Ford Tourneo Custom PHEV From Panama
There are very few campers with a fully electric drivetrain, but the first hybrid solutions are already available. Manufacturer Panama plays a pioneering role in this regard with their camper based on the plug-in hybrid Ford Tourneo Custom PHEV.
The classic VW bus was the benchmark for decades in the segment that is now very hiply called urban camper . Those times are over. Today, the industry often uses Ford models as a base, particularly the Transit Custom intended mainly for commercial use and the more comfortable and expensive passenger version called Tourneo Custom. Ford builds these models in Gölcük, Turkey. The new Volkswagen Transporter is not far from it: nowadays it’s a sister model of the Custom. As a young camper brand, which is part of the French Trigano group, Panama has no history, but all the more ambition. Panama wants to gain market share in the smallest camper segment. Currently, Panama delivers seven variants of the Peak model based on the Transit Custom, and four more based on the Tourneo Custom will be added.
The Panama Peak P\10H we tested is the top model, with the hybrid drivetrain as the most striking aspect. In this model, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, which delivers only 102 hp, is combined with a powerful electric motor of 131 hp. This results in an impressive system power of 233 hp. The compact camper clearly has no lack of drive with this, but you have to dig deep into your pocket for it.
Not Cheap: Starting from 64k
The Titanium equipment package from Ford is included in the price. The test car is another rough ten thousand more expensive, partly due to the Active package, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning with two zones, and LED taillights. A gas heater is part of the also optional Living package. The 5-kg gas bottle that powers this system runs out fairly quickly when it’s really cold outside. A 600W inverter and a mobile toilet are also part of the mentioned package.
Space for Five Travelers
We have no complaints about the layout of the Peak P\10H, because everything is where you expect it. It offers space for five travelers, four of whom can sleep in the vehicle. But then it becomes, as is usually the case with campers from this segment, a tight affair. The bed on top is almost two meters long, but also narrower than the sleeping area below on the three-seater bench. The latter can be quickly transformed into a sleeping facility; the folding topper then guarantees a comfortable sleeping place. The bench is movable, but it is also heavy and sometimes gets stuck in the rails. On the left side of the camper, in the usual spot, the kitchen unit can be found. Under a narrow flap, a nicely concealed, deep cooler with a capacity of no less than 36 liters is placed. There is plenty of space available in the furniture block below, which has a flat drawer that you can still open even after the bed conversion. You can store 65 liters of fresh water on board; the wastewater tank is significantly smaller at 35 liters. The side windows are very darkly tinted, which is more noticeable inside than outside. The integrated roller blinds also contribute to maximum privacy on board.
Produced in Spain
For the windows in the cockpit, custom-made insulation mats are supplied (in a special bag), which unfortunately take up a lot of space and even get in the way when not used. The same applies to the ladder that provides access to the upper section, as it has no fixed storage place. Practical is the table (54 x 80 cm), which you can also use outside the camper thanks to three legs. After use, you can conveniently store it in a bag attached to the rear hatch. There are also two foldable brackets where you can hang towels or clothing to dry. With such practical details, this camper scores points, just like the modern design and very high-quality finish.
233 hp is Nice
In terms of driving, this camper makes a very enthusiastic impression. What else would you expect, with 233 hp on the front wheels. You drive away on the electric motor, after which the Ford activates the combustion engine and the Peak takes big steps forward with its generous system power. It drives just as sporty as it looks. The elegant silver-gray metallic in which the test camper is finished suits it excellently, but that color is optional. Standard is white. The plug-in hybrid Ford has a maximum range of 51 kilometers on paper when driving purely electrically, but in practice, you get less far. If the 11.8-kWh battery is empty, the vehicle must stand at the charging station for three hours until the battery is full again. Without electro-assistance, the gasoline engine performs much less impressively and becomes thirsty. Depending on the driving style, consumption can easily exceed 1 in 10. On the large 13-inch touchscreen placed on the dashboard, everything can be read in detail. The screen displays the charging and driving status, provides navigation, and with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, all smartphones can be quickly integrated. There are some assistants on board, such as lane assist, active cruise control, rain sensor, and automatic high beam. Speaking of light: the Tourneo Custom is delivered from the factory with bi-LED headlights.
Precision and Dynamics, True Ford
Despite its explosive performance, the Tourneo Custom as a hybrid with its continuously variable automatic transmission drives smoothly, but the rolling comfort is moderate. The braking system, on the other hand, is particularly decisive. With its special, angular steering wheel, the Peak can be steered through corners with much precision and dynamics. This maneuverability is also thanks to its rear wheel suspension with coil springs – in this regard, it’s more of a passenger car than a van. It also feels at home in the city, despite its wheelbase of 3.10 meters. With its length of just over five meters, you can usually park the hybrid Peak on the street without problems. In garages and parking garages, this rarely works: with its height of 2.06 meters, it clearly exceeds the commonly used limit of two meters.
Panama Peak P\10H
Length: 5.04 m Seats: 5
Sleeping places: 4