Automotive

Nissan adventure van rolls through the wild like a mobile ecolodge

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Nissan gives the Caravan Mountain Base an adjustable rooftop solar panel system and a warm, wood paneled interior
Nissan
Nissan gives the Caravan Mountain Base an adjustable rooftop solar panel system and a warm, wood paneled interior
Nissan
The Caravan Mountain Base Concept's ruggedized front-end accentuates the redesigned face of the Caravan
Nissan
Inside the Mountain Base, Nissan keeps things warm with an electric fireplace (or maybe just a TV with crackling Yule Log) and organized with an integrated rack system
Nissan
The Mountain Base Concept isn't the most rugged adventure van out there, but it does look capable of finding remote trails and mountain passes
Nissan
The Caravan MyRoom Concept puts a different spin on the camper van
Nissan
The Nissan Caravan MyRoom Concept features a cool, clean exterior design
Nissan
Both the MyRoom and Mountain Base concepts will debut at this month's Tokyo Auto Salon
Nissan
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Nissan has started 2022 much like it started 2021, showing an inspiring adventure van concept that encourages a more active lifestyle. Its Caravan Mountain Base Concept looks and feels like a mountain lodge and offers a respite for weary trail runners pushing deep into the wild. It's both a pre-run staging point and post-run cool-down lounge.

Nissan used last year's Tokyo Auto Salon as an excuse to turn its Caravan into an impressive expandable mobile office, a working man or woman's personal nature escape. For this year's Auto Salon, it turns the mildly refreshed Caravan into a more rustic mobile space, using exterior wood paneling to give it the feel of a mountain lodge or cabin.

The paneling continues inside on the walls, ceiling and floor, supported by a structural lattice that works perfectly for hanging helmets, water bottles, coffee mugs and other outdoor gear. An electric fireplace completes the lodge-like feel, while a simple combination of long bench and worktop create a space that's functional for everything from preparing a meal, to lacing up running shoes, to mapping out a route. Above the worktop is a large digital screen visible through the wood paneling.

Inside the Mountain Base, Nissan keeps things warm with an electric fireplace (or maybe just a TV with crackling Yule Log) and organized with an integrated rack system
Nissan

The most interesting feature of the Mountain Base is its readily adjustable solar panel. Like other adventure-van solar arrays, it rides flat on the roof, collecting sunlight during the drive. At camp, however, it boosts efficiency by tilting up and rotating in the direction of the sun, thereby combining the benefits of a traditional roof-mounted system with those of a more adjustable standalone solar panel array that stores away during driving.

While Nissan designed the concept for trail runners, the build is simple and universal enough that it could support virtually any type of outdoor adventurer, from snowshoers and backcountry skiers in the winter, to mountain bikers and rock climbers in the summer.
Whatever the driver's passion, the rugged tires, off-road light bar and X-shaped protective front guard with diagonal running lights will help them get after it. Nissan also offers a 4WD option on the Caravan.

The Caravan Mountain Base Concept's ruggedized front-end accentuates the redesigned face of the Caravan
Nissan

Nissan doesn't show any indication of overnight camping capabilities on the Mountain Base, but in the absence of a pull-out sleeping platform, it looks easy enough to drop an inflatable pad down on the open floor. The large solar panel interferes with a rooftop tent, but a hitch-mounted tent or shelter would be another option. And, of course, carrying a good-old fashioned ground tent is always an alternative.

The Caravan MyRoom Concept puts a different spin on the camper van
Nissan

If those overnight solutions seem inelegant, Nissan will also show the Caravan interpreted as a rolling hotel room in Tokyo. The MyRoom Concept isn't a complete camper, but it does appear to be a luxurious living space with sofa, mattress, magazine holder, table, storage and plenty of light wood paneling of its own. Park it next to a secluded hot spring and you have yourself a private spa hotel.

The Tokyo Auto Salon kicks off on January 14. We'll look for additional Mountain Base Concept details once it gets underway.

Source: Nissan (Japanese)

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1 comment
ChairmanLMAO
I don't mind that look at all. I wonder if it will come in a tall version. Their NV cargo van has a horrible look. If it comes in 4 wheel drive and tall - sign me up. I love the tall vans ever since I got a Sprinter. The Ford is cheaper but it looks worse than the sprinter. IMO. I wish I had the money to build it out fully camperized like @Guzmanchinky but alas that is why I'd like a more affordable tall 4x4 van like this one.