Mercedes-Benz Vision VMercedes-Benz AG – Communicati photo by Dirk Weyhenmeyer on beh/Courtesy of manufacturer
Don’t let your eyes fool you. Sure, the Vision V concept from Mercedes-Benz may look exactly like a van, but the luxury German automaker says it’s definitely “not a van.”
“It’s a chauffeur-driven limousine,” says Andreas Zygan, head of development for Mercedes-Benz vans. “Look at it, it’s not boxy at all.”
The Vision V, which made its debut at the Shanghai auto show in April, isn’t your mom’s Dodge Caravan, Mercedes says.
The concept EV, designed to showcase the German automaker’s upcoming new electric van platform, is a VIP lounge on wheels with space for two VIPs.
Looking in to the Vision V from the side.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communicati photo by Dirk Weyhenmeyer on beh/Courtesy of manufacturer
There are two seats in the cabin – and two up front (behind a barrier) for the driver and, I guess, your butler or your Birkin bag.
When the van makes it to production, each one will be built to order. Mercedes imagines A-listers climbing out of the sliding door onto the red carpet at, say, the Grammys or the Met Gala.
That may still seem like a stretch here in North America, where we still associate vans with soccer moms.
But, in China there’s a market for luxury EV MPVs (multi-passenger vehicles) such as the Li Mega and the limousine version of Volvo’s EX90.
The Vision V has 2 seats in the back plus a virtual fireplace and seven hidden projectors.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communicati photo by Dirk Weyhenmeyer on beh/Courtesy of manufacturer
Insta-ready?
Outside, it’s sleek and has subtle curves, a solar roof to recharge the battery and nifty LED lights, including an illuminated hood ornament and a frame of LED lights around the transparent rear door. It’s quietly sexy – and it still looks like a van.
Inside, it’s a cocoon of white Nappa leather, wood, silk and clear glass. The barrier between the driver and the passengers can turn opaque – and it features a retractable 65-inch screen for watching movies, gaming or, Mercedes says, singing karaoke.
Plus, there’s a virtual fireplace and seven hidden projectors that can turn the walls, windows (which can also turn opaque) and ceiling into soothing virtual spaces – or project the latest blockbuster all around you. It’s all hooked up to a 42-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos and vibrating seats.
In case you want to nap, those two seats, which look a little like futuristic dentist chairs, recline fully into beds, like in a first-class seat on a plane.
It’s all impressive, but it still feels like an extremely luxurious van.
How much of this will make it into the production version? If Mercedes’s past concepts are any indication, probably not a lot. But expect comfort and luxury.
The Vision V may look like a minivan from the outside, but Mercedes doesn't want you to think of it as one.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communicati photo by Dirk Weyhenmeyer on beh/Courtesy of manufacturer
Van-naissance?
Even though most of us aren’t in the market for a custom-built limo, could the idea spark some renewed interest in vans in North America, where we favour trucks and big SUVs?
Well, three-row EV SUVs already have the flat-floors and cargo room of minivans, but just lack the sliding doors. Sales of Volkswagen’s retro EV minivan, the ID.Buzz have reportedly been disappointing, largely because of the range (372 kilometres for the AWD version) and over-$80,000 starting price tag.
The electric version of Mercedes’s new van platform will launch next year, with a combustion version coming “later.” The two versions share 70 per cent of the same parts and can be built on the same production line, Zygan says. The company didn’t provide many technical details about the electric platform, other than that it will have an 800-volt charging system (allowing faster DC fast charging).
Mercedes, which last year shelved plans to sell only electric cars by 2030, is following that same strategy – electric and gas versions of the same vehicle – on its new CLA class. Mercedes says that gives them flexibility if there’s wavering market demand for EVs.
The vans will be available in versions including, depending on the market, corporate shuttles and camper vans (expected to be popular in Europe). There will also be cargo versions that will replace the current Mercedes Sprinter.
Prices haven’t been announced and Mercedes didn’t say exactly what we’ll see in Canada – or when we’ll see it.
The rear of the Vision V.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communicati photo by Dirk Weyhenmeyer on beh/Courtesy of manufacturer
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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