Succeeding the V-Class, the latest generation of the large Stuttgart firm’s minivan can accommodate a giant screen in the rear seats.
With its large octagonal grille cutting across the face and the shape of its headlights, Mercedes’ latest van really looks like the electric GLC already on our roads. This is not the only similarity between the new 5.30 meter long van and the world of passenger cars. Both in terms of technologies and performance, the boundaries between these two worlds are starting to blur. It is a design feat thanks to significant wind tunnel work, the aerodynamic coefficient competes with the best cars on the market. The clean lines manage to display a Cd of 0.25. This result serves efficiency, essential for a vehicle powered by an electric motor.
The VLE rests on a new Van Architecture platform operating on 800 volts. A guarantee of comfort and performance for professionals, it reduces recharge times. It would thus be possible to recover up to 355 kilometers of autonomy in 15 minutes on the 115 kWh NMC (nickel, manganese, and cobalt) battery. The system allows a power peak of 300 kW, ensuring a range from 10 to 80% in 25 minutes. In the base VLE 300 version, the battery powers a 203 kW (276 hp) engine placed at the front. With a consumption of around 18.6 kWh per 100 km according to the official WLTP standard, the manufacturer claims a range of 700 km. A VLE 400 4Matic all-wheel drive version is also part of the program. Its power of 305 kW (415 hp) allows for performance typically reserved for grand touring sports cars: just 6.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h. In the course of 2027, two other versions with an 80 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery will follow.
The proximity to the brand’s sedans and SUVs continues in the interior. The ambiance brings us closer to a particular model in terms of technologies, materials, and perceived quality. The dashboard accommodates a panoramic digital display covering the width of the car. It consists of three screens: the driver’s 10.25-inch screen, the one housing the multimedia system, and the passenger’s (14 inches for both). Access to functions follows the same logical form as in sedans.
Like the previous generations, the VLE offers many rear space configuration possibilities. The shuttle version accommodates up to eight seats. The standard configuration follows the 2+2+3 architecture. In this case, the standard electric sliding rear doors open to two individual seats. Engineers have provided numerous configurations, from five to eight seats arranged in multiple ways. This space can accommodate three types of individual seats: Comfort with manual adjustment, Premium Comfort, or Grand Comfort with electric adjustment. The latter lives up to its name, combined with additional equipment: a cushion, a wireless charger, lumbar support with massage function, and calf support. A champion of versatility, the VLE also has modifiable seats that, once removed, can be easily stored in the garage thanks to their integrated wheels. To maintain high functionality in tight environments, the rear window now opens independently of the tailgate. Eager to offer a driving comfort similar to a Class S, the VLE can also benefit from pneumatic suspension with a 40 mm level control and rear-wheel steering to improve maneuverability in the city. Mercedes announces a price around 79,000 euros for its new electric van.
