Mercedes-Benz Eyes the Premium People Mover Segment with the VLE Concept
Der neue vollelektrische Mercedes-Benz VLE – Die Angaben sind vorläufig und wurden intern nach Maßgabe der Zertifizierungsmethode „WLTP-Prüfverfahren“ ermittelt. Es liegen bislang weder eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich. // The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE – Figures are preliminary and were determined internally in accordance with the \”WLTPtest procedure\”certificationmethod. At present, there has been neither an EC typeapprovalnor a certificate ofconformitywith official values. There may be discrepancies between thefigures providedand the official values.
Don’t call it a minivan. “We are not using ‘the m word,’ says chairman of the board of management and Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius. “We decided to call it a ‘grand limousine,’” he says of the 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE, a large luxury people mover with sliding doors.
His rationale: Its packaging and size (it is longer than a Cadillac Escalade) make it a lounge or living room on wheels. It is a size bigger than the vehicles in the traditional minivan segment.
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Der neue vollelektrische Mercedes-Benz VLE – Die Angaben sind vorläufig und wurden intern nach Maßgabe der Zertifizierungsmethode „WLTP-Prüfverfahren“ ermittelt. Es liegen bislang weder eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich. // The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE – Figures are preliminary and were determined internally in accordance with the \”WLTPtest procedure\”certificationmethod. At present, there has been neither an EC typeapprovalnor a certificate ofconformitywith official values. There may be discrepancies between thefigures providedand the official values.
Many versions of the VLE are in the works.
“I can see this vehicle in many different configurations,” says Källenius. “If you are a luxury hotel, that is the shuttle you have to have, no ifs or buts. If you have a large family, or coach a sports team, or have hobbies.”
It will be more of a niche vehicle as opposed to mainstream like SUVs. “I think we have a unique position with something in the upper end, the premium luxury space of that market that nobody else serves,” says the CEO. “So, we’re going to take that to the U.S. and see how it goes.”
Der neue vollelektrische Mercedes-Benz VLE – Die Angaben sind vorläufig und wurden intern nach Maßgabe der Zertifizierungsmethode „WLTP-Prüfverfahren“ ermittelt. Es liegen bislang weder eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich. // The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE – Figures are preliminary and were determined internally in accordance with the \”WLTPtest procedure\”certificationmethod. At present, there has been neither an EC typeapprovalnor a certificate ofconformitywith official values. There may be discrepancies between thefigures providedand the official values.
Will it take off in the U.S.?
Value Over Volume
It is a vehicle where value is more important than volume, Källenius says. “It’s okay if it’s a niche product, but I think it’s a niche product with potential.”
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Adam Chamberlain, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, thinks there is a market for the car at the right price. But it has to be done right. “We have to be on point and on target with how we try to sell that car.”
Mercedes says it has learned from its failed attempt to sell the Metris, a small van with sliding doors, in the U.S. It was discontinued at the end of the 2023 model year, having only sold about 60,000 units since 2015. “The Metris was too vanilla in everything it did,” Chamberlain says.
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The VLE is still a ways out, but there is a mountain of work to do in preparation, he says, It is a luxury people mover and must be positioned as such.
Der neue vollelektrische Mercedes-Benz VLE – Die Angaben sind vorläufig und wurden intern nach Maßgabe der Zertifizierungsmethode „WLTP-Prüfverfahren“ ermittelt. Es liegen bislang weder eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich. // The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE – Figures are preliminary and were determined internally in accordance with the \”WLTPtest procedure\”certificationmethod. At present, there has been neither an EC typeapprovalnor a certificate ofconformitywith official values. There may be discrepancies between thefigures providedand the official values.
Electric VLEs will launch first.
Many Versions of VLE Planned
North America will only get the long-wheelbase version of the luxury van, expected sometime in 2027 as a 2028 model. The 2028 VLE will come with two electric powertrains: the VLE300 with a single motor to drive the front wheels and the VLE400 4Matic with two motors for all-wheel drive. A top-of-the-line model will launch first, followed by a more affordable version. At some point there will be an even more luxurious VLS-Class.
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After the electric models, there will be V-Classes with internal combustion engines. Mercedes has a new line of six-cylinder engines as well as a new family of V-8 engines with a flat-plane crankshaft.
The van has many configurations, able to seat as many as eight or as few as four with the rear passengers stretched out in recliner seats, handling 31.3-inch screens from the headliner.
Der neue vollelektrische Mercedes-Benz VLE – Die Angaben sind vorläufig und wurden intern nach Maßgabe der Zertifizierungsmethode „WLTP-Prüfverfahren“ ermittelt. Es liegen bislang weder eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich. // The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE – Figures are preliminary and were determined internally in accordance with the \\\”WLTPtest procedure\\\”certificationmethod. At present, there has been neither an EC typeapprovalnor a certificate ofconformitywith official values. There may be discrepancies between thefigures providedand the official values.\n\nAlisa PriddleWriterApr 08, 2026\nDer neue vollelektrische Mercedes-Benz VLE – Die Angaben sind vorläufig und wurden intern nach Maßgabe der Zertifizierungsmethode „WLTP-Prüfverfahren“ ermittelt. Es liegen bislang weder eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich. // The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE – Figures are preliminary and were determined internally in accordance with the \”WLTPtest procedure\”certificationmethod. At present, there has been neither an EC typeapprovalnor a certificate ofconformitywith official values. There may be discrepancies between thefigures providedand the official values.\nDon’t call it a minivan. “We are not using ‘the m word,’ says chairman of the board of management and Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius. “We decided to call it a ‘grand limousine,’” he says of the 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE, a large luxury people mover with sliding doors.\n\nHis rationale: Its packaging and size (it is longer than a Cadillac Escalade) make it a lounge or living room on wheels. It is a size bigger than the vehicles in the traditional minivan segment.\n\nADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW\n\nDer neue vollelektrische Mercedes-Benz VLE – Die Angaben sind vorläufig und wurden intern nach Maßgabe der Zertifizierungsmethode „WLTP-Prüfverfahren“ ermittelt. Es liegen bislang weder eine EG-Typgenehmigung noch eine Konformitätsbescheinigung mit amtlichen Werten vor. Abweichungen zwischen den Angaben und den amtlichen Werten sind möglich. // The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE – Figures are preliminary and were determined internally in accordance with the \”WLTPtest procedure\”certificationmethod. At present, there has been neither an EC typeapprovalnor a certificate ofconformitywith official values. There may be discrepancies between thefigures providedand the official values.\nMany versions of the VLE are in the works.\n\n“I can see this vehicle in many different configurations,” says Källenius. “If you are a luxury hotel, that is the shuttle you have to have, no ifs or buts. If you have a large family, or coach a sports team, or have hobbies.”\n\nIt will be more of a niche vehicle as opposed to mainstream like SUVs. “I think we have a unique position with something in the upper end, the
