Whether you've seen someone drop off a wealthy businessman at the airport or hit the red carpet to unload celebrities, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class has long been the vehicle of choice for transporting multiple people in the lap of luxury.
While previous generations have shared much with the commercial Vito, the V-Class has always looked to the opulent S-Class for inspiration rather than simply reskinning a work van.
Now there's a new model in town and it runs solely on batteries and electric motors. Mercedes thinks it's so classy that the company doesn't refer to it as a van or even a minivan, but rather repeats the phrase. Great limousine in their promotional materials.
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It rides on an all-new platform and features a massive 115 kWh NMC battery on launch models, offering over 400 miles on the official WLTP cycle.
Also inside is Mercedes-Benz's latest infotainment system and a host of derivative models ranging from the most everyday to arguably the last word in automotive luxury.
Built for big miles
Despite its inherent everyday practicalities, the van and commercial vehicle market has been relatively slow to embrace electrification.
So far, there have been a few models with the kind of electric range that's fine for last-mile delivery solutions, but gets a bit annoying when you really want to cover a significant distance.
VW's ID Buzz is probably the big Merc's closest rival (if you discount the electric Transporter), but it doesn't feel as spacious or as lavishly appointed inside. You also have the Kia PV5, which has been very well received, but also lacks the premium finish.
Additionally, you'll struggle to achieve any sort of realistic electric range on a road trip with VW and Kia's offerings, and the real-world figure is around 200-250 miles before plugging in is necessary.
The slightly less powerful single-motor VLE 300 can travel 435 miles between charging stops thanks to the presence of the larger 115 kWh battery pack.
The slightly less powerful single-motor VLE 300 can go 435 miles between charging stops thanks to the presence of the CLA's larger 115 kWh battery pack and efficiency learnings.
Of course, this is a much larger, brick-shaped object to push through the air, but Mercedes has rounded as many edges as possible and allowed the air suspension to drop 40mm at high speeds in search of aerodynamic performance.
Drive sensibly and I'm sure it won't be too difficult to get close to those impressive claimed range figures.
Combine this with ultra-fast maximum charging speeds of 300 kW and you have a vehicle designed to travel long distances on a regular basis. And boy, will the occupants be nice and comfortable.
The VLE measures more than 5.3 meters long and is almost as wide as it is tall, offering plenty of interior head, leg and shoulder room. Seating options range from five to eight, and most of them can be configured exactly how you want, that is, depending on the version…
Decision fatigue
Offering lots of options is usually never a bad thing, but here, equipment levels drastically alter the feel of the VLE's interior.
Browsing the Mercedes VLE range isn't as relaxing as traveling inside one, as you can choose between the aforementioned VLE 300 or the more powerful twin-motor VLE 400 4Matic, which produces 400bhp for a 0-62mph time of 6.5 seconds.
If we add to that the options of an AMG Line, AMG Line Plus, Exclusive, Premium or Premium Plus vehicle, it starts to get a little exhausting. Offering lots of options is usually never a bad thing, but here, equipment levels drastically alter the feel of the VLE's interior.
I must mention the Mercedes-AMG Monobloc style alloy wheels that were fitted to several test cars, as they were pure class.
But to me, the more basic models make more sense, as they include the absolutely gorgeous Roll & Go seats. Here, all the rear seats slide on rails built into the floor and can be removed easily, albeit with a bit of force, as they weigh 27kg each.
As someone who uses a van as a daily vehicle, the design of these seats is great. Once off the vehicle, they roll on a set of wheels, making storage much easier.
I think many manufacturers underestimate how many owners buy a van for its versatility.
One minute they want to transport six naughty kids to a birthday party and the next they need room for mountain bikes or surfboards. You can do all that on a basic VLE.
Up the range and things start to get less practical and more luxurious, with huge leather thrones and even a full cinema setup available that sees a 31.3-inch 8K widescreen display deployed from the main roof.
Press a button via one of the remote controls in the rear and the privacy curtains on the side windows automatically raise and the sunshades block any light coming in from the large rear window.
Front passengers are also spoiled in the digital department, with Mercedes' latest massive MBUX superscreen capable of spanning the entire width of the dashboard if desired.
Even the center console can be customized, with the option to have wireless charging pads for smartphones or a cavernous storage area that can keep drinks cold or even warm up a cupcake.
Walks on a cloud
Even the center console can be customized, with the option to have wireless charging pads for smartphones or a cavernous storage area that can keep drinks cold or even warm up a cupcake.
Not literally, but all models feature the German brand's excellent air suspension, which does a fantastic job of controlling mass, masking body roll (to some extent) and, most importantly, absorbing road imperfections.
Take it into corners and dynamically it starts to peel away, but this is not a vehicle designed for that, even if the 400bhp on offer from the VLE feels spirited enough to justify a bit of exuberant driving.
Instead, it is wonderfully quiet, refined and comfortable to drive in all environments. Rear-wheel steering even shrinks the 5.3-metre-long vehicle enough to navigate narrow inner-city roads. Mercedes engineers say you can make a U-turn the width of a tennis court, which isn't bad considering the gigantic footprint.
As you'd expect from the S-Class of the MPV world, there are countless sound system options and test cars fitted with the Burmester setup were hugely impressive, filling the spacious interior with huge, perfectly defined audio.
Being an electric vehicle, there is nothing to prevent engine noise from seeping into the cabin, while wind and tire roar are almost non-existent. This is one of the most serene truck experiences you're likely to have if, like me, you drive something much more agricultural on a daily basis.
Excellent driving, fantastic range, fast charging, a buttery smooth ride and truly practical interiors – there's very little to criticize here… apart from the price.
Mercedes-Benz is yet to reveal official pricing, but the VLE is estimated to start at around £75,000 in the UK (around $100,000 / AU$144,000), which is to be expected, given the size of the battery and the amount of technology available.
Expect those numbers to rise quickly if you want your commute to resemble Emirates Airlines' First Class cabins, although a smaller version with an 80 kWh LFP battery arriving next year should bring with it a more “basic” Grand Limousine for the masses.
Let's hope so, because with this and Kia's impressive PV5 at the other end of the spectrum, people like me who like that #lifeenvan We will finally have some choice when the time comes to abandon fossil fuels.
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