The rise of the supervan

There was a time when a limousine was the vehicle of choice for CEOs and celebrities. A time when saloon cars breezed down city streets, scuttled between airports and made shiny statements at red carpet events. But there’s a new challenger emerging in the world of VIP transportation – the van.

Gaining favour for their interior space, seating capacity and unremarkable exterior looks (that enable their occupants to move around under the radar), the van is the ideal platform on which to create a mobile home from home. “We’ve noticed a significant trend towards travellers opting for luxury vans over traditional sedan cars,” says Tom Ripert, CEO of Rolzo, a private chauffeur and premium car-rental service. “More people are travelling in groups, seeking convenience, comfort and spaciousness.” Observing the development of the trend since the company’s foundation in 2017, Ripert has adapted his fleet to meet demand. “We have expanded our selection of luxury vans, including the popular Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, to accommodate our clients’ preferences and requirements. Currently, our investment ratio is two to one in favour of luxury vans over sedans.”

Since its introduction in 1996, Mercedes-Benz has dominated the luxury mover market with the much-loved and versatile V-class. Now available with up to eight seats in its most practical configuration, the V-class has become a popular platform for customisers to build on, often stripping out seats in favour of more tech, equipment and amenities. German tuning company Klassen has been modifying both the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Sprinter vans for more than two decades. Boasting a fleet of bespoke models, Klassen’s converted Sprinter vans can cost upwards of £400,000, complete with armour plating (should you require it) and a choice of games consoles, coffee machines, airline-style seats that convert into lie-flat beds and even en-suite bathrooms. Similarly, UK-based specialist Clive Sutton customises V-Class and Sprinter vans to a similar spec, with prices starting from £180,000.

From Japan, car giant Lexus entered the minivan market in 2019 with the Luxury Mover or LM. Now in its second iteration, which is available in 60 markets, including Europe for the first time, the LM is the marque’s flagship car, available as a seven- or four-seat option, with the latter a £112,995 limousine disguised as a minivan. Powered by a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid that produces 247 horsepower, the main feature of the top-tier LM is its rear compartment that boasts two heated and cooled massage seats that recline flat like a business-class airline seat. In front of them is a carpeted space for stretching out, while a 48in widescreen monitor sits in the partition between the rear and driver’s cabin up front.  

It’s not just the German and Japanese manufacturers getting in on the supervan action. Chinese-owned Volvo revealed a luxury all-electric van in 2023 with a 458-mile range that aims to provide a “comfortable living-room experience”. Equipped with six seats, including two vented and heated reclining armchairs in the middle row, the EM90 also features a 15.6in screen that folds down from the ceiling for entertainment or video meetings. Despite having the Lexus LM and Mercedes-Benz V-Class in its sights, the EM90 is only available to order in China for now, although Volvo is exploring the possibility of bringing it to other markets in the future.

With more manufacturers keeping a close eye on the niche but growing sector as sales of saloon cars dwindle, the trend for boxy, VIP vehicles looks set to continue. Even automotive style icons Alfa Romeo confessed to considering the idea for a luxury van, while Volkswagen upped the ante in 2022 with its well-appointed ID Buzz, as did Korean carmaker Hyundai with its sleek Staria the year before. In China, manufacturing giants BYD, Geely’s Zeekr and SAIC’s Maxus all offer high-spec vans, which are largely sold domestically – for now. While SUVs remain a popular middle ground for many, few come close to rivalling the versatility of a van. In the world of VIP transportation, it seems size really does matter.