A European RV maker will outfit its luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper vans with SpaceX's Starlink — see inside its new $185,800 model

Brittany ChangJun 17, 2022, 02:38 IST

Alphavan

In late May, SpaceX announced a Starlink service designed for RVs.
Shortly after, European luxury camper van maker Alphavan unveiled a Starlink package for its RVs.

If lackluster internet has stopped you from pursuing life on the road, a RV maker in Europe may have just announced a Starlink-based solution for your problems.

Alphavan

In late May, SpaceX announced a Starlink service designed for RVers, bringing stable coverage to even the most off-grid and off-road destinations.

Elon Musk's (pictured right) SpaceX is increasing Starlink internet prices for all customers.Getty Images

And it was only a matter of time before RV makers jumped at the opportunity to integrate this connectivity solution into their builds.

Alphavan

On the heels of this announcement, German luxury camper van maker Alphavan announced its plan to offer a Starlink adapter package with its luxurious Mercedes-Benz camper vans.

Alphavan

On the heels of this announcement, German luxury camper van maker Alphavan announced its plan to offer a Starlink adapter package with its luxurious Mercedes-Benz camper vans.

In the US, Starlink sets are $600 for the hardware plus an additional $135 a month for the service.

SpaceX

For an additional roughly $480, Alphavan customers who have the Starlink set can purchase the add-on, which includes an adapter with "theft protection" and cabling, according to a press release.

Alphavan

For an additional roughly $480, Alphavan customers who have the Starlink set can purchase the add-on, which includes an adapter with "theft protection" and cabling, according to a press release.

This system can then be used to mount the Starlink dish to the roof of the tiny home on wheels ...

Alphavan

... integrating its connectivity to the camper van's amenities like its smart TV and smart home system.

Alphavan

However, it should be noted that Starlink can't be used while the RV is moving.

Alphavan

SpaceX's "Starlink for RVs" announcement came only two weeks ago …

Alphavan

… and fans are already eager to outfit their RVs with the service: Alphavan is already seeing orders for its adapter package, Philipp Wex, the cofounder and CEO of Alphavan, told Insider in an email.

Alphavan

… and fans are already eager to outfit their RVs with the service: Alphavan is already seeing orders for its adapter package, Philipp Wex, the cofounder and CEO of Alphavan, told Insider in an email.

The German camper van maker is no stranger to integrating tech into its 170-inch Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based tiny homes on wheels.

Alphavan

Alphavan's latest 2022 camper van model, the roughly $185,800 "Edition 4x4 – offroad – online – efficient," is already equipped with a smart home system and roof antenna that can power the van's LTE and WiFi router ...

Alphavan

Alphavan's latest 2022 camper van model, the roughly $185,800 "Edition 4x4 – offroad – online – efficient," is already equipped with a smart home system and roof antenna that can power the van's LTE and WiFi router ...

… making the camper van feel like a true house on wheels.

Alphavan

But it takes more than just stable WiFi to make a RV feel like home, which is why Alphavan designed its camper van to include a living room, kitchen …

Alphavan

… bedroom, and garage that can turn into a separate children's bedroom.

Alphavan

Let's take a quick tour around the build.

Alphavan

No need to fear cramped spaces: The interior is almost 6.9 feet tall, giving all but the tallest travelers some standing room.

Alphavan

Let's start at the front of the van in the living and dining "room."

Alphavan

Here, there's a table and seating bench. When the driver and passenger seats swivel to face the interior, this dining table can accommodate a family of four.

Alphavan

Remote workers can also use this space as a mobile office with support from the Starlink package.

Alphavan

The dining-living space is located right next to the kitchen, which could rival many small studio apartment kitchens.

Alphavan

Like many fully equipped luxury camper vans, this kitchen space has several storage compartments, a dual-burner induction cooktop, a sink, and a refrigerator.

Alphavan

But if these kitchen cabinets aren't enough, there's also overhead storage in the living room, including cupboards above the cockpit and compartments with LED lights, outlets, and USB ports.

Alphavan

But if these kitchen cabinets aren't enough, there's also overhead storage in the living room, including cupboards above the cockpit and compartments with LED lights, outlets, and USB ports.

Now let's head across the kitchen and into the bathroom, which is just as equipped as the cooking space.

Alphavan

This room has all the typical bathroom amenities like a toilet, sink, shower head, and vent system all condensed into a small space.

Alphavan

Heading out, the bedroom is just behind the bathroom and kitchen and up a ladder.

Alphavan

The luxurious (as far as camper vans go) bedroom has a plush mattress, charging stations …

Alphavan

… reading lights, and plenty of windows, including a skylight, making the camper van feel like a hotel on wheels.

Alphavan

The smart TV can also swivel to face the bedroom, turning the space into a personal movie theater.

Alphavan

The bedroom also comes with a mosquito net for travelers who like sleeping with the rear doors open for a tent-like camping experience.

Alphavan

Climbing up a ladder to reach the bed may seem fussy, but the sleeping space has to be elevated to accommodate the under-bed "Flexport," which can be accessed through a small door or through the rear of the van.

