Mini creates world's smallest campervan

The compact MINI car would have to be one of the most unlikely candidates for a campervan conversion. But that hasn't stopped the BMW-owned British brand from creating the Clubvan Camper, a one-berth RV it describes as "the world's smallest luxury campervan".

Based on the two-door MINI Clubvan model, which isn't available in Australia, the unique vehicle opens up via the rear barn doors to reveal a sleeping berth for one plus a small, extendible kitchenette complete with propane stove and chest fridge.

Other features include a sat-nav system for getting to remote campsites, a glass roof panel that can be opened for ventilation or star-gazing, and a storage rack on the roof for carrying a kayak or similar.

You can even have a shower thanks to the integrated hand-held shower unit, connected to a water tank housed underneath the load floor.

Continuing the camping theme, MINI has also revealed a tiny teardrop caravan. Named after the original Mini's factory, the Cowley caravan has all the "mod cons" including two sleeping berths, twin-burner gas stove and a water tank complete with pump and sink.

There's also a solar module that charges the on-board battery and mains electricity connection to power the fridge, TV/DVD and audio equipment.

Just like the 1960s Mini, the doors have sliding windows on both sides. The Cowley caravan is 12cm wider than a MINI Clubman including exterior mirrors and weighs just under 300 kg.

And for those who like to sleep well off the ground, MINI has dropped a colour-coded roof-top tent onto its four-wheel drive Countryman model to create the Countryman ALL4 Camp. Perfect for week-end escapes, it also features a specially-fitted bicycle rack for carrying a mountain bike.

Although MINI says it has no plans to introduce production versions, that shouldn't stop keen owners from creating their very own Mini-based home-on-wheels, given enough time and money!