by Mercedes Announces Premiere Date for New VLE Electric Minivan
Mercedes-Benz has officially announced the world premiere date for its new fully electric VLE minivan. The model will be unveiled on March 10 in Stuttgart. Along with the announcement, the brand published a teaser image that shows the front of the car in detail. The bright daytime running lights in the shape of stars immediately link the production VLE to the previously presented Vision V concept.
While the concept impressed with bold proportions and futuristic shapes, the production VLE looks a bit more down-to-earth. Despite this, the family resemblance is obvious, and Mercedes is not shy to claim that this is the beginning of a new era. This model will be the first built on the new modular electric VAN.EA platform, which is scalable and covers needs from basic minivans to luxury shuttles and large cargo vans.
Limousine Comfort and Practicality
The manufacturer claims that the VLE combines limousine comfort with minivan practicality. The car offers flexible seating for up to eight passengers, a large MBUX Hyperscreen instrument panel running on the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz operating system (MB.OS), as well as numerous smart storage solutions.
Later, for buyers who want a full-fledged luxury chauffeur-driven experience, a more luxurious VLS version will appear, featuring lounge-style seats and a huge 4K resolution entertainment screen for rear passengers.
The Largest Radiator Grille in the Lineup
The teaser image shows a smooth front end with a radiator grille that is even larger than that of the new GLC EQ, flanked by the same star-shaped daytime running lights that give the van a unique identity.
Recent prototypes spotted during winter testing suggest that the overall body shape will be close to the silhouette of the Vision V concept: with a lower roofline and more sculpted sides to avoid the usual “boxy” look of most large vans.
Technical Specifications and Electric Platform
Under the hood, or rather at its foundation, the VAN.EA electric platform is expected to offer single- and dual-motor options for a wide range of performance. Base versions will get around 268 hp, while top models will approach the 470 hp mark.
Battery capacity may range from 90 kWh to nearly 120 kWh. The most efficient versions under the WLTP standard will be able to travel over 300 miles (500 km) on a single charge. All VLEs will support fast charging of up to 350 kW thanks to an 800-volt electrical architecture. Internal combustion engine models will remain on sale, but they will be built on a different platform.
A New Market Niche
Mercedes calls the VLE the world’s first urban SUV-limousine, although in reality it is a high-end electric minivan with big ambitions.
It will enter the market after similar models from Lexus, Volvo, and Zeekr. Full information about the car will be known in March, but it is already clear that the minivan class is about to become much more glamorous, even if the production model is slightly less revolutionary than the Vision V concept.
The arrival of the Mercedes VLE clearly demonstrates the trend of transformation in the commercial and family transport segment. Electrification allows manufacturers to radically rethink architecture, interior space, and driving character, offering customers an unprecedented level of comfort and technology in a practical body. The success of this model could be a signal to other premium brands about the potential of “luxury vans,” especially in markets where demand for large family cars remains high, but expectations for sustainability and innovation are constantly growing.
