Meet the Sigma: Built for Freedom Without Friction

Road tripping around New Zealand is amazing, we all know this. But what actually makes or breaks the experience? The campervan. Specifically, whether it feels like home or just somewhere you're surviving between drives.

Most campervans make you choose: easy to drive but tight to live in, or spacious but stressful on the road. The Sigma doesn't ask you to pick.

The brand new Spaceships Sigma campervans are officially launching in October 2026, but I got to take it out early as one of the first Spaceship crew members to properly test it. After some time out on the road, setting it up and using it the way I like to travel, it’s clear the Sigma is built for people who want freedom without friction. Drives like a car, lives like a camper and doesn't overcomplicate the experience. Here’s what caught my attention.

The Sigmas compact 4.8m design - drives just like a car!

Drive Just Like a Car - No Stressing Around Here!

I’ve driven enough campervans to know when one feels like a compromise. The Sigma doesn’t feel like that. It’s compact at 4.8m, fully automatic and not once did it feel intimidating. With music blasting through the CarPlay stereo and air conditioning to cool me down, I was quite literally in my happy place just cruising along.

For those travelling to New Zealand, the Sigma is going to feel familiar immediately. I even drove it through Christchurch traffic and rural roads and had zero troubles. Everything was fine. Effortless even!

All the Sigma vehicles are brand new which means they are super fuel efficient and have lower running costs than bigger campers. Because of its size it’s even classed as a car on the Cook Strait ferry - great for the budget if you choose to travel between the North Island and South Island.

Off-grid power management made simple: Redarc touchscreen with solar, battery, and water tank monitoring

Off-Grid Capability - A Road Tripper’s Dream

Okay, so the Redarc touchscreen. I’ll admit, I’m not usually one to get too excited over technology. However, this new addition is something that I’d find super handy when out on the road.

Inside the Sigma, you’ll find a 4.3-inch touchscreen located conveniently by the bed. Turn it on and you’ll see everything that’s happening with your power in real time. Solar input, battery usage, water tank levels, the whole lot. For those who like to travel off the beaten track, seeing how long you can stay put before needing to move brings a new level of relaxation to the trip. No stressing about power or water when all the details you need are one touch away.

But that might not even be my favourite part… Ever been out on the road and desperately needed to charge your camera? Well, now you can! The Sigma has an inverter built in. This means you can easily plug in and charge your laptop, camera, drone or any device you need straight from the leisure battery without needing a powered campsite. I plugged in my laptop and sat at the interior table and it felt like the perfect remote work setup.

What really makes this off-grid capability work though is the self-contained certification. The Sigma’s got the green sticker, meaning you have more options for free campsites across New Zealand. I was impressed with how tidy the whole self-contained setup was. The toilet’s out of the way and easy to clean, the water tanks are under the floor and not in the main living space. Nothing feels like it’s taking over the space or making other activities awkward.

As someone who likes parking up in remote spots for days, the off-grid design genuinely is impressive.

A proper workspace for digital nomads

Lots of Space Inside a Spaceship? Funny That

All jokes aside, the Sigma is actually super spacious for a compact campervan. The clever bit is actually how the space inside can change. When I set the double bed up inside, it felt warm and cosy, good for colder nights when you want everything contained. But then I tried extending it out under the rear awning, and yeah… That’s the move! It honestly felt like the van magically grew. Being able to have the bed set up while still having space to move in the cabin and access to the bed box storage was almost a luxury. 

The internal table wowed me too. I’ve done trips where everything happens on or around the bed and you sort of adapt to it. But an actual table and bench seat to sit at? Talk about being proper! As someone who works remotely, this feature is super important for me. Great for general productivity but also comfort for working throughout the day. I found it super easy to adjust the setup and put it away when I didn't need it anymore.

In reality, the Sigma's brilliant for what it is - but it's not for everyone. It's a compact campervan so for two people it's perfect. Solo traveller? Some may say ever better! But families or anyone travelling with kids, the Sigma isn't for you. There's no backseat, just belted seating for two up front and the interior height is 1.2m so your not standing up inside. If that matters to you, a different vehicle will be more suitable. But for couples, friends travelling together, or solo adventures - the Sigma is a great option!

Dual battery system with solar panels - Easily charge all your devices

The Rear Awning - Opens Up A Whole New World

Using the rear awning for the first time was kind of like unlocking a secret level in a game. The thing is more clever than it looks! After setting it up and getting ready to make lunch I noticed the awning creates a perfect wind shelter for cooking. You know that annoying feeling when you’re trying to light a gas cooker and the wind keeps killing the flame? The rear awning helps to block that. No need to perform the awkward hunched over dance around the cooker to protect the flame.

But the clear panel in the awning above the rear window is the bit I keep thinking about. I only saw the setup during the day, but I was already imagining nighttime. Bed extended, lying there looking straight up at the stars through the panel. I can already see myself staying awake too long just staring up at it. It’d be the kind of setup that feels like camping, minus all the annoying bits. You’d get the whole sleeping under the stars feeling without being cold, damp or uncomfortable.

30% more interior space using the rear awning

Cooking Without The Chaos

Cooking while out on the road can sometimes feel like a chore - chopping boards balancing on the sink, nowhere to put ingredients, constantly shifting things around just to make a simple meal. The Sigma did not feel like that at all, and what I loved most was how simple cooking felt. Park up, lift the rear bed box and you’ll find everything you need - sink, fridge & storage. Cooking with a view really couldn’t get much better. 

Rear kitchen setup with integrated sink and fridge

Ready to Try it For Yourself?

What the Sigma does well is create a comfortable, liveable space perfect for extended travel. For travellers exploring New Zealand, you'll want something compact enough to feel confident on narrow roads and in busy towns but capable enough to park up somewhere remote and stay awhile.

If you’re planning a road trip and want the freedom to work from beautiful spots, cook with a view, sleep under the stars and move without stress. The Sigmas setup makes a lot of sense. Once you’re set up and good to go, the campervan becomes your safe home on wheels.

It’s a good one… ready to launch when you are.

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