The brand new Mercedes-Benz VLE electrical folks service replaces the EQV and pushes the agency’s MPV providing even additional upmarket with premium tech, a protracted vary and the newest connectivity options.
The VLE Is the primary mannequin based mostly on Mercedes’ new VAN.EA platform, which is able to underpin its future van-shaped EVs, together with an ultra-luxurious VLS MPV.
“We hope that we will handle prospects who aren’t even taking a look at a V-Class as we speak,” chief engineer Benjamin Kaehler instructed Autocar.
“Perhaps this may very well be a buyer who’s shopping for an E-Class as we speak however needs an extra seat, or he needs simply more room as a result of he needs to move a bicycle each every now and then however the E-Class is not sufficiently big.”
The primary variant would be the VLE 300, providing 268bhp and a spread of greater than 435 miles, because of a big, 115kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. Its electrical structure runs at 800V, enabling a suitably high-powered charger so as to add 199 miles of vary in simply quarter-hour. It is also able to bidirectional charging. There may even be a extra highly effective, four-wheel-drive VLE 400 with 409bhp and a 0-62mph time of 6.5sec.
Extra entry-level fashions will arrive subsequent 12 months, fitted with 80kWh lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. Combustion-engined variants, based mostly on the associated VAN.CA platform, will observe at a later date.
The 5309mm-long VLE has a decrease, extra streamlined silhouette than the outgoing V-Class and EQV, giving it a drag coefficient of simply 0.25 – the identical because the swoopy EQE SUV, for reference. To assist enhance its manoeuvrability, its rear wheels can steer at angles of as much as 7deg, shortening the turning circle to only 10.9m.
The VLE additionally heralds Mercedes’ new MB.OS working system, which options an Al-powered voice assistant and might settle for over-the-air software program updates. An non-compulsory Superscreen spans the complete dashboard, whereas within the rear a 31.3in, 8K-resolution show can drop from the headliner for passengers leisure and wellbeing.
The VLE will be configured to accommodate between 5 and eight folks in new, manually adjustable seats. As within the comparable Volkswagen Multivan, the seats will be eliminated fully to create 4078 litres of load area, however uniquely they’re outfitted with rollers in order that they are often wheeled moderately than carried when outdoors the van. Alternatively, prospects can choice in electronically adjustable rear seats that may be repositioned via preset configurations.
