Unimog EarthCruiser tops $700,000
is there a tougher, more capable motorhome on the market than this Mercedes-Benz Unimog motorhome from EarthCruiser?The Kimberlley/Unidan Unimog-based motorhome might be on hold, but cashed-up explorers wanting one of the most capable off-road truck bases for their next overland adventure have other options on the Australian market.
Along with SLRV, Earthcruiser is spruiking its credentials as a builder of top-notch expedition vehicles, and recently revealed details of its latest $720,000 creation, based on the military-spec Mercedes-Benz Unimog U430
Promoted as its “most advanced expedition model” to date, the Unimog-based EarthCruiser Explorer XPR440 is jam-packed with extreme off-road features such as Variopilot, that permits a 30 second swap-over of steering wheel and pedals, from left to right hand drive or vice versa, as required on inter-continental journeys.
Powered by a 220kW/1200Nm 7.7-litre turbo-diesel engine with either manual or automated transmission, the Unimog EarthCruiser has a fuel range of up to 3500km to provide “a level of exploration superiority that can literally take a family to experience the tour of a lifetime, and bring them back safely to civilization”.
Two version of the EarthCruiser Explorer are available: a 4.4m long XPR440 and 3.8m long XPR380, which has the option of rear mounted motor cycle.
Boasting a 12 tonne GVM, the 4x4 Explorer can carry up to 860 litres of water and 800 litres fuel, with a number of “weatherproof options” available to cater for extreme cold or heat.
An iPad touchscreen allows monitoring of around 140 functions including inflation and deflation systems for the run-flat tyres and the four point hydraulic jacking system.
Other standard features include four wheel coil spring suspension with disc brakes, ultra-low off-road gear ratio selection, heated tanks, batteries, pumps and water supply, two fridge/freezers (68 and 212 litre), front and rear mounted electric winches, seating for five, a queen-sized bed or twin beds, two sky-beds, 240V exterior mounted BBQ, and a chain saw and axe.
In addition to the standard inclusion of telematics with satellite tracking and monitoring, vision from five externally mounted cameras provide 45 days recording in real time, which may be viewed globally.
“When negotiating severe off road tracks the approach, departure and ramp over angles give the Explorer XPR400 amazing access, which can be improved yet further at the request of the buyer,” the company said.
Just as importantly, shipping the Unimog EarthCruiser between countries is easy with the use of container rims.
EarthCruiser Australia’s Mark Fawcett said the Unimog Explorer was three years in development and the Wollongong, NSW-based company hopes to sell up to five a year once the word gets out.
Pricing starts around $580,000, with the optioned-up display model priced at $720,000, although that could go even higher with other accessories available such as satellite TV.
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