Because the world of customized Sprinter-based vans continues to crowd with dozens of builders embracing the platform in strikingly related methods, the RC-1 asks: “What if?” Constructed by Rogue Van Firm, positioned in San Diego, CA, the RC-1 rejects the acquainted and embraces the conceptual. It’s the brainchild of RVC founder and CEO Santiago Fileta, and it was designed to showcase the corporate’s customization prowess on show at SEMA. It’s a van that pushes what this well-known chassis is able to. From its off-roading capabilities to its expansive facilities and e-bike crane, the RC-1 pushes the concept of a rugged van to its limits.
What began as a 170-inch high-roof chassis van has morphed into a real off-roader with a two-inch carry, adjustable shocks, digital lockers, upgraded axles, and beefy Toyo 37-inch tires on all 4 corners. Nonetheless, regardless of these large modifications beneath the pores and skin, RVC has retained all of its manufacturing unit tech suite, starting from cruise management to security techniques like lane-keep help. Its adjustable shocks can soften significantly whereas off-roading and firming up on the street to maintain physique motions in verify. Relying on the scenario, an added central touchscreen provides a handful of throttle maps to easy its energy supply.
On the skin, it sports activities a minimum of three ladders, which lead as much as a roof geared up with Starlink for off-the-grid connectivity and an area the place an extra roof tent could be added. Alongside its sides, you’ll discover a full Snap-On device set, completed in an identical shade of yellow, whereas the rear homes a spare wheel and tire, an exterior storage space, and an e-bike by Onyx on prime.
The latter weighs round 150 kilos, requiring a customized crane system for simple storage. Inside, its customization touches are equally intensive. The RC-1 depends closely on wooden for its inside paneling, parallel to configurable strips of LEDs on the roof. Its desk tops mix Walnut with epoxy to create a flowing river impact. Its kitchenette incorporates a fridge, wine cooler, freezer, and an expresso machine that stows beneath its sink. Open its drawers, and also you’ll discover bespoke kitchenware, together with a variety of knives explicitly constructed for the RC-1.
Past the standard bathe and bathroom setup, the RC-1 incorporates a steam aspect, which, coupled with doorways that create an ideal seal, provides sauna capabilities. A customized premium audio system introduces quite a lot of hidden audio system all through the cabin, which pair with a TV positioned above the mattress or a show hidden behind a mirror within the kitchenette.
A large 28-kilowatt-hour battery pack powers the RC-1’s facilities, whereas a 900-watt walkable panel system on the roof recharges it alongside the Spriner’s engine. The RC-1 is the last word Sprinter-based off-roading van, and it’s at the moment provided on the market. Like all of RVC’s builds, it comes with a 3-year / 36,000-mile conversion guarantee alongside the 5-year / 100,000-mile protection from Mercedes-Benz. Nonetheless, not like the builder’s different initiatives, there’ll solely ever be one RC-1.
