Here’s everything you need to know about the new Brabus Big Boy 1200 motorhome Two weeks ago, Brabus announced at their Signature Night 2024 event that they are now accepting orders to make a motorhome. Now, this thing is a very modified version of a Mercedes Actross platform — but how modified is the thing? Well, see for yourself. Here’s a “regular” 2024 Mercedes-Benz Actross: And Here’s the Big Boy 1200: You can barely recognize the beastly thing anymore! The perfect matte black exterior is broken only by indicators, LED headlamps, and the all-carbon radiator grille. And the size feels even bigger from the inside, with about 330 square feet of floor space (30 square metres). It has a host of amenities to keep you comfortable, whether trundling through city streets, blasting down coastal freeways, or when pushing through the snow. And we’re going to walk you through all aforementioned amenities. In Brabus’ own words, the Big Boy 1200 is built to “transform any destination into a 5-star experience,”. Big Boy 1200 Exterior WalkaroundRight-o then, let’s take a 360 view of the Big Boy 1200, starting at the front. You’re faced with the imposing single-cab silhouette of the latest Mercedes-Benz Actross Rig. It has photodigital side-view mirrors, two external horns, and a host of sensors at the top. It also has (very) powerful externally mounted LED light bars, each with eight bulbs. As you move down, you see two sleek windshield wipers, and carbon catchments below them. Then, attention is grabbed by the full-carbon radiator mesh, complete with full-carbon Brabus logo having replaced the Mercedes star. Then you see the LED, (possibly halogen) headlamps that output more than 60W when on high mode. The mirrors and lights are part of the “Visibility package with LED headlights”, as Brabus likes to call it. At the bottom we have the fog lamps for cutting through cloudy or dusty situations, and finally, the word “BRABUS” in silver on the front lip. Then, we move around to the right of the Big Boy 1200. Here, you can truly see the 12 metre (39.4 ft) length of the motorhome in full. Pictured here is one of the two extendable slide-out pods that can increase the width of the bedroom to 4 and a half metres. There’s two of these. To conclude the exterior walkaround, we move to the left side of the Big Boy 1200. A few more details about the exterior: the frame is made of galvanized steel profiles, and comes with four hydraulic supports to automatically level the vehicle. The wheels are 22.5 inch, aluminium, and only come in black. The trailing axle is steered, and the Big Boy 1200 comes with a triple-axle running gear. You also get a 3.5 ton trailer coupling and double-glazed windows with electronic sun shades built-in. All stairs are electronically operated and tiltable, and there’s even a mosquito net at the door. In total, there are 4 electrically operable slide-outs that you can deploy when parked to increase the floor space inside. The exterior carbon package comes with carbon cab handles, carbon fog lamp holders, carbon wind deflectors in the cab (top and bottom), as well as the carbon grille for the radiator. In terms of equipment, the Brabus Big Boy 1200 has enough tech to make NASA’s control room look like a kindergarten science fair. There’s a Brigade camera surveillance system with 360° cameras, so you’ll see everything, including the squirrel you just flattened. Entry? Not with a humble key, but with a digital entry code that makes you feel like James Bond. It’s heated by a Kabola KB40 hybrid diesel system with underfloor heating, so even on the coldest nights, your toes will think they’re on a tropical beach. This system is usually used on boats and yachts, and here's what it looks like: And if that’s not enough, it boasts a generator powerful enough to light up a small village and lithium batteries that could probably jump-start the moon. It’s got solar panels, 4G, 5G, a WLAN router, and a Starlink satellite because apparently, you might need to watch cat videos from the middle of nowhere. Oh, and let’s not forget the central vacuum cleaner so you can hoover up your ego after showing off this mechanical colossus. And the twin-43-inch TVs inside come with a built-in playstation, because why not. Now, let’s move to the interior. The Brabus 1200 Big Boy Interior Tour Right then, step inside the Brabus Big Boy 1200, and you’re not just entering a motorhome; you’re stepping into a Bond villain’s lair on wheels. The cockpit greets you with the kind of ostentatious luxury only Brabus can pull off. The driver’s cab features BRABUS Masterpiece leather seats, quilted with the brand’s “Triangle” design, precise down to the millimeter. Above, an electrically lowering 160 cm wide bed perches over the cockpit—for when you need to nap before world domination. Push past the cab into the living room, and things get properly decadent. We’re talking BRABUS leather sofas with matching cushions that practically beg you to sprawl out after a day of trampling lesser motorhomes. The carbon trim strips shout sporty opulence, as do the two 43-inch Smart TVs and the built-in PlayStation 5—because what’s a luxury motorhome without gaming marathons on a 14-hour drive? The table in the center is movable and foldable, allowing you to reconfigure the space for a business meeting or a dinner that reeks of power and wealth. Paola Lenti chairs add a designer touch, and the carpet? A Sahrai masterpiece that tells your feet, “Yes, you’ve made it.” Above, two electrically opening skylights provide natural light or starlit views as you ponder your next audacious plan. Of course, there’s an inductive charger to keep your gadgets juiced and ready. The kitchen? A BRABUS-engineered marvel that could put some high-end home kitchens to shame. Carbon trim strips wrap around the induction hobs by Gaggenau, complete with an integrated extractor hood. There’s an oven by the same brand, because reheating last night’s Michelin-star meal deserves the best. A Quooker COMBI & CUBE means instant boiling and sparkling water on tap. The fridge with freezer compartment, dishwasher, and wine cooler round out an arsenal of appliances that make roughing it look laughable. And then we have the bathroom, a space clad in carbon trim with all the elegance of a five-star spa. A rain shower and hand shower offer options, while an electrically opening roof window adds a touch of dramatic flair. The washbasin and toilet are sleekly integrated, with a towel dryer and underfloor heating ensuring even your bath towels live in luxury. In the bedroom, you’ll find a double bed measuring 160 x 200 cm with an electric slatted frame for those perfect lounging angles. More carbon trim, a 43-inch Smart TV, and a soundbar create an entertainment haven, while the air conditioning and inductive charger let you rest easy—literally and metaphorically. A Paola Lenti chair and a writing desk are poised for plotting your next move or penning memoirs about the time you conquered Patagonia in the Big Boy. Storage? Everywhere. Heated and insulated tanks? You bet. A combination washer/dryer? Of course. And don’t forget the central vacuum cleaner, because even your crumbs deserve to be swept away by something posh. The Brabus Big Boy 1200 Engine Underneath the polished exterior lies the heart of a titan: a 12.8-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel engine that churns out 530 horsepower and a jaw-dropping 2,600 Nm (1,918 lb-ft) of torque. This behemoth power ensures the Big Boy 1200 glides along highways with the confidence of a juggernaut, even when towing a small village’s worth of luxury. The electronically capped top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) ensures that while you won’t be winning any drag races, you’ll get there in grand, unhurried style—which, let’s be honest, is exactly how the emperor of the road should travel. So, why settle for ordinary when you can take the road less travelled and do it in a rolling palace that leaves the world trailing in your wake?
