What does a motorhome worth over £500,000 look like? We found out
And yes, you can store a car in the motorhome’s garage, incase you were wondering.
And yes, you can store a car in the motorhome's garage, incase you were wondering.
A walk around the Motorhome and Caravan Show gives you the chance to see a wide range of high-end vehicles
Whether you’re interested in browsing the best luxury motorhomes or the best luxury campervans, there will be plenty of stands to visit, with the likes of Carthago, Hymer and Laika just a few of the names that were showcasing elegant vehicles that could leave you thinking you’re staying in a luxury hotel.
But what about a motorhome that retails for three to four times the price of these already high-end leisure vehicles? What would it come with?
We took the chance to find out, as we stepped inside the Morelo Iveco S-Way Palace Liner 103 GSB that was on display at the NEC last week. While the vehicle has a starting price of £470,683, the model on display at the show had a whopping price tag of £564,820 due to an array of optional extras that have been added (more on those later).
Two things immediately jumped out as we approached. Firstly, the sheer size of it (yes, parking will probably be a little tricky), and secondly, the fact that a car could be stored in the garage.
It comes on the powerful Iveco S-Way, which has an 8.7 litre turbo diesel engine, an automated 12-speed manual gearbox, an 18,000kg gross vehicle weight rating, and a length that can vary from 9.59-11.28m long.
That’s not all, with a fresh water tank of around 360 litres and a waste water tank of around 250 litres. There’s no getting away from the stylish exterior of a motorhome that oozes class throughout, either.
In the cockpit, the narrow A-pillars ensure you get an excellent view through the panoramic windscreen, with the side windows further enhancing your view, which will come in handy when driving the motorhome. It feels like everything has been thought of, as there’s even a cooling compartment, where a couple of drinks can be stored for refreshment.
Storage is not going to be an issue anywhere in the motorhome either, with a transversal storage compartment that can be accessed externally from both the near- and offside of the ‘van, while inside, stylish handleless wall units are dotted throughout.
You may not have to worry about buying one of the best motorhome vacuum cleaners either, thanks to the optional Dyson V8 Absolute. Touring all year will be a pleasure, with hot water underfloor heating keeping things toasty.
For some, a holiday is all about having a break from cooking, and using a motorhome cooker can be the last thing on your mind. However, when you see what the Palace offers, you may change your mind.
Features include a Bosch 172-litre fridge, complete with a 15-litre freezer, a Bosch domestic oven, a pull-out cabinet for storing everything, and a double sink.
The washroom offers home-level comforts, including a ceramic toilet, complete with a flush button and a spacious shower cubicle made with real glass.
At the rear of the Morelo Iveco S-Way Palace Liner 103 GSB, a comfortable bed with an EvoPore mattress can be found, complete with a water gel topper. Thoughtful touches here include gooseneck lamps, which provide USB ports.
So what about those optional extras that raised the price by nearly £100,000? These were dotted throughout the model on display at the NEC, with extras including hydraulic leveling jacks (£8,760), luxury heated driver’s cab seats (£4,605, including lumber support, armrests), an electronic 6m roof awning with LED lights (£2,875), a slide-out kitchen and living area on the driver’s side (£34,200), and the EMPIRE Style exterior package (£13,145), which includes double-glazed projecting windows, among other features.
That’s not all; also included was a dishwasher (£2,445), an induction hob (£1,570), roof air conditioning for the living area (£3,465) and the bedroom (£3,115), four 150w solar panels (£3,415) and a 24V 200Ah lithium battery (£5,690).
Watching TV on tour will be a pleasurable experience too, thanks to the package (£6,395) which includes a satellite TV system, 39″ TV which can be lowered out of an overhead locker, and a 27″ TV in the bedroom.
Ok, we may not be buying one anytime soon, but there’s no harm in dreaming…
If you didn’t get to go to the NEC this year and are wondering what else you may have missed out on seeing, take a look at Content editor Peter Byrne’s main takeaways from this year’s show.
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