Mercedes-Benz is revamping the V-Class – it is more luxurious than ever. Test drive in the first class bus, which even has a magnetic champagne glass.
There has traditionally been a real class society at Mercedes-Benz. Not just with customers, but also with the names of the models. From A to X – each series has its own class. However, not everyone had the class to survive. The SUV-like MPVs with the R in their name only lasted seven years (twelve in China). The pick-up with the X (the Mercedes-Benz X-Class) was over after just three years. A fate that is unlikely to threaten the V-Class, which was introduced in 1996. The Mercedes bus is now in its fifth generation. Significantly upgraded as a noble vehicle for the wealthy family or as a VIP transporter for business people. To make the whole thing befitting, the new V-Class even gets a free-standing star on the hood (Exclusive Line), the grill lights up at night and then there is the magical champagne glass on the center table in the rear, thanks to its Magnetic floor also survives bold vertical curves. Noblesse oblige – the global haute volée sends its regards. Whether in the USA or China, the van with the star is a popular means of transport there.
New V-Class from Mercedes: 64 colors and massage seats
Luxury – that is the basic strategy of Mercedes-Benz. Now also with vans. That's why the new V-Class has been given a completely new cockpit. Fully digital with two 12.3-inch screens with widescreen optics, plus a new steering wheel, lots of chrome, shine and glory. For the first time you have the feeling that you are no longer sitting in a commercial vehicle. MBUX is standard, the ambient light can be varied with 64 colors - optionally, the huge two-part panoramic roof brings you closer to the sky. Massage seats? Of course. There is even a dedicated business chair in the back. Seat cooling and heating included, and of course the backrests can be folded down. For a power nap between two meetings. Cost: over 10,000 euros. That's what you used to get a new small car for. Piano lacquer, leather, wood, as far as the eye can see. Hard plastic only where you don't normally look - the entire interior has been heavily refurbished. Beautiful living on four wheels. The only thing missing is the doormats, which extend automatically when the two side doors (now standard) open fully electrically.
The driving comfort and assistance systems have also been improved. The intelligent light with 84 individually controllable LEDs is on board for the first time, as is a 360-degree camera. The Trailer Assist helps with maneuvering the trailer - here the V-Class remains a real commercial vehicle, it can hook up to two tons. Depending on your wallet, you can order almost anything that Mercedes has on its shelf in terms of assistants. Commendable: You can turn off the mandatory annoying speed warning with a single “touch” on the screen.
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Electric Mercedes-Benz EQV - how far does it actually go?
Of course, the luxury creature can also be moved. We chose the EQV - as a sort of foretaste of the upcoming full electrification of the Mercedes van division from 2026. In addition, true luxury also has something to do with the absence of noise. Driving the EQV is indeed enjoyable in this respect. We hum through the landscape as if we were with our direct competitor, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, and allow ourselves to be seduced by the powerful torque (365 Nm) to chase agile curves, which the rolling salon manages remarkably well.
Depending on your requirements, the e-bus can be ordered with two battery sizes. 60 or 90 kWh (249 / 365 km range). The electric motor has a peak power of 204 hp and a continuous output of 95 hp. The standard consumption is given as 27 kWh per 100 kilometers. In our test it was 25.6 kWh after exactly 100 kilometers. The conditions were more than ideal. Temperatures around 20 degrees, we completed about half of the route on country roads in the south of France with a maximum speed of 70. We covered the other 50 percent on the motorway, mostly at 120 km/h. In the end, 225 of the original 365 kilometers remained. Realistically and with a lot of city traffic, the EQV should cover just under 300 kilometers. Nothing new when it comes to charging: 11 kW on the wallbox, a maximum of 110 kW with direct current. You have to invest 40 minutes until the luxury van has 80 percent battery power again.
And these are the prices for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class
The V-Class is available with four additional engines. Three diesel engines with 163, 190 and 237 hp and one petrol engine as a mild hybrid with 231 hp (from autumn). The combustion engines are powered on the rear axle (the diesel engines are also available as an all-wheel drive version). Like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, they will probably make up the majority of orders. The electric V-Class has the engine on the front axle and also pushes here. The price starts at 57,482 euros for the small diesel in the Style equipment variant. All combustion engines are available in three sizes: 4.90, 5.19 or 5.37 meters long, and can be ordered with six or eight seats. The EQV costs from 58,500 euros with the small battery. If you want the large battery, you have to add another 3,500 euros.
Technical data Mercedes V-Class Style (entry-level model)
Engine: 2.0 liter diesel
Drive: Rear / 9G-Tronic
Power: 120 kW (163 HP)
Torque: 380 Nm
0 – 100 km/h: 10.7 s
V. max: 193 km/h
Consumption: 7.1 l 100 km
Length / width / height: 4.90 / 1.93 / 1.90
Empty weight / permitted: 2,192 / 908 kg
Towing capacity: 2,000 kg
Trunk: 610 – 4,200 l
Price: 57,482 euros
Our conclusion on the new V-Class from Mercedes-Benz
Wherever it says Mercedes on it, there is Mercedes in it. Now also for the V-Class vans. The price is also hot. With a large diesel, AMG line and air suspension, we broke the 100,000 euro barrier in the configurator. A lot of money for a lot of car. Basically S-Class in the V-Class. Mercedes almost classless.
Rudolf Bögel