Automotive

Brabus consolidates technology in its latest Business Lounge van

Brabus consolidates technology in its latest Business Lounge van
The Brabus V-Class Business Lounge looks like one of the most comfortable ways to travel by highway
The Brabus V-Class Business Lounge looks like one of the most comfortable ways to travel by highway
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The new Brabus Business Lounge includes comfortable VIP seating, inductive phone charging and folding tables
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The new Brabus Business Lounge includes comfortable VIP seating, inductive phone charging and folding tables
Each seat has its own Touch Control Panel at the side and access to the central media touchscreen
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Each seat has its own Touch Control Panel at the side and access to the central media touchscreen
Brabus offers subtle updating on the exterior, including a front spoiler
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Brabus offers subtle updating on the exterior, including a front spoiler
The Brabus V-Class Business Lounge looks like one of the most comfortable ways to travel by highway
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The Brabus V-Class Business Lounge looks like one of the most comfortable ways to travel by highway
The new Brabus Business Lounge costs close to €300K
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The new Brabus Business Lounge costs close to €300K
Brabus Business Lounge for V-Class
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Brabus Business Lounge for V-Class
The power-adjustable seats can recline into sleeping position
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The power-adjustable seats can recline into sleeping position
A 40-in display and surround sound system help in entertainment and productivity
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A 40-in display and surround sound system help in entertainment and productivity
On board the latest Brabus Business Lounge
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On board the latest Brabus Business Lounge
The heart of the new Business Lounge, the Touch Control Panels help passengers operate everything from lighting, to seat adjustments, to window tinting, to the safe box
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The heart of the new Business Lounge, the Touch Control Panels help passengers operate everything from lighting, to seat adjustments, to window tinting, to the safe box
A external-access controller provides additional convenience
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A external-access controller provides additional convenience
In the past, Brabus has used curtains for privacy on its Business Lounges, but the new V-Class model welcomes the launch of electronically tinting glass
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In the past, Brabus has used curtains for privacy on its Business Lounges, but the new V-Class model welcomes the launch of electronically tinting glass
The Brabus Business Lounge is a great way to work and play on a long road trip
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The Brabus Business Lounge is a great way to work and play on a long road trip
The partition can be opened to interact with the driver, or the passengers can rely on the built-in intercom
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The partition can be opened to interact with the driver, or the passengers can rely on the built-in intercom
Fold-out assistant seats accommodate two more on shorter trips
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Fold-out assistant seats accommodate two more on shorter trips
The assistant seats fold out of the way when not in use
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The assistant seats fold out of the way when not in use
Onboard coffeemaker
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Onboard coffeemaker
A refrigerator keeps food and drink chilled
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A refrigerator keeps food and drink chilled
Brabus glasses and cups
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Brabus glasses and cups
Someone who rides in a €300,000 van will likely have some valuables; an electronic safe keeps them secure
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Someone who rides in a €300,000 van will likely have some valuables; an electronic safe keeps them secure
Brabus offers the Business Lounge package on the V-Class with extra-long wheelbase
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Brabus offers the Business Lounge package on the V-Class with extra-long wheelbase
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Brabus business vehicles have long been lusted after by workaholics and digital nomads the world over. With each of these vehicles, Brabus reinvents the average Mercedes as a powerful rolling office. Brabus' latest Business Lounge puts more tech than ever at passenger fingertips. The upfitted V-Class van also keeps those passengers cozy and occupied with reclining seats, a refrigerator, a coffeemaker, and a full-blown productivity and entertainment suite. If you simply must travel by automobile, not private jet or superyacht, this is the way to do it.

The heart of the new V-Class Business Lounge is Brabus' new Touch Control Panel system, which puts full touchscreen control within arm's length of each of the two VIP rear passengers. There's also a panel accessible from the entryway, so passengers can start setting things up before they even step inside.

The typical passenger will likely start his or her touch controlling by adjusting the seat to taste. The two VIP seats can recline from fully upright to sleeping position and offer massage, adjustable lumbar support, heating and ventilation, all of which are controlled by way of that handy touch panel. An electric footrest below each seat further enhances comfort.

