Mercedes-Benz has just released their new electric VLE premium luxury large vans. The interior is notable for evening out the concentration of content: shifting value away from a driver-centric cockpit and toward a more orchestrated cabin experience for all three rows.
Interior usability, interface hierarchy, and perceived comfort have all been given a fresh start. With seating for up to eight occupants, the VLE is presented less as a traditional front-cabin product and more as a spatial system built around different passenger scenarios.
At the front, there’s an architectural, horizontal format. The dashboard can feature up to three displays beneath one broad glazed surface: a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch central screen, and a 14-inch front passenger screen.
In the rear compartment, the VLE treats passengers as primary users, not just cargo. The optional MBUX Rear Space Experience includes a retractable 31.3-inch panoramic display in 32:9 format, integrated into the headliner above the front seats. There’s 8K resolution and split-screen capability, and an integrated 8-megapixel camera enables video streaming, gaming. and conferencing from the rear cabin.
The optional Burmester 3D surround system has 22 speakers, 750 watts, and Dolby Atmos, with tuning intended for every seating row. Mercedes extends ambient lighting from the cockpit all the way to the third row and links it to the panoramic Sky View roof and its electric blind.
Five- to eight-seat configurations are available, with three newly-developed kinds of rear seat: manual Comfort, electric Comfort Premium, and electric Grand Comfort, plus three-seat rear benches available in manual or electric form.
The Grand Comfort seat adds an extra cushion, wireless charging, lumbar support with massage, and calf support. This is an offering encompassing seat architecture, kinematics, support points and the ability to adapt the cabin to different passenger needs.
As for reconfigurability, Mercedes offers two complementary systems. The manual Roll & Go setup allows seats to slide, lock, or be removed using four integrated casters. And the Remote Variable Rear Space allows the electrically-adjustable rear seats to be repositioned remotely via the infotainment system, side-panel seat controls, or the Mercedes-Benz app. Four preset configurations are offered: Luggage, Executive, People & Baggage, and Standard.
