Mercedes-Benz Actros based motorhome targets high rollers

Brabus is best known for its crazy-fast, tricked-up Mercedes-Benz and Porsche vehicles, but more recently has dipped its toes in the marine market with some limited-edition hi-po jet boats and powered wake boards.

Now the German tuning house has built its first recreational vehicle, based on a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck and not surprisingly, it's a big ticket item with plenty of wow-factor and loaded up with premium features.

Aptly called the Brabus Big Boy 1200 (named after one of the biggest locomotives in the world), the new 12.0m long x 2.5m wide x 4.0m high monster motorhome gets Brabus' signature matte-black exterior, plus all the latest appliances and techno-wizzardy you'd expect in a multi-million-dollar, European luxury motorhome.

Powering the triple-axle rig is a 390kW/2600Nm, 12.8-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel engine, and externally the Big Boy 1200 also boasts auto-levelling hydraulically extendable supports, an electric fold-down stairwell and digital entry, fog light covers, a roof light bar, sports side wind deflectors and a 360-degree camera system.

There's both a diesel heater with underfloor heating and an air-conditioner, and the 427L fresh water tank, 270L grey water tank and 170L black water tank, are also heated and insulated for sub-zero camping. To run all the power-hungry appliances off-grid there's a 24V 1000Ah lithium battery system with 960W rooftop solar and a 5000W inverter, plus a 6.4kW diesel generator.

Inside, it's like a six-star hotel with more than 30sq.m of living space including four powered slide-outs that expand the bedroom and living areas. Sleeping is on an electric 160 x 200cm double bed, with the 'Masterpiece' fit-out also including a kitchen with induction cooktop, dishwasher, two fridges (one for wine!), plus a slide-out pantry for your wine glasses. One of the two lounges cleverly converts to a dinette, and the luxury ensuite is about as spacious and modern as you get in an RV.

As can be seen in the promotional video (above), there are lots of other clever internal packaging and storage solutions inside, not to mention lashings of premium leather, plush carpet and wood trim. A state-of-the art-communications set-up includes a Starlink satellite link, with fancy mood lighting and auto window blinds adding to the premium feel.

If that's not enough, buyers can opt for the Brabus Carbon Package, which includes a driver's cab wind deflector, fog light frame, door handles and radiator grille trim, all made from carbon fibre.

The price for the 90km/h (top-speed) motorhome has been reported to be around US$1.5million, and there's a small chance the Big Boy 1200 will make its way down under, as Brabus says on its website that the 26 tonne-rated, A-class motorhome "is only available for approved markets".