CMC HemBil Drift campervan

The side kitchen camper that allows you to cook al fresco...

The choice of side kitchen, pop-top campervans is bewildering, so it’s always best to stick with long-established converters that type-approve all their vehicles and use top-quality components.

Few fit the bill better than Kent-based Concept Multi-Car (CMC for short), a family-run firm that has been in business for 37 years, using the very best fittings from German firm, Reimo. CMC’s HemBil range focuses on practicality, with a durable finish that is well proven.

With Reimo roofs and the same company’s Variotech sliding seat systems, they are never going to be the cheapest option but the German engineering is worth paying a little more for.

Second sliding door, swing-out kitchen

With the Drift conversion, you’re also getting something a little different from the norm. Open the nearside sliding door and it might look like your typical side galley layout (just with clean lines and superior finish), but the fact that there’s an offside sliding door, too, hints at the model’s USP.

With the second sliding door open you can unscrew a single bolt and swing the kitchen outside.  With a Multirail fitted on each side, you could fit a canopy over the kitchen and a full driveaway awning on the opposite side.

Or just take advantage of the through view with both doors open. This novel feature doesn’t just keep cooking smells al fresco but makes the camper feels a lot more spacious inside.

Ford or Volkswagen

The demonstrator vehicle shown here is based on a Ford Transit Custom in top-of-the-range Trend trim – priced from £75,495 as a 136hp diesel with manual gearbox up to £79,115 for the 232hp plug-in hybrid PHEV version.

Or you can now order your Drift based on the latest Volkswagen Transporter, which is of course virtually the same vehicle.

The VW comes with the advantage of a five-year warranty and service plan but costs more, starting at £76,495 for the T30 with 110hp motor and stick shift and up to £82,875 for the 150hp automatic with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

All Volkswagens are again in the highest spec, called Commerce Pro. A long-wheelbase version of either Ford or VW adds £2,500 to your bill.

High spec

Returning to the vehicle seen here, it comes with flush-fit sliding windows – no wind noise-inducing inset panes or silly pop-out sections that give minimal ventilation. And, for maximum fresh air on site, the Reimo roof is the Open Sky version which can be opened to, err, the sky.

It also comes with a ‘comfort’ roof bed on a slatted base and LED strips set into the bed base. It is secured with a buckle and clasp mechanism rather than the previous straps. A 100W solar panel mounted on top is an option, while the 100Ah AGM battery can be upgraded to 180Ah lithium.

Superior finish

Unlike in cheaper campers, you’ll find very little carpet trim inside the Drift, while the Variotech bench seat not only slides forward for greater boot space or to bring kids closer to parents, but also offers a much more comfortable seat height.

It has three seatbelts and three height-adjustable head restraints and converts very quickly into a completely flat double bed measuring 1.97m by 1.26m. There are swivels on both cab seats, too.

Kitchen kit

Going back to the kitchen, the hob and sink can be used inside or out – the single Campingaz cylinder is in the swing-out section while the two 12-litre water carriers (easy to refill) store below the wardrobe.

There’s plenty of kitchen storage (including a cutlery drawer), while the 20-litre top-loading compressor fridge is in the fixed part of the kitchen – and it will hold more than you’d think.

The galley comes with two 230V and two 12V sockets (more can be added), while the corner wardrobe is fitted with both a hanging rail and a removable shelf. Eberspächer diesel heating is included as standard.  

All the things we love about CMC HemBil campers – great quality and practical design with the best Reimo components – but with the USP of being able to cook outside.