Rare Toyota 4x4 campervans arrive down under

A new brand of upmarket Japanese-built campervans based on near-new Toyota HiAce 4x4 panel vans, are now available for sale in Australia.

The Davey Motor Group in Geelong, Victoria which specialises in 'grey import' Japanese vehicles, is offering a stylish Dream Drive KumaQ campervan based on a 2023 Toyota HiAce SLWB four-wheel drive van -- a 4x4 model not officially sold in Australia.

The Dream Drive campervans are imported from Japan, where the camper conversions also take place at a production facility in Tokyo.

As well as the full time four wheel drive system, the Japanese-spec HiAce van on which the Dream Drive KumaQ campers is based, stands out from the crowd with a factory 12in lift kit to make it even better suited to rough-road conditions.

The eye-catching 2.8-litre turbo-diesel powered campervan also boasts 16in steel wheels wrapped in Toyo 4x4 tyres, along with a vinyl wrap to give it a unique two-tone exterior look, while there's a large 9in driver's display with wireless smart phone mirroring to keep it up-to-date with the latest campers.

The Dream Drive conversion also taps into the vanlife boom, with sauna-style timber slat roof- and wall linings, walnut benchtops, mood lighting, woolen wall insulation and black marine ply cabinetry.

There are enough seatbelts to carry four passengers in total, with the rear bench seat swiveling around to form a four person dinette, or converting to another bed, and a fixed queen bed, kitchenette with sink, tap and small portable fridge, and various storage, among other glamping features.

Also included is a solar roof mat to charge a lithium battery system with 2000W inverter, a range of electrical sockets, a remote controlled roof vent, front and rear air-conditioner/heater, screened windows, external shower and 40 litre water storage.

The Dream Drive camper conversions are customizable and are also available on other Japanese models, and are being rolled out across other Australian retail outlets including Perth-based Vans West.

The 2023-model 4x4 camper at the Davey Motor Group is priced at $148,000, with pricing starting at $135,000 for the diesel 4x4 van based conversions.

Dream Drive was established in Japan in 2018 and around 30 staff are employed to convert the vehicles at a facility in Tokyo. The business is run by New Zealand born Mark Tan and Australian born Jared Campion, with Campion recently moving back to Queensland to establish a Dream Drive sales network across Australia.

Speaking to the Australian Manufacturing Forum, Campion said it's currently cheaper to complete the campervan conversions in Japan and import the turn-key vehicles, rather than undertake the conversions in Australia like most local campervan brands.

“We plan in the future to add more jobs in Australia but feel it's more realistic to have a larger facility in Japan at the moment," he said.

“As a campervan manufacturer it is important to be near the OEM… and world class tier 2 supply chain.”

Further details on the Dream Drive KumaQ campervans for sale at the Davey Motor Group can be found here, or check out the Australian Dream Drive website.