27k too? I guess they are converting second-hand vehicles, but there's no mention on whether the cost is to convert your own vehicle, or if it's included.

http://www.campers-scotland.com/conversions/

No Delica conversion on the site at all, .

Edited by cookie1600 on Wednesday 30th January 08:03

Indeed. The D:5 started production in 2007, so early ones are over 10 years old for cheaper and easier importing.

£28k seems about right for a good 10 year old import (£7-8k OTR), a pop-up roof (not much change from £3k fitted), then all the off-road stuff, interior conversion, matt orange wrap and some profit.

Totally disingenuous to compare to new VW California prices. You can equally buy a 10 year old not-too-shagged Transporter and have a company do a decent conversion for this kind of money, and plenty of people do.

Edited by sjg on Wednesday 30th January 10:18