Mercedes-Benz wants to steer visitors at the Caravan
Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany, to “travel into the future” with a host of camper
van concepts. The first one is called Concept Marco Polo, but unlike the production
versions of the V-Class, it’s a study equipped with what the automaker calls
the ‘Mercedes-Benz Advanced Control’, or MBAC in short.
This is an interface module with voice control that
allows users to access different functions of the vehicle, such as the air
suspension, lights and pop-up roof. The Mercedes-Benz Concept Marco Polo won’t
hit production, but the MBAC technology will, as it’s set to be implemented in
the new Sprinter from 2019.
The German carmaker will have the Sprinter Connected
Home study on display at the event, too. Billed as a “demonstration vehicle”,
it’s actually “close to production” as the firm admits, and features the same
MBAC technology as its V-Class-based sibling.
Another premiere for the Caravan Salon is the
Concept Sprinter F-Cell. It was officially unveiled last month and, just like
its name says, it runs on hydrogen. Backed up by three fuel cells, the
powertrain makes 200 PS and 350 Nm of torque. It
can travel for up to 300 km, or some 200 km more with the
extra tanks.
Mercedes-Benz’s stand at the event will also include
the B-Class ModernComfort camper van from HYMER, the Regent S camping bus from
La Strada, and the X-Class camper, in addition to a roof tent structure “with a
parallel-lift concept”.
