The outgoing Mercedes EQV was an impressive people carrier that brought electric power to a segment long dominated by diesel and offered a credible alternative to the Volkswagen’s ID Buzz. But despite its strengths, it never entirely escaped its origins. it always felt like a well-executed electric version of a van.
The new Mercedes VLE is based on Mercedes’ new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) that will support not only electric but also petrol and diesel models. It sits at the centre of a new family of electric MPVs that will stretch from the next-gen Vito commercial vehicle to the luxurious Mercedes-Maybach VLS unveiled earlier this year.
The scale of progress over the EQV is immediately evident. The VLE will be offered in standard-wheelbase form measuring 5309mm long with a 3342mm wheelbase, alongside a 5484mm version on a 3517mm wheelbase when UK sales begin later this year.
The range opens with the front-drive VLE 300, powered by a 272bhp front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor. Drawing from a 115kWh battery, it is said to cover 414 miles on a charge, and it can hit 62mph in 9.5sec. Above it sits the dual-motor VLE 400 4Matic, with 416bhp. Mercedes claims 0-62mph in 6.5sec and a range of “more than” 391 miles. Both receive the same 115kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery and 800V architecture, and DC charging is rated at 300kW.
Mercedes plans to broaden the line-up next year with two additional models using a 80kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery.
The VLE seats between four and eight, depending on configuration, and offers a wide variety of layouts. A new ‘Roll and Go’ function allows seats to manually slide, fold and be removed, while electrically adjustable versions can be repositioned remotely via the infotainment or an app.
