Automotive

Honda goes kei camping with N-Truck and N-Camp concepts

Honda goes kei camping with N-Truck and N-Camp concepts
Honda's N-Truck and N-Camp concepts on display at the 2015 Japan Camping Car Show in Tokyo (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
Honda's N-Truck and N-Camp concepts on display at the 2015 Japan Camping Car Show in Tokyo (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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The front unit is called the two-seater N-Truck and is based on the four-seater N-Box van (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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The front unit is called the two-seater N-Truck and is based on the four-seater N-Box van (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
The rear unit is called the N-Camp and here it is in full camping mode with extended roof and awning (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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The rear unit is called the N-Camp and here it is in full camping mode with extended roof and awning (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
At the Camping car show the N-Truck and N-Camp were shown in separated form (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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At the Camping car show the N-Truck and N-Camp were shown in separated form (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
Access inside the N-Camp is also through a large single piece tail gate (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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Access inside the N-Camp is also through a large single piece tail gate (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
The front half of the N-Truck is almost identical to the N-Box van to which it is based on (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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The front half of the N-Truck is almost identical to the N-Box van to which it is based on (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
The front hitch of the N-Camp trailer unit (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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The front hitch of the N-Camp trailer unit (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
The interior can be configured in both lounging and sleeping mode - shown here in lounging mode (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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The interior can be configured in both lounging and sleeping mode - shown here in lounging mode (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
Honda displayed their concept in an ideal camping set up
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Honda displayed their concept in an ideal camping set up
Honda's N-Truck and N-Camp concepts on display at the 2015 Japan Camping Car Show in Tokyo (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
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Honda's N-Truck and N-Camp concepts on display at the 2015 Japan Camping Car Show in Tokyo (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
View gallery - 9 images

At this year's Japan Camping Car Show in Tokyo, Honda has unveiled a two-piece concept that takes the kei car camping. Based on Honda's popular N-Box that was released in 2012 and following on from other N-Box-based concepts on display at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon, the N-Truck looks like a micro semi-articulated truck and couples with the N-Camp, a pint-sized caravan/trailer.

Kei cars are a class of vehicle that must conform to body and engine size restrictions to receive toll and tax breaks in certain major Japanese cities. Honda's N-Box is one of the most popular and this reworking of the platform threatens to take it outside its metropolitan comfort zone and appeal to those keen to hit the open road.

The camping and recreation market in Japan is in quite good health at the moment, with sales remaining steady despite the financial problems in Japan`s economy. Such market success is due to Japan`s aging population deciding go sightseeing and travel around the country after reaching retirement. Honda is hoping to extend this demand and interest to a younger generation with a concept that is aimed more towards the weekend-adventurer rather than the long-term explorer.

The front unit is called the two-seater N-Truck and is based on the four-seater N-Box van (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
The front unit is called the two-seater N-Truck and is based on the four-seater N-Box van (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)

Honda has thought outside the (N-)box, turning it into a cab style micro pick-truck to which it has added a tall, windowed trailer. To keep the two-piece unit as short as possible, the front of the N-Camp trailer overhangs the rear of the N-Truck pick-up, giving it the silhouette of a semi-articulated truck. However, is is towed in the same way as a caravan trailer by way of a normal ball and hitch.

The interior of the N-Camp is arranged in a lounge style with large windows and comfortable chairs in which to sit back and admire the view. For sleeping, a series of flat boards are put in place that allow two people to sleep above the lounge area and also still admire the view. To give the upper deck more headroom, an end hinged raising roof is also added.

The interior can be configured in both lounging and sleeping mode - shown here in lounging mode (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)
The interior can be configured in both lounging and sleeping mode - shown here in lounging mode (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)

While Honda wasn't sharing much in the way of technical details, the spokesperson at the show was keen to let us know that the company has some serious ambitions of offering an off the shelf RV/trailer sometime in the future. Only time will tell if the end product looks anything like the N-Truck and N-Camp.

View gallery - 9 images
6 comments
6 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is way cool. It would be neat to do something like that with one of the small cars (Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, Smart Fortwo) available here in the USA.
I have seen photos of a Smart pickup that would be ideal as the tow vehicle for this cool little camper trailer.
Glen Aldridge
So there must be some secret science I am not aware of since Kei cars are restricted to what 800cc's or less? How is that going to pull the weight of two people, their gear, the car & trailer up any hill?
tyme2par4
This looks strikingly similar to a VW beetle modification I have seen a video of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XL0TysIn0
Vadim Romanovich
Instead of a camper, make this into a van instead, then I'd line up to buy this. Of course the ball hitch would have to be replaced with a more secure type of connection. As Glen mentioned, the small car would have a hard time pulling the extra load; so make the car a small electric with a ~50 mile range and the gas powerplant in the trailer. This way, I have a commuter car for everyday use and a people carrier for when I go with my family on long car trips!
Bill Bennett
I want one, take the dog camping without the kids, we would have fun, yes JJ is the best dog in the whole wide world.
Bill Bennett
North Umpqua river valley, up to Crater Lake, 5 MPG up to Crater Lake, 38 MPG on the way home