New Electric Mercedes VLE - a Family MPV or Luxury Limousine
Mercedes will tell you that the new all-electric VLE offers the best of both worlds as “it combines limousine-like ride and handling with MPV-style versatility.“
And by looking through the pictures, this seems to be an entirely accurate statement.
The New mercedes VLE
Based on a newly developed modular, flexible and scalable Van Architecture, Mercedes has done an astonishing job of converting its van into luxury transport, family-friendly mobility, or as multi-occupancy taxi.
In fact, Mercedes claims the new VLE offers a superior ride with “comfort levels of a true premium limousine” thanks to AIRMATIC air suspension that has 40 mm of level control.
And despite its size, the VLE is an agile vehicle to manoeuvre utilising seven-degree rear-axle steering giving it a 10.9 meter turning circle.
First Class Style Travel in the back of the VLE
The headline stats are impressive. The VLE sits on a 115 kWh (usable) battery, and because it has 800v architecture it can add 220 miles of range in just 15 minutes.
Mercedes also claims the VLE 400 can exceed 435 miles of range on a single charge (based on the WLTP test cycle), which is partly due to a focus on efficiency and aerodynamics that result in a low drag coefficient of 0.25 cd.
For those looking to ferry large families, or taxi companies that require cars with with multiple rows of seats, the VLE can accommodate 8 people in MPV format.
The seats can also be moved back and forth easily, folded flat, or removed entirely if more cargo space is needed. It can even go back to its origins and become a carpeted van, albeit without the bulkhead.
When fitted with electrically adjustable seats - if used as a limousine - they can be moved via an app from a head unit to offer rear passengers additional room, or to collapse the seats into a snooze position. And when done, passengers can gaze out at the sky or stars through its huge panoramic roof.
Versatile seats
First introduced in the refreshed Mercedes S Class, the MB.OS operating system is now available in the VLE which also adopts Mercedes’ latest MBUX screens with a native language, virtual AI assistant.
In the VLE the MBUX technology extends to a retractable, 79-centimetre (31.3-inch) panoramic, 8K screen hidden discreetly in the headliner.
This screen can be used for watching films, playing video games, watching music videos and even conduction video conferences, and it can also be split for dual-functionality.
Mercedes 79 cm Panoramic Screen
The driver and front passenger don’t miss out, either, as there are three screens to use:
A 26‑centimetre (10.25‑inch) driver display
A 35.6‑centimetre (14‑inch) central display
A 35.6‑centimetre (14‑inch) screen for the front passenger
The front passenger can also enjoy a similar level of entertainment experience – such as video streaming, gaming or using the pre-loaded apps.
Mercedes says that pricing and full specifications will be revealed at a later date but hasn’t revealed when.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more. You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.