Mercedes-Benz Vision V Previews A

 

The production-version of this hyper-luxury van will come to the U.S., Mercedes says.

• Mercedes' Vision V design study previews an opulent new luxury people carrier.
• It looks bold and futuristic inside and out, but the interior's retro-futuristic look steals the show.
• The toned-down production version of this concept debuts next year.

While in Stuttgart a few months back to see the Vision V concept, I asked Mercedes-Benz representatives whether it was like a V-Class or something else. They replied that it’s more like an S-Class, which seemed a bit unusual given the “V” in its name. When I had the chance to climb aboard, it all made sense.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision V is a luxurious people carrier concept that previews a future production model, and it feels like the van version of Mercedes' longtime flaghship. The exterior design gives a strong indication of what the series model will look like, but the interior is pure Mercedes-Benz design fantasy, complete with a roll-up 65-inch sliding screen that disappears into the floor. 

Photo by: Mercedes-Benz

Before seeing the screen, though, your eye is drawn to the positively lavish armchairs, of which there are only two in the Vision V. They look like a futuristic interpretation of a 1970s design—they reminded me of Citroen SM seats—and it felt really special to sit in them as they reclined themselves into lounge chairs.

The cabin in the Vision V isn't as tall as in the EQV, and it doesn’t feel like a van inside. If you step outside and look at the side profile of the vehicle, it’s pretty obvious it’s a lot lower and more streamlined than today’s V-Class. It looks really good in person, especially from the rear, with the light cluster that goes all the way around the rear end. That surely isn’t legal on a production vehicle, so it will likely not make it to the final design.

One element that looks production-ready is the dashboard. It has the same design as in the recently released CLA, with three screens and a very simple, flat look. You won’t see the dashboard from the back, where the view into the driver’s compartment can be blocked either by raising the screen or by turning the electrochromic glass divider opaque.

The concept has 45 speakers and extensive ambient lighting that makes it feel like an opulent two-person private movie theater, not something you are driven around in. Interestingly, even though the concept has a distinct futuristic vibe, the interior uses a lot of soft leather and open-pore wood as well as glass. This gives it a more old-world luxury feel than you’d expect, and it’s a surprisingly cozy feeling place. That's especially true with the digital fire going on the partly lowered screen, which allows you to see hot embers through the floor.

Mercedes also showed us the production-intent model inspired by the Vision V, which looks a lot like the concept but is toned down in some key areas. It’s coming next year on a version of the new 800-volt VAN.EA platform called VAN.EA-P for “luxury private vans.” It will have a range of “well over” 310 miles (500 km), according to the manufacturer, and it will be available in the United States.

Another version of the architecture is VAN.EA-C, and it will be used for two more “premium commercial vans." One looks Sprinter-sized with a long wheelbase and high roof, while the other is roughly the size of the people carrier but with a boxier, more squared-off body shape. Both versions of the platform feature a single motor driving the front wheels in base form, with the option for an additional drive unit to power the rear.

Clearly, Mercedes has big plans for this van platform. We're excited to see the final versions. If they're anything like the concept, Mercedes may finally be able to sell Americans and Europeans on the luxurious van segment that's already taken over Asia.