The electric Mercedes VLE is here, and it wants a fight with the VW ID Buzz

The Mercedes EQV is dead. And yet, unless you run a posh airport taxi business in a part of the world that really doesn’t like diesel, that statement is hardly going to make much of an impact.

Perhaps you will care about the EQV’s replacement though, because Mercedes itself describes this new VLE as a “grand limousine” that wants to be a family MPV, a “flexible vehicle for leisure-active customers” and an executive shuttle all at the same time.

So, what is it? Well, the VLE is the first vehicle to be built on Merc’s new VAN.EA platform that’ll go on to underpin a number of different electric commercial vehicles. This one gets up to eight seats inside... and a face that even the most tender mother would struggle to love.

It arrives in standard wheelbase form (a longer one will follow) with VLE 300 badging, which essentially means it gets a single motor driving the front wheels with 272bhp. That’s backed up by a massive 115kWh NMC battery which should give a mighty range of more than 435 miles. A VLE 400 4MATIC will be launched shortly after with a second, rear-mounted motor providing all-wheel drive and more than 400bhp. Crikey.

Later down the line we’ll also see entry-level variants with smaller 80kWh LFP batteries.

The VLE 300’s 800-volt system also means rapid charging at 300kW, so find a hose big enough and you’ll get 221 miles back in just 15 minutes. A slippery drag coefficient of just 0.25 contributes to the overall efficiency, and there’s air suspension that can adjust its ride height by 40mm. In fact, Merc has really thrown the kitchen sink at the VLE, so there’s also optional rear-wheel steering that reduces the turning circle to just 10.9 metres.

Alongside that grille, the exterior includes star-shaped daytime running lights and a rear end that bears a fairly strong resemblance to the Hyundai Staria. You get a neat split tailgate back there though, while down the sides there are two electric sliding doors with proper retractable windows.

Behind those sliding doors you can have a number of different seating arrangements in the back. Heck, there are three different types of individual seat. Those are the Comfort Seat (manual), Premium Comfort Seat (electric) and Grand Comfort Seat, with the latter incorporating wireless phone charging, lumbar support, calf support, a massage function and an extra pillow. Lovely.

Apparently the manually adjustable seats feature four integrated wheels to make them easier to move back and forth (or remove entirely), while the electrically adjustable ones can be moved using the usual seat control buttons in the side panels, the infotainment system, or the Mercedes-Benz app. Yep, there really is an app for everything these days. Of course, you can also just keep things simple and have two benches back there for maximum people-carrying ability.

Rear passengers also get the joy of a giant 31.3in panoramic screen that folds down from the headliner and can be used to play movies, games or to dial-in to Very Important Business Meetings. There’s even an eight-megapixel camera so that other attendees can see how business-like you look in the back of your posh Merc van. Impressive panoramic roof, too.

Up front there are many more screens. Three in fact. The MBUX Superscreen setup provides the driver with a 10.25in dial display and a 14in infotainment screen, and there’s also the option of a matching 14in passenger screen for even more movie watching on the move.

A head-up display with augmented reality navigation is another optional extra, and Merc is now using Google Maps for its inbuilt nav experience. There’s also the choice of three different centre consoles depending on your needs, and boot space is up to 795 litres with three rows of seating in place.

Of course, like with all Mercs there’s a dizzying array of trim levels and optional equipment packs, plus wheels that range from 19in to 22in. We’re absolutely loving those monoblocks on the beige car up above.

There’s also the option of semi-autonomous steering for motorway use and a Lane Change Assist that only requires the driver to flick the indicator before the car takes over and performs the manoeuvre.

So, is the VLE a game changer for posh vans, or would you still rather have a Lexus LM? Answers in the comments below, please.