AUTOMOTIVE
720-hp Global XRS 7200 6x6
expedition vehicle thunders into view
By C.C. Weiss
September 12, 2014
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The Action Mobil Global XRS 7200 at Düsseldorf Caravan Salon 2014 (photo: Messe
Düsseldorf)
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If the Earthroamer XV-LTS and Mercedes Zetros don't quite reach the
level of luxury-meets-off-road-fortitude you're looking for, may we
suggest the Action Mobil Global XRS 7200. This large expedition vehicle
combines six driven wheels of off-road fury with a luxuriously appointed
living pod that has the look of a chic city apartment. It brings comfort
and style to the farthest stretches of desert, highest reaches of
mountains and deepest sections of jungle. And it costs several times the
average stationary home.
Action Mobil designs some of the world's most extreme all-terrain
expedition vehicles out of its headquarters in the Austrian Alps. The
company got started more than 35 years ago when founders Stefanie and
Otfried Reitz, then advertising executives, were looking for a vehicle to
travel in through Africa for a fashion photo shoot. They needed
something rugged enough to navigate to photogenic backdrops of the
veld but comfortable enough to keep fashion models prettied, smiling
and camera-ready. Finding nothing suitable on the market, they
developed their own, realizing along the way that there was a real market
for such a design.
Fast forward to 2014 and the Global XRS 7200, a highlight of the recent
Düsseldorf Caravan Salon. The large expedition vehicle has a grumbling
720-hp engine cranking its six wheels – that's more than double the
horsepower of the aforementioned XV-LTS or Zetros. A central tire
in ation system ensures that the tires are at the right pressure to
effectively put all that power to use over the variable terrain below.
Action Mobil's "Arctic Kit" keeps the truck running smoothly in cold
weather.
The 18-ton 7200 is built atop a MAN chassis and measures 31.8 x 8.1 x 12.4
ft (L x W x H, 9.7 x 2.47 x 3.79 m), with its camper body occupying 23.6
feet (7.2 m) of that overall length. The all-terrain rover has dual 400-L
(105.7-gal) diesel tanks toward the center of its wheelbase and 140-L (37-
gal) black water and 250-L (66-gal) gray water tanks just forward of the
fuel supply. Fresh water comes from the onboard 720-liter (190-gal)
supply.
A rear lift makes it easy to carry and access a bike
Since an 18-ton truck-camper really limits one's maneuvering
capabilities, Action Mobil offers a rear motorcycle lift. The hydraulically
controlled rack lowers down to drop a much more nimble, two-wheeled
form of transportation into the driver's hands.
As impressive as the ultra-rugged exterior is, the spacious, climate-
controlled interior is arguably even more impressive due to a cozy,
elegant look with rich, grained paneling; stone ooring, counters and
tabletops; LED lighting and metal trim. The central kitchen area cooks up
meals on its Gaggenau induction cooktop and steam oven. Food can be
found in the single or dual 175-L (46.2-gal) refrigerators and single 150-L
(39.6.-gal) freezer, all custom-insulated by Action Mobil. A Miele washer-
dryer unit keeps the family's clothes fresh on extended journeys.
Inside the Global XRS 7200
Like virtually every other camper and RV out there, the Global XRS 7200
has a convertible dinette set that doubles as a bed. The design includes
expanded sitting, eating and sleeping space via a second, smaller
convertible dinette just forward of the rear, two-berth master suite.
Just behind the Alcantara-trimmed driver's cab, which accesses the
camper by way of pass-through door, the bathroom houses a soft-
closing bidet toilet, sink and shower. The remainder of the interior lls
out with a generous amount of closet, cabinet and drawer space.
When you're spending days, weeks or months traveling on and off the
grid, keeping entertained can be a real concern. The Global XRS 7200
covers its occupants with a 40-in HD TV, Apple TV media streamer, Bose
audio system and multi-TB hard drive for storing multimedia content. It
is also equipped with a satellite internet connection and wireless local
area network.
The Global XRS 7200 features an entertainment package with 40-in HD TV
A 720Ah lithium-ion battery bank with 5,000-watt inverter keeps all
electrical equipment up and running. The batteries are charged off the
engine during driving, and a 1,440-watt roof-mounted solar array takes
over when the 7200 is camped out.
Action Mobil does not list pricing information for its custom made
expedition vehicles on its website, nor on the XRS 7200 information
packet it sent us. The price was quoted at €850,000 (US$1.1 million) on a
Caravan Salon video presentation, and we're sure it could quickly rise up
over €1 million depending upon the equipment and options selected by
the particular buyer.
The 7200 may look like an absolute monster to those not used to seeing
expedition vehicles, but at Action Mobil it's just another model in a deep
line of big, burly all-terrain motor homes – and not the largest model,
either. The company describes its eight-wheeled Desert Challenger as
the largest motor home in the world. In addition to around a dozen two-,
three- and four-axle expedition models, it offers custom designs for
specialized applications.
The Desert Challenger
If viewing our Global XRS 7200 photo gallery makes you wonder what
Action Mobil vehicles look like in the wild, be sure to visit the "world
gallery" on its website. It has some great shots of expeditions around the
globe, all neatly organized on a world map.
Source: Action Mobil
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TAGS AUTOMOTIVE LUXURY RV EXPEDITION
CAMPERVAN DUSSELDORF CARAVAN SALON
ACTION MOBIL
C.C. Weiss
Chris joined the New Atlas team in 2011 and now serves as the automotive and
campers editor, traveling extensively to gather the latest news on cars, outdoor
sports gear and other innovations designed to help people experience and enjoy
the greater world around them.
