Mercedes vans’ new era begins with the slightly mad Vision V

The first step into Mercedes’ new era of vans has been revealed. The Vision V looks the part — and a little bit crazy — but is it really the future?

Earlier this year, we asked: ‘what’s next for Mercedes‑Benz Vans?’ 

And Mercedes has answered: ‘the Vision V’. Based on the brand’s upcoming Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) — set to land in 2026 — this ‘luxurious and elegant MPV’ certainly looks designed for the future on the outside. But will it be the revolution that it’s currently being hyped-up as?

Despite being based on the same type of future-focussed, modular, scalable skateboard infrastructure (say that 10 times fast) as Kia’s PBV and Renault’s Flexis ranges, there is one key differentiator to set the Mercedes concept apart: a little bit of decadence. 

“With the Vision V we take that heritage and transform it into a completely new context of highest luxury transportation. This show car embodies the perfect harmony between luxury and van design, setting a new benchmark for the future.” - Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Mercedes-Benz Group AG

In a portfolio expanding range set to pack in everything from entry-level family vehicles to luxurious VIP shuttles and limousines, the Vision V sits somewhere at the top end. But what do you actually get in this chauffeur-driven limo-van?

A private lounge on wheels?

Step in through the auto-opening ‘portal’ door on the Visions V’s right-hand side, and you’ll find yourself in the spacious rear ‘private lounge’, separated from the drivers’ bay by a pane of smart glass which can be flipped section by section from transparent to opaque.

High-end the interior may be, but tasteful? Maybe less so — although we’ll leave the judgement on that up to you. 

The lounge is a sea of crystal Nappa leather, white silk, various wood tones, and polished glimmering metallic trim. It’s as if the early noughties were thrown in a blender with a more modern aesthetic. This feeling is reinforced by no less than 42 surround sound loudspeakers — some of which are mounted into glass enclosures with handmade brackets — and a 65-inch cinema screen, complete with gaming controller. Oh, and if you’re after something slightly more old-school, there’s a fold out table with a chess set attached. How cerebral.

And where do you enjoy this somewhat overwhelming array of entertainment and styling from? The ‘first-class’ seats, which would neither look out of place on a private jet, or at a retro-futurism design exhibition. Constructed from tubular cushioned tubes supported by polished aluminium elements, their flexibility allows for a full recline position to be achieved thanks to some electric motors. Perfect for gazing up at the fancy central lamp and strip lighting combo (which sync up to the beat of the music) on the ceiling — but only once you’ve tired yourself out with movies, gaming, and chess, of course.

Despite mentions of karaoke, shopping, and augmented reality also being floated as Vision V selling points, Mercedes has also made a point of highlighting that there are options for business as well as pleasure in here, with the lounge capable of becoming a ‘mobile office’ — but we’ll need to wait for more details on this side of things it seems.

So, the fluid and futuristic silhouette — punctuated by borderline sci-fi detailing — certainly looks like a step towards the future, and there’s plenty of forward-thinking tech packed in beneath the nostalgia-tinged interior. But is this slightly mad luxury van really the future of MPVs?

Hero image credit: Mercedes-Benz