A HOME ON WHEEL – WONDERFUL TECHNOLOGY
When seen on the road, this camper van does not look out of the ordinary.
However, its interior hides a very impressive and secretive design which can double its living space at the touch of a button.
The new invention transforms the T5 Doubleback into a 26ft long home on wheels.
The inside of the ‘pod’ reveals luxurious seating for five people which can be rearranged to make a huge bed, with a foldaway table.
Made from cutting edge aluminum composite used by the airline industry, the insulated rear extension weighs less than 300lbs but is strong enough to take the weight of a family of four.
It adds an extra two metres to the overall length of the long wheelbase van and is propped up by special self-levelling struts.
The deluxe motor is the latest in a long line of iconic VW campervans, which became an instant hit with travellers worldwide after their launch by the German car company in 1950.
The Doubleback model is the first campervan to feature the sliding technology, which takes less than a minute to extend.
However, living space isn’t the only thing that doubles.
A basic 2013 T5 Doubleback will set buyers back £54,000 while a top-spec model with added extras like a flatscreen TV, DVD player, beds in the roof and an awning could cost up to £70,000.
The van also has the usual mod-cons like a built-in cooker, fridge, convertible bed and even a lifting roof.
The Doubleback is the product of a collaboration between renowned VW camper specialists Danbury Motorhomes of Bristol and Welsh company Overlander Motorhomes.
A spokesman for Danbury Motorcaravans said: ‘The Doubleback model is a unique, exciting new concept in camping.
‘The beauty of this van is that on first appearance it looks like any other, but then the back slides out and it transforms into a van like no other.
‘It is the perfect campervan, offering extended living space within a normal sized, self-contained van.
‘It gives much more flexibility than a standard camper thanks to the extending pod which adds so much more space.
‘The back section really does become like a living room.
‘I imagine there will be more than a few dropped jaws when campers see the Doubleback’s pod in action – they will have never seen anything quite like this.
‘It is like Thunderbirds technology. It is the evolution of more than 60 years of the iconic Volkswagen camper.
