Enter the future of travel: the Mercedes-Benz VLS is more than just a vehicle – it is a luxurious experience on four wheels that combines space, technology and prestige.
If you think you've seen everything the automotive world has to offer – think again. Mercedes-Benz opens a new chapter in the luxury vehicle segment with the VLS. This is not just a van, but a mobile experience of the future. The VLS promises not only comfort, but luxury that even some five-star hotels would envy. And no – we are not (yet) on a spaceship, although the design might convince you otherwise.
A technological marvel on wheels
The Mercedes-Benz VLS is based on the new modular electric VAN.EA platform, which enables a flexible design and increased space. The model is approximately 5.5 meters (216 inches) long, which allows for a spacious interior, while remaining agile enough for city streets – also thanks to rear-axle steering.
The biggest attraction is the variety of powertrains: in addition to the fully electric versions, there will also be a hybrid and internal combustion version. The electric version will support the 800-volt architecture, which means extremely fast charging - exactly what we need for stress-free everyday and business trips.
Interior: A real living room on the road
Step into the VLS and forget you're in a vehicle. Welcome to the living room of the future! The heart of the cabin is a massive, 65-inch screen that rises from the center console and offers a cinematic experience on the go – from a movie to a video game or even a business presentation.
Seats? More like first class on an airplane. Individual seat units can be fully reclined, and include heating, massage, and ambient lighting functions. Materials? Leather for now, but we hope that the production version will also offer an alternative without animal materials.
And let's not forget: 42 speakers with Dolby Atmos make every sound shine in its full dimension. Projectors create a visual ambience that perfectly adapts to the mood - or just hides the boring everyday life behind tinted windows with electrochromic function.
Exterior: Futuristic elegance
The VLS's exterior is straight out of a science fiction movie. An illuminated grille with illuminated Mercedes-Benz lettering, flowing light lines and digital exterior communication – including an LED display that can display the name of a hotel, an airport guest or even your dog. Yes, you have that much freedom.
The top of the vehicle is equipped with a solar roof that can generate additional energy – enough to maintain basic functions if the VLS spends the whole day in the sun. The wheels? Also up to 24 inches in size and part of a futuristic light show.
Production and availability
Mercedes-Benz will start production of the VLS model in 2026 at a renovated factory in Vitoria, Spain. The factory will be adapted to produce electric vehicles, but will also be able to assemble models with internal combustion engines. This allows the company to adapt to market demands and transition to a carbon-free future – in style.
Conclusion: A new definition of luxury on the road
Mercedes-Benz The VLS is not just a successor to the V-Class – it is a completely new vision of what luxury mobility will look like in the future. While many will compare it to the S-Class or even the Lexus LM, the VLS is not competition – it is a new category.
More spacious than a sedan, smarter than many offices, and more entertaining than many home theater systems. The price? It's likely to shock – for better or worse. But for those seeking the ultimate on-the-go experience, the VLS sets a new standard.
The question that remains is: will we perceive it as a van or a limousine? Maybe even as a luxurious mobile oasis that offers more than just transportation - it offers an experience.
