Land Rover produces some of the most capable
off-road vehicles on the market, but this concept, dubbed the Back Packer, is a
glimpse into a (not very possible) future. Styled by Edwin Senger, the
vehicle has not been designed with long road trips along perfectly smooth
highways in mind. Instead, it’s meant to go off the beaten path and explore the
most desolate places on earth.
The Back Packer’s roof mechanism can be completely
removed for an open-air driving experience. At the end of a day climbing over
rocks or crossing deserts, a tent-like canopy can be placed over the cabin and
the seats fold down, turning the interior into a mobile tent with room for two.
No mention is made about what kind of powertrain
could power the vehicle, but we presume it would be best suited for a small
electric powertrain hidden under the cabin and providing ample levels of torque
to allow the vehicle to cross harsh terrain. The concept also features airless
tires to improve its dependability and eliminate the possibility of getting a
puncture in the middle of nowhere.
We can’t really think of any production vehicles
currently on the market quite like the Back Packer. Only the Ariel Nomad offers
similarly minimalist off-road capabilities but lacks the practicality of this
concept. As much as we like what we see, we can’t imagine there being much
demand for a vehicle like this, so it will probably never see the light of day.