Alphavan

Climbing up a ladder to reach the bed may seem fussy, but the sleeping space has to be elevated to accommodate the under-bed "Flexport," which can be accessed through a small door or through the rear of the van.

This space can either be used as a garage or a children's bedroom for RVing families.

Alphavan

The new model also has two solar panels and a larger battery (compared to previous models) to support off-grid travel.

Alphavan

But if you're in the US, you probably won't be getting your hands on a Starlink-equipped Alphavan anytime soon.

Alphavan

For now, Alphavan only sells its vans in Germany.

Alphavan

But in the future, this could change. In 2020, Wex told Insider that the company is "investing in what would be necessary" to sell its vans in the US and Canada following a spike in inquiries from the two countries.

Alphavan

But in the future, this could change. In 2020, Wex told Insider that the company is "investing in what would be necessary" to sell its vans in the US and Canada following a spike in inquiries from the two countries.

A retired Boeing 747 that was once a Burning Man art display will be converted into a tourist attraction in Las Vegas — take a look

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

A European RV maker will outfit its luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper vans with SpaceX's Starlink &mdash; see inside its new $185,800 model

If lackluster internet has stopped you from pursuing life on the road, a RV maker in Europe may have just announced a Starlink-based solution for your problems.

In late May, SpaceX announced a Starlink service designed for RVers, bringing stable coverage to even the most off-grid and off-road destinations.

And it was only a matter of time before RV makers jumped at the opportunity to integrate this connectivity solution into their builds.

On the heels of this announcement, German luxury camper van maker Alphavan announced its plan to offer a Starlink adapter package with its luxurious Mercedes-Benz camper vans.

In the US, Starlink sets are $600 for the hardware plus an additional $135 a month for the service.

For an additional roughly $480, Alphavan customers who have the Starlink set can purchase the add-on, which includes an adapter with "theft protection" and cabling, according to a press release.

This system can then be used to mount the Starlink dish to the roof of the tiny home on wheels ...

... integrating its connectivity to the camper van's amenities like its smart TV and smart home system.

However, it should be noted that Starlink can't be used while the RV is moving.

SpaceX's "Starlink for RVs" announcement came only two weeks ago …

… and fans are already eager to outfit their RVs with the service: Alphavan is already seeing orders for its adapter package, Philipp Wex, the cofounder and CEO of Alphavan, told Insider in an email.

The German camper van maker is no stranger to integrating tech into its 170-inch Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based tiny homes on wheels.

Alphavan's latest 2022 camper van model, the roughly $185,800 "Edition 4x4 – offroad – online – efficient," is already equipped with a smart home system and roof antenna that can power the van's LTE and WiFi router ...

… making the camper van feel like a true house on wheels.

But it takes more than just stable WiFi to make a RV feel like home, which is why Alphavan designed its camper van to include a living room, kitchen …

… bedroom, and garage that can turn into a separate children's bedroom.

Let's take a quick tour around the build.

No need to fear cramped spaces: The interior is almost 6.9 feet tall, giving all but the tallest travelers some standing room.

Let's start at the front of the van in the living and dining "room."

Here, there's a table and seating bench. When the driver and passenger seats swivel to face the interior, this dining table can accommodate a family of four.

Remote workers can also use this space as a mobile office with support from the Starlink package.

The dining-living space is located right next to the kitchen, which could rival many small studio apartment kitchens.

Like many fully equipped luxury camper vans, this kitchen space has several storage compartments, a dual-burner induction cooktop, a sink, and a refrigerator.

But if these kitchen cabinets aren't enough, there's also overhead storage in the living room, including cupboards above the cockpit and compartments with LED lights, outlets, and USB ports.

Now let's head across the kitchen and into the bathroom, which is just as equipped as the cooking space.

This room has all the typical bathroom amenities like a toilet, sink, shower head, and vent system all condensed into a small space.

Heading out, the bedroom is just behind the bathroom and kitchen and up a ladder.

The luxurious (as far as camper vans go) bedroom has a plush mattress, charging stations …

… reading lights, and plenty of windows, including a skylight, making the camper van feel like a hotel on wheels.

The smart TV can also swivel to face the bedroom, turning the space into a personal movie theater.

The bedroom also comes with a mosquito net for travelers who like sleeping with the rear doors open for a tent-like camping experience.

Climbing up a ladder to reach the bed may seem fussy, but the sleeping space has to be elevated to accommodate the under-bed "Flexport," which can be accessed through a small door or through the rear of the van.

This space can either be used as a garage or a children's bedroom for RVing families.

The new model also has two solar panels and a larger battery (compared to previous models) to support off-grid travel.

But if you're in the US, you probably won't be getting your hands on a Starlink-equipped Alphavan anytime soon.

For now, Alphavan only sells its vans in Germany.

But in the future, this could change. In 2020, Wex told Insider that the company is "investing in what would be necessary" to sell its vans in the US and Canada following a spike in inquiries from the two countries.

A European RV maker will outfit its luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper vans with SpaceX's Starlink — see inside its new $185,800 model