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TG's guide to Japan

This Mitsubishi Delica campervan laughs off snow

As wintry weather lands, this off-road able camper nonchalantly shrugs it off

Published: 30 Jan 2019

There are many things Top Gear has a soft spot for, but chief among them are a) odd Japanese vehicles and b) quirky campervan conversions. Oh, and c) dogs. Therefore this bright orange contraption – which definitely combines the first two and could easily accommodate many of the latter – couldn’t be much further up our street.

Or mountain track. This Mitsubishi Delica-based campervan, dubbed the D:5 Terrain, has proper off-road ability thanks to a switchable four-wheel-drive system and some proper ride height.

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”Like no other camper on, or off the road, this 4WD campervan will take you and your crew off-road to wild and rugged places,” says Gary Hayes of Campers Scotland, who’s converted the Delica into the D:5. “Camp, cook, sleep in glens, near lochs, your favourite sandy beaches or forest.”

Glens. Lochs. This really is a properly Japanese-Scottish fusion, much like teriyaki haggis. Only a bit nicer.

While Campers Scotland prides itself on hybrid and tribrid campers (the latter is LPG, petrol and electric, since you ask), the Delica uses a regular, slightly old-school petrol engine. But worry not, because the cooking hobs use renewable energy and there are solar panels up top. Hurrah!

As well as all the locking diff-type stuff that should make it unburstable off the road, there’s a two-wheel-drive mode to save fuel when on it. Its elevating roof ensures it sleeps four people while there’s a 2.5-ton towing capacity so you can drag all your favourite off-road toys along with you. A handful of dirt bikes, an old Vauxhall Nova rally car, all of those dogs… 2.5 tons is plenty.

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We’re smitten. The fact it costs £27,995 – over ten grand less than the cheapest VW California, leaving a bigger fund for toys – only sweetens the deal.

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