When Brabus isn’t tuning Mercedes models’ engine outputs within a piston stroke of blowing up or churning out adorably upgraded Smart Fortwos, it is crafting incredible rolling executive suites dubbed Business Lounges. The latest such lavishly equipped van is based on the current Mercedes-Benz V-class and makes its debut at the 2017 Geneva auto show.
The newest Business Lounge separates the V-class’s two front seats from the rear compartment with a partition wall and a glass window with electronically variable opacity. A 40-inch TV can slide over the window and can display content from an Apple TV, a PlayStation 4, or passengers’ devices. Even though there are four seats in the rear quarters, only two truly matter: the “VIP” chairs facing the TV. Those seats are heated and ventilated, incorporate a massage function, and are fully adjustable from a seated position to a lay-flat, airplane-style sleeping berth. Brabus also fits a pair of jump seats (that appear to be fairly comfortable) that face backward and lean up against the forward partition wall but are far less adjustable. Those are for the assistants, it seems.
Each VIP seat has a control panel mounted alongside. The small touchscreen controls everything from the opacity of the partition and side windows to overhead reading lights and the TV. Occupants also benefit from a built-in coffeemaker, refrigerator, and bar, while an LTE data connection and Wi-Fi router ensure mobile-office capabilities. Because nobody wants to do business while drinking a hot or cold drink that doesn’t stay hot or cold, the cupholders in back can be heated or cooled. Naturally, leather covers nearly everything.
This being a Brabus-fettled Mercedes, there are power enhancements for the V-class’s 2.1-liter diesel engine and cosmetic upgrades for the boxy body. Brabus’s PowerXtra D4 performance kit juices the van’s diesel engine by 44 horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque, to 232 hp and 376 lb-ft. A sport exhaust is also fitted, and its quad outlets poking out from the V-class’s rear bumper are ambitious if not deviantly cool looking. A body kit and choice of Brabus-designed aluminum wheels round out the exterior modifications, with the front bumper even promising to reduce aerodynamic lift at higher speeds. Before you chuckle, the Business Lounge is capable of 130 mph. Oh, and this Euro-market-only rolling office starts at €298,000, or about $315,000 at current exchange rates.
from Car and Driver BlogCar and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/2mcLdTd
via IFTTT
0 comments:
Post a Comment