It says a lot about the creations that come from MINI, when the British automaker presents their “Cowley Caravan and Swindon Roof Top Tent” and we’re not sure if it’s an elaborate April Fools Joke or if it’s serious, as it was released on April 1st.
Essentially camping accessories for your MINI model, the Cowley Caravan can be color-coordinated to your vehicle and provides a getaway for two people. It comes with a twin-burner gas stove, a water tank, a refrigerator, stereo system, and TV/DVD player, with all of it powered by a solar panel that charges the onboard battery for the 230-volt power connector.
The Swindon tent on the other hand, is a collapsible box that fits on top of your MINI, MINI Clubman, or MINI Countryman. Once the box is open, there’s enough room for two people (barely) and according to MINI “the roof-top tent works a treat, whether the location for your beauty sleep is the English shires or the foothills of Kilimanjaro.” Descriptions like that make us really think this is a nicely done April Fools joke.
If indeed it’s all a joke, it’s a very nicely executed one. MINI went through a lot of work to make these concepts real and to shoot it all in a studio with color-matching models? Who knows, maybe they’re onto something!
