V-Class/Vito The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE

[SilverArrow_]

WOW, I love it! I’m not really a fan of vans (since I don’t need one, although I’ve always thought they were cool to drive), but this one is truly classy. Mercedes says it’s opening a new segment called a “grand limousine,” but that segment has actually existed in China and Japan for several years. Top CEOs there have long been riding in top-spec, special, smaller and lower “vans” — like the Lexus LM, BYD M9, Xpeng X9, Denza D9, and similar models.


Still, it’s nice that Mercedes has made its own version — it will certainly help them increase their market share in China (if the quality is a bit better than it has been lately)… but will it really? The price for a fully equipped one will be around €135,000. I’d rather not say how much the Chinese ones I mentioned earlier cost — especially since they often come with even crazier equipment…

 

[Merc1]

I like it. VLE 400 should be the entry in the U.S. A VLE 500 I6 hybrid will be one to have if it happens.

M

 

[Merc1]

That lighting around the two end air vents is terrible. My goodness.

M

 

[Swissbob]

I like it as much as I can like a van. The transformation from concept to production wasn’t as painful as I expected. The seem to have thought of everything interior wise. The US market should get the VLE 400 as the base model imo. 268hp VLE 300 is gonna really struggle with people and cargo on board. I hope there is an I6 version. VLE 500 would actually be a complete product.

M

A VLE500 ICE is a car I’d immediately order.

 

[leylandi]

 

[Merc1]

A VLE500 ICE is a car I’d immediately order.

I dont doubt it. It really be a complete car. If they get the product mix right, it has the potential to be a breakout hit here in the USA.

M

 

[leylandi]

Base

 

[leylandi]

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[leylandi]

Why is this effort absent in the S class?

 

[Uygar]

My one critique would be (again) the lazy bumper designs. It’s the same on every single model. It shouldn’t be that hard to come up with something new. The AMG-line model looks exactly like a GLC, just with different proportions.
Other than that, I think it’s a very premium looking van. I’m pleasantly surprised. I wouldn’t prefer the surfboard screen on the dash cause it looks awful but at least the rest of the interior is designed beautifully.

 

[leylandi]

The rear window can be opened completely.

 

[leylandi]

AMG line

 

[Esp5]

I'm surprised there are two grilles and both are very good, so much so that the continuous LED light above the hood goes unnoticed.

 

[Swissbob]

No airvents in the middle, is a bit stupid.

 

[leylandi]

He's discovered something stupid again. He's full of negativity whenever the topic is Mercedes.

 

[Rolf]

I was literally blown away when the VLE drove onto the stage in the Mercedes Introduction video, which featured the lovely Rita Ora singing some of her hit songs.

The velvet brown with classic grill and those mono block wheels looks absolutely fabulous. It looks quite futuristic and a bit like a concept car, very elegant and sleek for a van.

The full exclusive edition has fantastic seats, that are huge and probably more comfortable than the best 1st class airline seats.

The interior looks great and in my honest opinion it looks more comfortable than the S class. Mercedes did a better job of this VLE interior than the FL S Class. Imagine what the VLS interior is going to be like, probably will have a larger screen and higher spec seat materials.

The only slight disappointment is the power outputs of both VLE300 and 400 are on the low side for a 3tom vehicle. They should have made the 300 model have at least 250kw (340PS) and the 400 model 350kw (476PS). The VLE300 is a snail only doing 9.5sec to 100kmh. Not acceptable in such an expensive luxury van.

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[Matski]

@leylandi @Esp5

Neither of you have any credibility in this situation, you will not make this about either of you, or you will both be thread banned. You can say how much you like it, or don't like it etc., but everyone's sick of the needless back and forth. Further warnings may not be given.

 

[Mr. Peanutbutter]

Some misses for me though:
Why again with the black plastic around the door handle and seat control?

The bezels on the screens look horrible. Why not give it the electric GLC screen, instead of this CLA/GLB/GLA screen setup.
Also the steering wheel is very dated now.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Why is this effort absent in the S class?

A clean-slate design Vs a late change facelift.

Goes to show what you can do when you're genuinely starting from a completely fresh base.

 

[leylandi]

Since we were faced with a car while everyone else was waiting for a van, the criticisms became more selective. These door panels aren't too noticeable for a van, but they're unacceptable for an S-Class. After seeing the cabin of this car, the BMW iX3 cabin gave me the impression of a real van.