Advertisements
Traveling around in style is one of the perks of being incredibly wealthy. But this insanely luxurious motorhome raises the stakes for millionaires everywhere. The ride even comes with its very own garage! Just wait until you see the inside, though; you won’t believe your eyes.
The mega-rich have German manufacturer Volkner Mobil to thank for this awesome SUV. The man behind the brand, Gerhard Volkner, seems to have thought of every possible feature a person would need! And not just the fancy features, either – there’s all the practical stuff, too. The man’s had years of training in building vehicles – learning about everything from construction materials to the intricacies of hydraulics.
But all this learning meant it took a little while for Gerhard to actually start making these insanely luxurious motorhomes. To begin with, he was manufacturing transport trailers for the agriculture sector. And he then went on to create more industrial-style vehicles. At one point, Gerhard even dipped his toe into the production of horse transport trailers. So, when exactly did his focus shift?
It was in the late 1980s when everything changed for Gerhard. Inspired by his own constant travels on the road, he would design a new motorhome that prioritized comfort and technology. And after presenting the vehicle at the Caravan Salon trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, the entrepreneur completely changed tack – aiming to just produce a range of high-end mobile homes.
“My husband was always thrilled by going on holiday in a mobile home,” Stephanie Volkner, Gerhard’s wife, told business website International Trade News. “[And] he turned his hobby into a profession.” Stephanie did however add, “It helped that [my husband’s] company was in the construction of vehicles and machines.”
And after making its first appearance at the Caravan Salon, Volkner Mobil has since manufactured several different motorhomes. One feature is particularly noteworthy, however; every vehicle has a hydraulic loader that enables a mobile home to store another car under its body.
Then, in October 2017 Volkner Mobil unveiled its newest motorhome to the world: the Performance S. Valued at $1.7 million, the 40-foot vehicle also includes an impressive hydraulic garage that’s able to store a supercar such as a Porsche or Ferrari. However, it’s the interior of the Performance S that is particularly stunning.
For starters, the motorhome includes a sizeable lounge area, bedroom and bathroom. There’s a pretty well-furnished kitchen there, too, complete with a built-in dishwasher, sink and fridge as well as a microwave, an oven and an electric hob. The features of the Performance S don’t end there, though.
The vehicle impressively houses advanced entertainment options, too, while one of the walls can also slide out to create extra space. And Stephanie, the company’s managing director, has summed up the luxurious motorhome neatly. “It is a house on wheels,” the Daily Mail has quoted her as saying in 2017.
“Our clients normally have big companies,” Stephanie continued. “They want to travel freely. They want to decide when they start their journey where they can go – not before. They look at the weather and start. They want to live in their own, very personal area.”
Advertisements
And the Daily Mail has quoted Stephanie speaking about the work that has gone into making the Performance S. She has explained, “Exclusive is [very different] for everybody. Some need a golden faucet to be exclusive. For me, it’s exclusive that the interior has harmony – [that] all the materials are of the highest quality, and their processing is at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, the Performance S has apparently arrived as a response to what Volkner Mobile sees as a growing trend towards plusher, more lavish motorhomes. And according to the company, the lack of restriction given to the driver when it comes to their destination makes a huge difference when out on the road.
“There is the traveler who started with a tent in his youth and now has the money to afford an exclusive mobile retreat,” Stephanie revealed to International Trade News. “But there are more and more holidaymakers who appreciate the combination of luxury and freedom. They want to explore the whole of Europe.”
On that note, the managing director then touched on the changing perceptions of camping today, suggesting that advanced motorhomes have played their part. “We have to show potential customers that going by mobile home has nothing to do with restrictions,” Stephanie added. “Camping has got a totally new image.”
And, unsurprisingly, the reveal of the Performance S created plenty of buzz online, as people shared their thoughts on Volkner Mobil’s latest vehicle. The Daily Mail’s coverage of the motorhome in particular generated a lot of talk from internet users – some of whom were effusive in their praise for the Performance S.
“Dear Santa,” wrote one commenter. “This is what I’d like for Christmas.” Another individual echoed that sentiment, replying, “You and me both. Wow!” Meanwhile, one person chose to comment positively on the interior, writing, “Perfect kitchen, dishwasher at the ideal height [and] small and neat gadgets.”
However, not everyone was impressed by the Performance S. “That color scheme would give me a headache every morning,” wrote one rather underwhelmed commenter. “Forget about it – campers are much less expensive. All you have to do is unhook them from your vehicle, and you are free to travel around to sightsee, shop or whatever else you feel like doing.”
The naysayer added, “$1.7 million is ridiculous for something that is going to lose its value in a few years.” That was an opinion seemingly shared by another individual, who wrote, “[I’d] rather buy a 600k beautiful house, buy a nicely equipped RV for 120k, buy a fancy BMW for 100k and have plenty left over to travel when I’d like to.”
Despite any such reservations from the public, though, Stephanie already has her eye on the future. She has revealed, in fact, that the company is planning to work on even newer motorhome models in the coming years. “We like traveling the mobile way. And I think that many customers will switch to this option in the future,” the director told International Trade News.
Advertisements
Stephanie added to the website, “We want to remain a top player in the high-end segment and continue our quest for new models in the coming year. We have opted against serial production and now offer customized mobile homes that meet the exact specifications of each individual customer. This is what we are good at, and we want to keep it that way.”
