Luxury Car Manufacturer Mercedes Sets to Elevate Camper Van Experience to Elite Levels
Mercedes-Benz has announced plans for its next generation of vans, with a focus on electric power and luxury offerings. The new vans, set to be released next year, will mark a significant shift in the company's commercial vehicle lineup.
The electric vans will lead the charge, with the primary motor located on the front axle. For 4Matic models in North America, a smaller motor will also be added. This move towards electrification is in line with Mercedes' commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
The successful Sprinter van, currently produced in South Carolina, will form part of this new generation of commercial vans. The Sprinter van is expected to be followed by ICE-powered models.
In addition to the Sprinter, there will be two types of vans: the Mercedes-Benz VLE and VLS-Class. The VLE is the successor to the V-Class MPV and is designed to seat up to eight passengers, similar to the E-Class. On the other hand, the VLS-Class, often referred to as a "Grand Limousine," is a luxury offering comparable to the S-Class. The VLS is best driven by a chauffeur due to its two-passenger, second-row layout.
The VLS-Class has been teased by the Vision V luxury van concept, which featured a 62-inch screen and futuristic reclining seats. With its high-end features and potential for VIP transportation, the VLS is likely to be popular in China and could also find a market in the U.S. The VLS-Class will be manufactured by Magna Steyr.
The new vans will ride on the new VAN.EA architecture for electric models, while hybrid models will use VAN.CA. Both architectures are designed to support fast charging, with an 800-volt architecture featured in the new vans.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of the Mercedes-Benz Group, thinks there is potential for a high-end luxury minivan in America. However, there will not be an AMG version of the new vans, according to Michael Schieffe, head of Mercedes-AMG as well as Mercedes-Maybach.
The VAN.CA platform will underpin the next generation Sprinter vans as well as the Vito/V-Class in Europe. The new generation of Mercedes-Benz vans for North America will be available in both personal and commercial versions.
The rollout of the new vans will initially be in Europe, followed by North America, China, and other parts of the world. However, the exact timeline for the U.S. rollout is still under discussion.
According to Ola Källenius, the future of the Sprinter van is expected to be written with this new generation. With its focus on electrification, luxury offerings, and versatility, the next generation of Mercedes-Benz vans is set to redefine the commercial vehicle market.
Read also:
- Show a modicum of decency, truly
- Advanced Brabus Model Not Suitable for Inexperienced Drivers
- AI-Powered X-Nave Platform and Fresh Gaming Content to be Demonstrated by EGT Digital at SBC Summit Lisbon Event
- Latest Developments in Electric Vehicle, Battery, and Charging: IBM, Tervine, ACM, Clarios, Altris, 25M, Lion Electric, InductEV, EVgo, Toyota, EVCS, StoreDot, and REE Are in Focus
