Mercedes’ new period of ultra-luxurious limos might be VANS: Plush electrical VLE is the primary – and it has an enormous TV
German car giant Mercedes-Benz has been a favourite brand for chauffeuring execs, celebs and diplomates in style for decades.
Typically, it has been one of its super-luxurious saloon models that have been deployed to shuttle A-listers to their destinations.
But that’s all about to change in the electric era, with the premium motor firm pivoting to a new breed of spacious glam wagons for the future.
Unveiling its latest model this month, bosses say it will ‘redefine the grand limousine’ by switching from its traditional saloons to an all-new van-based platform.
The VLE, debuted in Stuttgart last week, is claimed to ‘combine the best of two worlds’: the comfort of a limo and cabin space of a people carrier.
The lavish EV boasts Mercedes’ biggest battery available today, a new 800-volt architecture and class-leaving charging speeds. This means VIPs should never be late for a high-profile appointment again.
Most examples – which will likely be snapped up by flashy airport transfer operators and luxury private hire firms – are expected to cost in excess of £100,000 once a host of gadgetry has been added.
Mercedes’ limo of the future: The German luxury car giant says its electric limousines will not be conventional saloon cars with extended wheelbases but large, spacious vans
The VLE should be more than up to the task of running customers back and forth to the departures and arrivals gates of airports.
The VLE300 will launch the new ‘VL’ range and marries the car firm’s largest battery – a 115kW unit – with a single electric motor powering the front wheels.
It is claimed to deliver a range of more than 434 miles between charges, which is almost double that of the EQV it replaces (222 miles) and bests every other MPV-sized electric vehicle on the market.
Theoretically, it delivers enough single-charge range to drive from York to collect a customer from London Heathrow and drive straight back without needing to stop for a fresh dose of kilowatts.
And if a charge is required, 221 miles can be added in just a quarter of an hour.
While electric Mercedes MPVs of the past have simply been combustion-engine V-Class models retrofitted into EVs, the VLE is built from the ground up specifically to be a battery-powered vehicle.
As such, there are elements to its design that have been tuned for it to be electricity efficient.
This includes its streamlined silhouette, which has an incredibly low drag coefficient of 0.25. To put that into perspective, that’s slipperier than a £2.1million McLaren Speedtail.
This explains why it should be able to cover over 430 miles, despite having the dimensions of a small portacabin, measuring in at 5.3 metres long, two metres wide and nearly two metres high.
It also helps to offset the motor’s massive 2.8-tonne bulk, which is a result of both its scale, hefty battery pack and the use of two electrically operated sliding doors.
Bosses say the VLE will ‘redefine the grand limousine’ as Mercedes-Benz looks to steer away from tradition
The Mercedes limo van has a better drag coefficient (a measure of how aerodynamic the body is) than a £2.1million McLaren Speedtail hypercar (right)
Inside, the cabin is incredibly flexible, with seating for up to eight people in total but with the option of removing or rotating the chairs into a living room-style setup.
All manually adjustable seats have four integrated wheels on the underside so that they can be moved back and forth in the interior, locked in any position, or easily removed and rolled into the garage when not in use.
Electrically adjustable seats can be moved using an app or control panel in the head unit. Mercedes describes adjusting them as ‘almost like choreographing a ballet’.
Customers can upgrade the rear chairs to ‘Grand Comfort Seats’, which are business-class-style lounge chairs with an additional pillow, wireless charging, lumbar support, massage function and calf support.
One of the most prominent features inside is this enormous 31.3-inch (79cm) 8K monitor
The display is hidden in the limo’s ceiling and retracts to stretch across the width of the cabin. It has a high-definition camera too, allowing passengers to take part in video conference calls
Passengers can then kick back and watch an enormous 31.3-inch (79cm) 8K monitor.
Hidden in the limo’s ceiling, it retracts to stretch across the width of the cabin.
The screen has split-screen functionality and an eight-megapixel camera, which means occupants can watch their favourite movies or attend video conferences during journeys.
For those looking to have a quieter journey, the VLE has the option of a ‘Sky View’ panoramic roof, which spans almost the entire rear compartment.
Mercedes says it ‘conveys an unprecedented sense of space and freedom as well as tranquillity’ and can be complemented by surround ambient lighting to enhance the sensation of relaxation on the move.
The ‘Grand Comfort Seats’ are optional, providing business-class-style lounge chairs with an additional pillow, wireless charging and massage function
The VLE boasts a ‘Sky View’ panoramic roof, which spans almost the entire rear compartment
And passengers will likely be able to nod off with ease thanks to the combination of luxury seating, near-silent acoustics and an incredibly supple ride provided by the brand’s ‘Airmatic’ air suspension.
Chauffeurs will also welcome the VLE’s rear-wheel steering, which delivers and far tighter turning circle than the motor’s dimensions might suggest, which could spare a few blushes if there’s a tight corner before the drop-off point of a glitzy red-carpet premiere in London.
High-specification examples will be available with Mercedes’ enormous MBUX Superscreen – three linked displays behind a large glass panel combining the driver’s instrument cluster (10.25 inches), an enormous 14-inch infotainment screen and a secondary 14‑inch display specifically for the front passenger.
This allows a front-seat passenger to watch films or use apps on the move without distracting the driver… in theory.
It too has the brand’s latest semi-autonomous driving technology and an AI assistant drivers can communicate with during journeys to avoid using the expansive screen.
Inside, the cabin is incredibly flexible, with seating for up to eight people in total but with the option of removing or rotating the chairs into a living room-style setup
The driver is treated to the latest generation of Mercedes’ own MBUX Superscreen, which is a single glass panel with three split screens spanning the dashboard
There are a few practical features as well. This includes its split boot operation with a hidden button in the rear window wiper module that opens just the glass panel rather than the full rear door – a useful feature when you want to quickly chuck a coat or rucksack in the back.
‘The all-new electric VLE marks the next significant milestone in our successful 140-year automotive history,’ said Ola Källenius, Mercedes’ top exec.
‘Shaped by our pioneering spirit, it redefines the notion of space and comfort, and adds a game-changing level of versatility and innovation.’
He added: ‘The VLE is the first model to be built on the new Van Architecture, designed to meet a wide range of customer needs and adapt to any lifestyle.’
Prices has yet to be confirmed but expect the VLE300 to cost around £100k with all the toys and trinkets included.
Orders in the UK can be taken later this year, with deliveries due before the end of 2026.
