Mercedes-Benz Previews Luxury Electric V-Class with Vision V Concept
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Vision V show car, giving a sneak peek into the top-end variant of its planned Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) ahead of the Shanghai motor show. The upcoming V-Class for private customers will be available in two variants: a premium van and a luxury space traveler.
The Vision V represents the luxury version, which will be marketed as VLS, referencing the Mercedes S-Class. The VLS is positioned as a luxury van with ample space, featuring a wood and leather interior that resembles a VIP shuttle or luxury office on wheels. In contrast, the VLE variant will be more flexible, catering to family needs with premium aspirations.
Luxury Features of the Vision V
The Vision V boasts an automatically opening ‘portal’ door and a retractable, illuminated step for easy entry. The interior is designed like a ‘private lounge,’ with a switchable glass wall that can partition off the driver’s area. The glass can change from transparent to opaque as needed.
The ‘Private Lounge’ area features white nappa leather, silk, and open-pore burl wood. The seats are designed for optimal ergonomics and comfort, capable of reclining into a lying position. A 65-inch 4K cinema screen and 42 loudspeakers provide a premium digital experience.
Technical Details and Future Plans
While Mercedes hasn’t disclosed the drive technology, insights from a prototype ride last year suggest the upcoming electric vans will utilize 800-volt technology, feature a 22 kW AC charger, and have a range exceeding 500 kilometers with batteries over 100 kWh. The VAN.EA architecture is based on three modules per vehicle, allowing for flexibility in design and battery size.
The company aims to differentiate between private customer vans and commercial vans while increasing the number of identical parts. However, this modular approach is exclusive to electric models, as Mercedes plans to develop a separate Van Combustion Architecture (VAN.CA) for combustion engine models.