The power-adjustable seats can recline into sleeping position
The power-adjustable seats can recline into sleeping position

After getting comfortably cocooned in their recliners, passengers can turn their attention to properly partitioning themselves. The power-operated partition system can raise a 40-in (1-m) television or glass partition panel to separate passenger cell and driver cab. In place of the curtains we've seen on past Business Lounges, Brabus launches electronically tinting "magic glass" on the side windows, rear window and partition glass to provide full privacy. This, too, is controlled with the touch panel. When the partition is up, the passengers can use an intercom to communicate with the driver.

Those passengers that choose not to fully recline and snooze the ride away have access to the Brabus Media Center. Videos, music and other content can be played on the 40-in display and custom surround sound system or on individual devices connected via the onboard Wi-Fi network. In a break from the Touch Control Panels, passengers select infotainment content via a media center touchscreen mounted between the seats. The multimedia system also includes an Apple TV and PlayStation 4, and the display can be used to view the feed from the external camera.

The Business Lounge's integrated LTE connection supplies internet, and the Brabus Cloud helps manage content. A built-in inductive charging slot on the side of each seat allows for seamless phone charging.

The Business Lounge keeps passengers hydrated, sated and caffeinated with an included refrigerator and coffeemaker. Hot/cold cupholders keep those beverages at proper temperature once they're poured. A power-folding table at each seat provides a place for snacks, laptops and paperwork.

Onboard coffeemaker
Onboard coffeemaker

While designed primarily for two passengers, the Business Lounge can accommodate two more on fold-out assistant seats built into the partition wall. Not quite as cozy as the recliners, these seats are designed primarily for shorter trips, but they do include heating for a little sample of the Brabus luxury life.

The Business Lounge secures valuables in a center console safe. Like so much of the other equipment on board, the electronic safe is controlled via the Touch Control Panels, where an electronic code pops the lock.

Brabus finishes off its luxurious interior with a mix of fine leather, Alcantara, wood and carbon fiber, paying close attention to the customer's wishes. The debut model features an eye-catching combination of black and white leather and blue piping – it wouldn't be our first choice, but it does pop very well on a show van.

Brabus also does a bit of work on the exterior, adding 18- or 19-in Monoblock wheels and a subtle body kit. At the front, this kit includes a front spoiler and air intake attachments. The rear bumper gets a three-piece cladding, which hugs the four tailpipes of the new stainless sports exhaust.

The new Brabus Business Lounge costs close to €300K
The new Brabus Business Lounge costs close to €300K

Brabus upgrades the suspension system with sport springs, which in turn lower ride height. The PowerXtra D4 performance kit adds an extra 44 hp of four-cylinder turbodiesel output for a total of 232 hp. A set of high-performance tires provides the proper grip and stability below.

Brabus has launched the new V-Class Business Lounge at the Geneva Motor Show. A complete conversion based on the Mercedes V 250 d van with extra-long wheelbase starts at a cool €298,000 (approx. US$320,000). Brabus will also convert buyer-owned vans. Those in need of a simpler business van can consider the Brabus V-Class Business Light while those that need more seats can have a look at a Sprinter-based Business Lounge.

Brabus' video brings you aboard the new Business Lounge for a closer look.

BRABUS BUSINESS LOUNGE for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Source: Brabus

View gallery - 21 images
2 comments
2 comments
Bob Flint
Guess there is only one bottle of water in that feeble excuse of a fridge to limit the need or should I say the lack of a toilet or even a sink. Is this really what executive types do play video games and watch movies....
Dave Weinstein
Would really want this to be based upon an electric van, rather than gasoline.
I do agree with the comment below, better options for food and drinks are needed. Also high speed internet and power for devices.
Maybe I work for the wrong type of company, but entertainment in the form of an expensive video server is NOT in the budget, but HDMI connections from each of the seats to passenger laptops could be used for the same thing (minus the massive extra profit for Brabus), and also be used for presentations and collaboration while travelling.