The Stars of the Show -- Superlative Camper Vans Based on the Mercedes-Benz Antos and Actros at the Caravan Salon 2015 in Dusseldorf

STUTTGART/DUSSELDORF -- Sept. 4, 2015: Usually they are to be found reliably and economically conveying freight as part of short and long-distance transport operations, day in, day out. But the heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz Antos and Actros trucks have other talents entirely, for they also serve as the ideal platform for the ultimate high-class hand-produced camper vans. Two stars amongst them are the Vario Alkoven 1200 based on the Mercedes-Benz Antos and the Concorde Centurion 1200 based on the Actros.

A floor tiled and heated throughout, fine furniture featuring a genuine veneer in American cherry in the living room, and sanded-varnish furniture in the spacious bedroom. A work surface in the kitchen and a wash basin in the bathroom tailor-made in cast stone, fine leather upholstery on the sofas – the Vario Alkoven 1200 is going up in the world from interior to “dreamterior”. The camper van from the Vario Mobil production facility in Bohmte near Osnabrück is a masterpiece of handcraftsmanship, which is also evident in the wall covering made of a furniture relief wood with a sanded-varnish finish in the corridor leading to the bathroom and the illuminated glass cabinet with a satined door.

Two hydraulically extending bays increase both the living room and the bedroom of the twelve-metre-long, four-metre-high superlative mobile home. The on-board technology is equally as exciting as the furniture. Take the two 32-inch flat screens, steam cooker and induction hob, central vacuum cleaner and washing machine with a tumble dryer, for instance. A camera system secures the door – after all, you want to know who's coming knocking. Independence while travelling is ensured by batteries with a capacity of 1200 Ah, a power inverter with an output of 6000 W, a solar energy system and generator. In the tanks there are 390 l of diesel and 500 l of fresh water. And in the rear garage with automatic intake a Mercedes-Benz SLK awaits a jaunty spin, in case things should get too tight for the camper van.

The load-bearing basis of the Vario Alkoven 1200 is an air-suspended Mercedes-Benz Antos 2543 L with a slim M-cab fully equipped from the bi-xenon headlamps to the Active Brake Assist 3 emergency braking assistant. Thanks to its six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 10.7 l and output of 315 kW (428 hp), the three-axle vehicle is generously motorised and has a weight of up to 25 t. As an option the luxury model is also manufactured on the basis of the Mercedes-Benz Actros.

Just as spectacular is the Centurion 1200, the individually produced flagship of the camper van manufacturer Concorde based in Aschbach, Franconia. Beneath the hefty body is an Actros 2542 with a GigaSpace cab, also with full air suspension. Alongside the spectacular dimensions including a length of twelve metres and a height of 3.85 m, there are the unmistakeable hallmarks of a super-class camper van, from the illuminated Mercedes star through chromed mirror trims to the window-level panelling with black-tinted safety glass.

One of the Centurion 1200's special features: the cab is integrated into the living room, and travelling companions make themselves at home on two pivoting single seats behind the cockpit. In the Concorde, too, a long extendable bay enlarges the living room. Its furniture sports genuine wood veneer in dark walnut plus high-gloss surfaces in black metallic and beige. The light from numerous LED lamps falls on features such as a kitchen whose fitted implements are shining examples in stainless steel fronts, including a dishwasher.

The hot-water central heating regulates the underfloor heating with different zones in the living room, bathroom and bedroom. The cab of the Actros is not only fully insulated; it also boasts underfloor heating. Holidaymakers on the luxury yacht on wheels can store 500 l of diesel fuel and freshwater respectively plus 100 l of gas. There is also a generous electrical supply, with a capacity of 750 Ah plus a power inverter rated at 3500 W.

Beneath the wall unit and the transversely positioned double bed in the tail end there is room for a passenger car. Above this there is a large compartment featuring a bicycle garage with a lift so that shorter excursions can be undertaken too. A door lock with fingerprint security ensures that the occupants of the Centurion 1200 are not disturbed.

The platform for the Concorde Centurion 1200 is the Mercedes-Benz Actros 2542 L. Its six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 12.8 l delivers an output of 310 kW (421 hp), which is generous given the permissible GVW of 26 t.

Both of the ultimate super-class land-going yachts plus further luxury camper vans on truck and coach chassis from Mercedes-Benz can be admired along with many other camper vans until 6 September at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, the world's biggest trade fair for leisure vehicles.