Nissan retains the manufacturing unit camper vans coming. Its latest is constructed atop its smallest van, the Clipper kei van, which measures in underneath 3.4 meters (11.2 ft) lengthy. To make it a micro-camper, Nissan depends on a fundamental family staple with which on a regular basis DIY handymen have been acquainted for ages: pegboard. The van’s built-in peg panels function a easy, reasonably priced technique of holding up the mattress and offering extremely versatile storage group for associated (and unrelated) outside adventures.
If you happen to’re not acquainted with the Clipper identify however really feel such as you’ve seen its puggish face earlier than, that is doubtless as a result of it is a rebadged Suzuki Each, one other Japanese kei van that pops up sometimes in micro-camper and tiny off-roader guise.
Nissan
The Clipper is the smallest van in Nissan’s home business automobile lineup, sitting under the NV200 that is nonetheless on provide in Japan, lengthy after being discontinued within the US and Europe. The Clipper was beforehand referred to as the NV100 Carry, numbering it neatly because the smallest in a van household that additionally consists of the Caravan (NV350). Nissan shortened it to simply Clipper Van in 2024.
We have seen Nissan provide varied camper packages and concepts for the 2 larger Japanese-market vans, and now it is promoting one as a part of a Clipper refresh it introduced this month. The package deal was developed by Nissan’s Motorsports & Customizing arm NMC and is technically extra of a sleeper package than a full camper van. The truth is, the mattress is not even probably the most important a part of the package deal, which NMC calls the “Multi-Rack” after the quartet of customized pegboard panels that line the insides of the D-pillars.
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In contrast to the pegboard that you simply, your father and his father earlier than him may need used or nonetheless use to arrange all manners of instruments, {hardware} and equipment within the storage, basement, shed, house workshop or the entire above, the pegboard panels on this case do not use easy rows of holes however a extra proprietary design with cross-shaped cutouts surrounded by spherical holes. They finally perform the identical, although, serving as a quick, easy attachment interface for varied hooks and brackets that may then be used for hanging gear instantly or hanging and creating extra advanced layouts.
The obtainable 5-cm-thick (2-in) multi-piece mattress units up atop longitudinal help beams that safe to the pegboard. Completed with a rugged, water-repellent Cordura exterior shell cloth, that mattress fills out the whole thing of the tiny Clipper’s rear cabin behind the entrance seats, providing a sleeping space of 180 x 117 cm (71 x 46 in). The help bars modify to 4 completely different heights, letting customers dial it in precisely what’s most comfy for them.
Nissan
The Multi-Rack variant additionally comes with a stain-resistant load space flooring and is designed to double as an efficient tiny adventurer, DIY transporter, on a regular basis bag provider and all-around cargo workhorse. The pegboard on this case doubles to carry in place varied hanging and storage equipment for carrying fishing rods, instruments, tenting gear and extra. The collapsed mattress can double as a shelf for splitting the storage space into two separate areas.
Under, you see how Nissan transforms the Clipper right into a bicycle shuttle and micro-workshop, utilizing the pegboard and its accompanying brackets to carry instruments and equipment whereas carrying two bicycles through a fork mounting system secured on to the ground.
Nissan
The Clipper business cargo van that serves as the idea of the Multi-Rack package and the Clipper Rio mild passenger van have additionally acquired tech updates as a part of the minor refresh. An improved driver help suite now packages normal lane departure prevention, site visitors signal recognition, clever emergency braking, and pedal misapplication collision prevention. The lovely pint-sized vans additionally get a modest facelift with redesigned entrance bumper and black grille and facet mirror caps.
Nissan is not the primary to think about making a pegboard camper conversion, as Austria’s Cargo Clips is one other firm that is used it to impressive effect, however we like the way it manages to wring a great deal of versatility out of such a tiny, reasonably priced van.
The Multi-Rack package deal might be ordered for the high-roof Clipper Van in GX or GX Turbo trims, every of which options Suzuki’s 658cc R06A three-cylinder engine with a repeatedly variable transmission. It is obtainable in each 2WD and part-time selectable 4WD varieties. Pricing begins at a fully pleasant ¥2,238,500 (US$14,075).
