Not sure how I missed this one.... Spring Gulch Campground, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana, USA. April 1, 2012. The world over, Mini drivers love to hit the road. But given today’s economic realities, many don’t like the expense of staying at roadside motels while on long-distance motoring adventures. Perhaps an equal number worry about the sustainability of large recreational vehicles. Worry no more hip road trippers. Today, Minibago USA, LLC, a tiny little division of MINI, formally introduces the ultimate home away from home: the 2013 Minibago. It’s the first fun-size interpretation of the classic American motorhome! Based on the MINIKAMP concept that made its North American debut at the 2010 Camp ‘Merica Expo in Omaha, Nebraska, the production 2013 Minibago maintains the compact size and fun-to-drive character Mini drivers expect while adding some of the comforts travelers desire. Built on a dedicated forward-control variant of the Mini Countryman’s front-drive chassis, Minibago shares many of its sibling’s features, including gutsy 1.6-liter engines and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. New “Twist-N-Go†keyed ignition is a quaint retro touch. Minibago marks the first use of the innovative MiniCabin Personal Space Module. With traditional-style laminated body surfaces, a class-exclusive* “NoSkeeters†carbon-composite screen door, and its signature roof-access ladder, Minibago checks all the boxes for classic American road-trip style. Inside, MiniCabin is trimmed in recycled MiniMica surface treatments in either Original Olive or faux-MiniMarble themes. Other MiniCabin features include MiniNap sleeping quarters for up to two adults** and the MiniMess kitchen/snack area. The revolutionary MiniPotti Waterless Personal Care Capsule is just another of Minibago’s class-exclusive features.* The UniMini human-hybrid one-wheeler with integrated on-board storage is offered as an exclusive accessory available only to Minibago USA, LLC’s Facebook friends. Chief Engineer Dr. Prof. Ludwig von Kampfans lead the team that brought the trendsetting MINIKAMP concept to production reality. At Minibago’s media introduction, von Kampfans said, “We’ve incorporated all of our relevant Isetta-era camp trailer knowledge into Minibago’s fun-size package. American-style motorhomes introduce many technical challenges that are at odds with the idea of a sporty, fun-size vehicle, yet we were supremely confident that these design contradictions were not insurmountable. In fact, the Minibago development team attacked this program in much the same way a bear takes to picnic kits. After exhaustive testing and countless overnight visits to campgrounds and Wal-Mart parking lots across North America and Europe, I can say with full confidence that each of the project’s goals has clearly been exceeded. The team is especially proud of MiniPotti.†Minibago will be offered in Minibago and Minibago S versions when it goes on sale at select Minibago Centers on April 1, 2012. Let’s Motorhome! *Sporty, fun-size front-drive motorhome class as defined by Minibago USA, LLC. **Adults defined as persons meeting human-sizing standard DIN AF4112. See website for details.