Mercedes-Benz VLE hints at future direction of LCVs

The announcement of a new luxury limousine-cum-MPV costing around £100,000 might seem to have little relevance to the campervan market, but not only does the new model herald the introduction of class-leading tech, it comes from Mercedes-Benz’s Van division and is the first model to be based on the company’s VAN.EA platform. 

This platform will not only be the basis of future electric light commercial vehicles – the next generation of Vito and Sprinter – but it will also sire a related VAN.CA platform for electrified combustion-engine versions which are due to arrive in 2027.

Much plusher than the V-Class (basis for the current Marco Polo campervan) that it replaces, the VLE is lower and sleeker and measures 5.3m long. Launch models come with a 115kWh battery giving a claimed range of ‘more than 435 miles’, while its 800V architecture allows 150 miles of range to be added in only 10 minutes.

We’re unlikely to see the opulent interior features of the VLE in a campervan but future Vitos are expected to benefit from much of the car-like drive of the new flagship model.

Here's our guide to EV leisure vehicles