Autoblog

Oklahoma-based Newell Coach Corp's latest motorhome, the P2000i, sells for over a million dollars. It's built on a special-made chassis and is powered by a 600-hp turbodiesel. Once parked, four sections expand outwards to maximize interior space. It's said to be one of the most luxurious motorhomes on the market, a favorite of car dealers, businessmen and race car drivers.

So what does this have to do with Porsche, you wonder? Newell contracted Porsche Engineering, the German sportscar maker's consultancy arm, to help modernize the P2000i. With a custom suspension? Nope, that was done by ZF (commonly know for their transmissions). Did Porsche have some hand in the engine, then? Wrong again, that's made by Caterpillar (as far as they get from making sportscars, Porsche hasn't started producing diesels just yet). Maybe a Tiptronic transmission? No, the tranny comes from Allison. Porsche's contribution was the redesigned front end, with Xenon headlamps and "European" styling. (Yeah, that's it.)

Newell has a dealer network to sell its motorhomes, but you can purchase one directly from the factory if you prefer (and have a million bucks to blow on an RV). Newell builds about 40 a year, and each one takes about 10 months to build.

[Source: Automotive News - sub.req.]

Vive la différence! This Euro-style RV is a cool alternative to its (much) larger North American counterparts.

German travel trailer and recreational vehicle builder Knaus is exhibiting their V-Liner compact RV in Paris, and for his first time seeing the V-Liner up close and personal, John was very impressed. (You may recall that we featured its C-Liner sistership in our "Top 10 ways to motor your home" feature.) Despite the rather baroque front-end styling, the V-Liner is packed with cool features.

Most of the Paris Motor Show press material was in French, so details are scarce, but we do have a translation of the Knaus website's V-Liner description after the jump, with more pics!

Have you ever noticed how many Saturns are towed behind motorhomes on our nation's highways? The reason is because most Saturns are part of a small group of vehicles that don't require the installation of a lube pump to circulate the transmission fluid in order to be towed with all four wheels on the ground. The problem is that most people who are wealthy enough to own an upscale RV wouldn't be caught dead in a Saturn under normal circumstances.

German RV manufactuer Volkner Mobile has developed a solution to this problem that's currently being shown off at the International Caravan Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany. The motorcoach on display features a mobile garage situated between the front and rear axles that can stow lower cars like the BMW Z4, MINI Cooper convertible and Mercedes-Benz SLK. The system introduces your vacation cruiser laterally into the RV's belly on a slideout platform and can accomodate vehicles up to five meters in length. No more hauling Saturns or renting Mustang convertibles when you get there.

[Source: Daily Times via Winding Road]

The sweltering heat of summer has descended and in some parts of the country it's knocking out power grids left and right. Before the lights go out in your house, perhaps you should prepare a Plan B that involves taking the homestead on the road. To that end we've assembled a list of our Top 10 ways to motor your home comprised of motorhomes, vans, trailers and even a $4.5 million tour bus from 1940. Enjoy...

2006 Featherlite Luxury Coaches Vantare Platinum Plus


Billed as the most expensive luxury coach ever built, the Vantare boasts a price tag of $2.5 million. Marble floors, Italian leather trim, Swarovski crystal lighting, onyx shower walls... the Vantare's emissions are comprised of pure opulence in a gaseous state.

(Follow the jump to see what else made the list and suggest your own candidates in the comments)