Honda has presented a brand-new ‘Dream Pod’ camping concept, inspired by compact Japanese ‘capsule hotels,’ to celebrate 30 years of the CR-V.
The Dream Pod is based on the plug-hybrid and hydrogen-powered CR-V e:FCEV (no word yet on whether the camping concept will make its way to North America), and has been designed to “bring home comfort to the great outdoors” with the inclusion of a sleeping area and a compact, working kitchenette.
Clever ‘Nestboard’ Includes Stove And Collapsible Sink
The Dream Pod base – the ‘EGOE Nestboard 650’ – is essentially a flatpack that’s mounted within, and has been built to fit perfectly within, the CR-V’s cargo area when the rear bench is folded flat. The Nestboard includes a double mattress, apparently designed to fit two adults (though that might be a tad ambitious).
Storage compartments have been built within the Nestboard for utensils, cutlery, plates and other select camping accouterments, but the main attraction is a sliding drawer into which has been built a cooking stove and a collapsible sink. Conjure up a more compact version of Mercedes’ Sprinter camper van, and you get the idea.
“The Nestboard includes a double mattress, apparently designed to fit two adults. Though that might be a tad ambitious.”
Additional elements to the Nestboard include reading lights, USB charging sockets – be mindful that the e:FCEV’s onboard batteries do allow up to 29 miles of all-electric range in North America and 49 miles in Europe, but you won’t want to deplete that energy too soon – and, in a neat touch, pull-out side tables. Retractable blinds can also be hung behind the front seats, and blackout curtains have also been provided for the rear windows.
Astrophotographer Proves Dream Pod Concept In Italian Alps; CR-V Third Best-Selling SUV Worldwide
In a bid to promote its new Dream Pod ‘home away from home,’ Honda recently invited acclaimed astrophotographer Benjamin Barakat to travel the Italian Alps in the pod-equipped Honda CR-V e:FCEV to capture pictures of Orion’s Nebula.
“Astrophotography is the process of going out, under the night sky and capturing it,” Barakat explained in an official statement. “It’s a huge difference compared to daylight, where you can see your subject clearly. You must be prepared to adapt to get the image, which is why the ‘Dream Pod’ was such a huge advantage. Knowing I would be comfortable and relaxed regardless of the location or time of day allowed me to perform at my best and deliver the most exciting pictures.”
It should perhaps be noted that, neat idea as it is, Honda has not revealed how much the Dream Pod weighs and/or costs, or indeed how much of an effect the pod and its contents has on the e:FCEV’s hydrogen fuel economy, or indeed the electric range.
The CR-V, still the best-selling model on Honda’s books, was first introduced as a ‘Compact Runabout Vehicle’ in 1995, with six generations of the mid-sized SUV presented since then. The third best-selling SUV in the world in 2024 behind only the Tesla Model Y and the Toyota RAV4, one million units of the CR-V have been sold in Europe alone in the last 30 years.
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