This Transforming Van Got Back

Perhaps it’s just us, but when temperatures descend in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere, ideations about packing everything in and heading south tend to arise. Should one be so nomadically disposed, we think the Doubleback by UK’s Danbury Motor Caravans would be a pretty slick getaway vehicle.

Based on the Volkswagen Transporter, the van is reminiscent of Westfalia vans of yore and its modern descendants. Unlike those vehicles, with a flick of a switch, the Doubleback has a motorized tail that extends out, adding an additional 6.5′ of usable space (basically, double the standard layout). Self-leveling legs descend from the tail that can handle up to 1300 lbs of load (not that you’d ever need that much). The tail has a lightweight composite and aluminum construction that only adds another 330 lbs, which surely help keep fuel consumption reasonable. The addition of the tail adds considerable breathing room to the normally tight VW van interiors.

The van also features two swiveling captains chairs at the front, bench seating for three in the rear, a removable dining table, a kitchen and an additional drop down bed on the top of the cab, making it able to sleep up to four. The standard setup only has two buckled seats, meaning parents might have to leave their kids at home or choose the option for a third seat directly aft of the front seats (still not ideal for a family of four or larger, which we imagine this vehicle would suit well).

The Doubleback cost £55K (US$88K), and looking around Danbury’s site, we imagine you could option it out to make it a bit more. Unfortunately, it’s not available in the US.

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