New Mercedes VLE looks vantastic
Loads of space, loads of range and loads of screen for new electric luxury MPV
It doesn’t matter what the event, be it a film festival, a fashion week or a sports tournament, if there are celebs to be shuttled somewhere, their transport is almost guaranteed: it’ll be a Mercedes V-Class. It’s simply too well suited to the task at hand, with some nice Merc ambient lighting and leather inside for the vibes, but also the usefulness of a van (let’s be honest here) for decent shuttling space in a footprint that works on city streets. They’re even getting Maybached these days, to show just what a big deal VIP spec Merc vans are.
So it makes sense that the V-Class is going electric. This is the VLE, and it’s far more than a facelift or a battery dropped into an existing model (as the old EQV was). It’s the first vehicle built on Mercedes’ new Van Architecture, which Benz Chairman Ola Kallenius suggests “redefines the notion of space and comfort, and adds a game-changing level of versatility and innovation”. It’s underpinned by 800-volt electric tech, with more than three miles per kilowatt hour claimed and 435 miles in total from the 115kWh battery. And while the battery capacity multiplied by the official consumption doesn’t get the claimed range, it does get you 380 miles. That should do a lot of shunting around Sloane Square. Charging is up to 300kW, and the VLE will launch as a 276hp 300 spec; a dual motor, 4Matic 400 with 415hp is coming, as are VLEs with an 80kWh battery.
Which will matter far less, surely, to most prospective buyers than the astonishing new interior. If there was Mercedes for every bell and whistle possible, from the MBUX Superscreen to the Sky View roof and the MBUX Rear Space Experience to the Grand Comfort Seat, the VLE is it. The Rear Space Experience really is something special by the sounds of it, not unlike a BMW i7 with an 8K 31-inch panoramic screen that’s in the headliner above the front seats. It has a camera as well, for video conferences (or whatever else you do on film). As standard there’s room for eight in an VLE, with some seats manually removable and others controllable by app, which definitely doesn’t sound potentially infuriating. The Grand Comfort Seat will surely be in demand however, boasting as it does an extra pillow, wireless charging, massage and calf support.
Just in case that won’t make the journey comfy enough, there’s Airmatic air suspension on a VLE for a ‘remarkably serene experience.’ Whoever’s behind the wheel will benefit from rear-wheel steering to shrink the turning circle to 10.9 metres (perfect for London streets) alongside optional MB Drive Assist (perfect for the journey there from Heathrow). They get screens aplenty so as not to feel left out, including a 10.25-inch display straight ahead and a 14-inch dash screen. Which still sounds like a very small TV rather than something for a car (or a van), but such is the way of the world. Probably it’ll be a 31-inch 8K display to match the rear one soon.
Kallenius added: “The all-new electric VLE marks the next significant milestone in our successful 140-year automotive history. Shaped by our pioneering spirit, it… offers a class-leading range of more than 700 km. The VLE is the first model to be built on the new Van Architecture, designed to meet a wide range of customer needs and adapt to any lifestyle.” So expect a new Marco Polo and maybe just a regular van in due course, as well as those kitted out for A-list express travel. UK specs and availability are going to follow later in 2026, but given the old V-Class was essentially an £80k prospect in its last year on sale it’s hard to imagine the VLE being any less. And that’s before any further modification - see here for just how swish some Mercedes vans have been made, and prepare to be amazed.
ker of a thing. That said it is a van. So ... yeah it's alright.
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