The Toyota Prius-powered RV minivan offers high efficiency at a low price

Scottish company Campervan Co has been building some of the most efficient electrified motorhomes in the world for almost a decade, but with its latest build it has really outdone itself. Designed for highly efficient driving and camping, the all-new Eco Escape features a five-seat, four-berth interior in a Toyota Estima MPV with hybrid synergy power and electrified four-wheel drive. Campervan Co offers space for an elegant concealed kitchen cabin, a fully adjustable three-seater bench/bed and a dining area, without sacrificing a bit of everyday practicality.

Campervan Co. has recently expanded its range to include fully electric and hybrid campers based on brand new vans. However, the starting signal dates back to 2006, when the company converted used vans imported from Japan – a tradition that continues to this day. In parallel, the company launched what it called the world’s first hybrid motorhome in 2016 by converting a used Toyota Alphard Hybrid MPV. Since then, the company has expanded its eco-friendly offering to include some of the most innovative hybrid and “tribrid” RVs in the world.

The Eco Escape is the latest model in the campervan family of used Japanese MPVs, reinvented as Scottish eco-mini campers. This time, Campervan Co. is using a third-generation Toyota Estima Hybrid instead of the Alphard Hybrid.

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The 3rd generation Estima Hybrid is approximately 480 cm long and features an all-wheel drive version of the Hybrid Synergy drive system that Toyota first introduced in the Prius. Called “E-Four” in Japan, the AWD layout combines a front axle powered by a combination of a 2.4-liter gasoline engine and electric motor with a rear axle powered solely by its own electric motor. Referred to as AWD-i and AWD-e in other markets, an evolution of the Estima E-Four system eventually found its way into well-known models such as the RAV4 Hybrid and Prius AWD-e.

With this split drive, the Estima Hybrid offers an optimal combination of Prius-derived efficiency, low emissions and all-wheel-drive off-road and weather traction. Campervan Co also highlights that the Eco Escape complies with Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) requirements, meaning there is no daily charge for travel in London.

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Campervan Co further enhances the Estima’s inherent efficiency by bringing with it a full range of camper equipment, encouraging buyers to use it as an everyday vehicle without the need to remove or rearrange large parts of the equipment. The converter begins with the installation of a Superglide Varitrak floor track mounted to the rear “rock and roll” bench/lounger. The rails provide more flexibility to increase legroom when driving and camping, maximize trunk space for carrying cargo, and quickly convert the bench seat into a full-width bed.

Instead of a large stand-alone kitchen that would take up a lot of space in the passenger compartment, Campervan Co relies on an ultra-elegant kitchen pod that is installed in the trunk basin. With the help of wooden covers, it serves as a flat trunk floor while driving and offers space for luggage, backpacks, groceries and camping equipment. If you remove the covers, you can see a small sink with a folding tap on the left, a small compressor cooler in the middle and a storage compartment for the induction hob on the right. The pod also has an integrated water tank and leisure battery system, eliminating the need to carry an LPG tank.

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“What we don’t want is RVs sitting on the driveway eight out of 10 months. “This is a waste of resources and does not take into account the incredible benefits that hybrid vehicles bring in reducing emissions,” said Gary Hayes, founder of Campervan Co. “We designed this hybrid RV for everyday use – we want customers to use it every day to go to work or take the kids to school, and then outfit it for canoeing or camping on the weekend.”

Campervan Co completes the build with swivel front seats, a removable central dining table and two additional sleeping spaces in the roof area. For the latter, buyers can choose between the standard TentBox rooftop tent (RTT) and an available pop-up pop-up roof tent.

Campervan Co

Campervan Co is currently advertising motorhomes built on Estima hybrids in model years 2006 to 2013 and with mileage between 20,000 miles and 70,000 miles (32,000 and 112,600 km). Of course, the base price of £19,995 (about $25,275) means a 2006 model with an odometer of between 60,000 and 70,000 miles and a TentBox RTT. For newer and lower mileage models the price increases gradually and with the roof pop option there is a flat rate of £1,000 ($1,275).

Buyers can select specific model years and mileage ranges to get what they believe is the best overall value, and Campervan Co offers a variety of vehicle and camping accessories including a dashcam system, portable toilet, microwave, solar charging, bike racks and Newly upholstered front seats in the cab to match the interior of the motorhome.

Source: Campervan Co