Stuttgart, Germany - As if to underline the perception that its upmarket X-Class one-tonner is aimed primarily at the leisure market, Mercedes-Benz and aftermarket camping specialist VanEssa have turned it into the ultimate picnic accessory.
This concept, created for the upcoming Caravan, Motor & Touristik show in the city, features a heavy duty pull-out module containing a fully equipped kitchen - including a coolbox, cooking and washing-up facilities with running water, as well as space for crockery, cutlery and supplies.
There’s even a second pull-out section that functions as a pantry, for storing dry goods.
The whole thing is protected by a cover made out of teak planks, laid to resemble the deck of a yacht, with special pneumatic struts that allow it to be propped up at 45 degrees, to shield the working areas from the wind.
VanEssa does recommend, however, that for extended camping trips you add a roof tent with a rear-facing entrance - and we’re sure that they have just the thing in their computer, ready to go.
Camper van
Also on the stand at the CMT show will be an X-Class fitted with this demountable concept camper body by Tischer, so that you can take your holiday home anywhere a 4x4 can go.
According to Tischer, the alcove over the bakkie’s double cab provides a sleeping space 1.5 metres wide and close to two metres long (that’s a full-sized double bed, just in case you’ve never bought household linens!) while the section inside the load bed has almost two metres of headroom, a kitchen with a three-burner stove and at-table seating for three.
The dining area converts to a second bed and the built-in bathroom has a swivelling toilet unit and a fold-away basin, making it big enough to shower in.
What Tischer hasn’t given us, unfortunately, is pictures of the interior - as soon as we see them, so will you.
