Mercedes-Benz is set to revolutionize premium personal transportation with its Vision V concept, a preview of a new era for high-end vans arriving in 2026 alongside the Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA). This strategic move positions Mercedes-Benz Vans to expand its range from practical family vehicles to exclusive VIP shuttles, culminating in the Vision V – a spacious and opulent “Private Lounge” designed for ultimate comfort and exclusivity.
The Vision V show car offers a tangible glimpse into this elevated vision, seamlessly blending generous interior space with high-end exclusivity and an immersive digital environment. Conceived as a luxurious, chauffeur-driven sanctuary, it harmoniously combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. The refined exterior design hints at its prestigious nature and powerful presence.
Thomas Klein, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, emphasizes the Vision V as “the beginning of a new era,” setting new standards in design, comfort, and user experience. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, highlights the seamless fusion of heritage and progress, transforming the iconic van into a new realm of luxury transportation.
Access to the “Private Lounge” is facilitated by a large, automatic “portal” door and an illuminated, retractable running board. Inside, a switchable glass wall offers instant privacy from the driver’s area. The spacious rear seating area features premium materials like crystal white Nappa leather and shimmering white silk, complemented by open-pore burr wood trim and polished aluminum accents. Discreetly integrated display cabinets and even a hidden chessboard in the adjustable center console add to the refined ambiance.
The first-class, electrically adjustable seats, resembling elegant lounge chairs, offer exceptional comfort and a fully flat reclining option. All-around ambient lighting, a sophisticated ceiling lamp, and a subtle cabin scent further enhance the personalized atmosphere.
The “Private Lounge” boasts a retractable 65-inch cinema screen with split-screen capability, rising from a burr wood and Nappa leather console. Passengers can observe its ascent through transparent floor slats. The high-resolution screen and a 42-speaker surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos create an immersive entertainment hub. Seven projectors integrated into the headliner and floor extend the visual experience to the side windows, creating a 360-degree digital environment with ambient lighting that synchronizes with the music. The cinema screen is controlled via the center console touchpad.
For enhanced exclusivity, the windowpanes, partition wall, and floor slats can instantly switch to opaque, offering privacy, sun protection, and the potential to display dynamic digital content.
The Vision V offers seven interactive “worlds of experience” to personalize the journey, including immersive entertainment, relaxation modes, gaming, a mobile office, virtual shopping, dynamic surroundings exploration, and mobile karaoke.
The advanced digital experience extends to the driver’s area with a panoramic Superscreen integrating three displays. The intuitive user interface provides real-time graphics, including a dynamic virtual instrument cluster and surround navigation seamlessly integrated with assistance systems.
The exterior design embodies Mercedes-Benz‘s “sensual purity” philosophy, prioritizing aerodynamic efficiency with a sophisticated aesthetic. Key elements include short overhangs, a sleek waistline, and a smooth roofline. Chrome trim and illuminated louvres visually connect tradition and innovation. The LED lighting system accentuates the vehicle’s proportions, and welcome screens on the B-pillars hint at the digital world within.
The front features a newly designed chrome radiator grille with illuminated glass louvres and approximately 190 additional illuminated louvres framing the three-pointed star headlights. A dynamic light show welcomes occupants. Sporty proportions are emphasized by powerdomes on the short bonnet, large wheel arches, and an expressive character line. The 24-inch wheels also feature illuminated louvres, and the interplay of light continues at the rear.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision V signifies a major leap in luxury van evolution, seamlessly integrating spaciousness, premium materials, cutting-edge technology, and personalized experiences. It is poised to redefine expectations and establish a new benchmark in high-end personal transportation, embodying the future of luxurious travel.