(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – The (electric) Mercedes V-Class is dead, long live the VLE! This could be the motto from March 10, 2026, when Mercedes unveils its new large-capacity sedan. Now there is a teaser image as a preview.
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It is already visible here that the VLE follows Mercedes’ latest design language: the three-pointed stars in the headlights and the grille with an illuminated frame are reminiscent of models like the revised S-Class or the GLC EQ. The expressive appearance is likely also due to the Chinese market, where very eye-catching large-capacity vans like the Lexus LM are currently in vogue.
Overall, the production VLE is not very far from the “Vision V” study that Mercedes presented in 2025. Currently, they are still keeping a low profile. Officially, it only says: “With the new electric VLE, Mercedes-Benz is ushering in a new era. As the first vehicle based on the modular, flexible, and scalable Van Architecture, the VLE defines a new segment as a Grand Limousine.”
And further: “The new VLE combines the best of two worlds: the driving comfort and driving dynamics of a sedan with the versatility of an MPV. With up to eight seats and innovative interior features, the VLE redefines space. It is, in the truest sense of the word, a quick-change artist. Whether as a flexible family companion, a stylish all-rounder for leisure activities, or an exclusive premium shuttle – it adapts seamlessly to a variety of different lifestyles.”
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However, images of prototypes show that the Vito and the V-Class will also get successor models as internal combustion engines. These are likely to be designed somewhat more conventionally to prioritize practical utility. The same applies to the simpler versions of the VLE. With up to 7 degrees of rear-wheel steering, the VLE’s turning circle is less than 10,9 meters.
From 2026, the plant in Vitoria, Spain, will initially produce the all-electric VLE, the V-Class, the Vito, and the eVito fully flexibly according to individual customer demand. The VLE will be integrated into the ongoing production at the Vitoria plant, initially as an electric vehicle, and later also with a state-of-the-art internal combustion engine. This means that various Mercedes vehicle models with flexible drive systems will roll off the same assembly line here.
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Mercedes “Little G” (2027): Mini G-Class is coming as an internal combustion engine after all
Mercedes has secretly modernized the “Red Pig” from AMG
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