car news

New strategy

Mercedes-Benz Vans has made its midsize commercial vehicle line – which includes the EQV, V-Class, eVito and Vito – even more attractive for private and professional use. To meet the different wants and needs of private and business customers, Mercedes-Benz Vans is increasingly adopting a differentiated strategic approach. The new luxury strategy is also applied to the privately oriented commercial vehicles – including the EQV and V-Class – in the same way as for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. At the same time, the company is pursuing a targeted premium strategy for its commercial vehicles – including for the eVito and Vito.

Van Electric Architecture, abbreviated VAN.EA

The goal is to fully implement this strategic change in direction with the introduction of the upcoming modular Van Electric Architecture, abbreviated VAN.EA, which will be introduced starting in 2026. The new mid-size commercial vehicles are an important intermediate step on the way to that goal. In both private and business model ranges, the share of electric commercial vehicles should exceed 50 percent of the total range by 2030.

The new VAN.EA vehicle architecture is being developed specifically for the application of all-electric powertrains and will be introduced starting in 2026. In the future, all new medium and large commercial vehicles will also be based on this platform. The introduction of VAN.EA is also an important milestone on the road to a CO2-neutral new vehicle fleet from 2039 to achieve one of the key transformation goals in Mercedes-Benz AG’s sustainable business strategy.

Electric models

Mercedes-Benz Vans already offers an electric version of each model. The brand has already sold more than 40,000 all-electric commercial vehicles to date. The best-selling model is the eVito.

From families and adventurers to VIPs and CEOs

With the EQV, V-Class, eVito and Vito models, the spectrum of users ranges from families and adventurers to VIPs and CEOs. These vehicles are in demand not only in Europe, but especially in the Asian market. Several equipment lines are available: for the EQV the Avantgarde line and the V-Class is available in as many as four variants: as a base version and in the Style, Avantgarde or extra luxurious Exclusive equipment lines. Optional design packages are also available, such as the AMG Line and Night package for the V-Class and the exterior and interior design package for the EQV.

On the other hand the model range includes the Vito and eVito commercial vehicles in Tourer, panel van and double cab variants. These are aimed at business users – from sole traders to fleet operators. Vito models can be tailored to individual needs using the Base, Pro and Select equipment lines.

Exterior design modifications

The evolved design gives the EQV and V-Class, the eVito and Vito, a more distinctive look. The new front end design features a grille in different shapes and a redesigned bumper. Depending on the equipment, the grille of the EQV and V-Class is surrounded by a new LED light strip. For the first time, the top trim V-Class Exclusive also has an upright Mercedes star on the hood, for added status.

Adaptive Multibeam LED headlights are available as standard or optional depending on the equipment line. At the rear, the bumper and newly designed LED taillights provide a fresh look. The outline of the taillights has been darkened. Mercedes-Benz also provides new alloy wheels with an aerodynamically optimized design in 17-, 18- and 19-inch sizes and five new paint colors.

Interior modifications

In Mercedes-Benz’s redesigned midsize commercial vehicles, the look is defined by an updated dashboard with touchscreen, new air vents and a new generation of steering wheels with capacitive hands-off recognition. For the first time, the EQV and V-Class have two 12.3-inch widescreen displays on board. The high-tech design takes the style and quality appearance of these MPVs to an even higher level. The Vito and eVito are equipped with a 10.25-inch central screen and a new dashboard with a 5.5-inch color screen. The new center console supports wireless smartphone charging at an additional cost.

Mood lighting

Other new comfort features, some of which are optional, include the Keyless start feature, a heatable steering wheel and new, dimmed rear compartment lighting for nighttime driving. In addition, the brand also installs mood lighting with 64 colors. For convenient rear access, the V-Class and EQV now also have a sliding door on the left side of the vehicle as standard. For the first time, the electric Easy-Ppack tailgate is available for the Vito Tourer and for the eVito Tourer, for convenient loading and unloading. In addition, the electric parking brake is now standard in automatic transmission versions, depending on equipment.

MBUX

With the new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system, drivers of the V-Class and EQV benefit from additional features such as music streaming, the Energizing comfort control and navigation with augmented reality. Everything is controlled on the central screen, the touch control buttons on the steering wheel or via the dialogue and voice assistant “Hey Mercedes,” which itself has been optimized.

Other benefits of the new MBUX generation include increased computing power, additional electro-specific functions and views for the EQV and eVito. Also new are the parking support functions, which are now also displayed on the central screen.

Driver assistance systems

The driver assistance systems also get an update. For example, the active brake assistant now includes the crossover function and can also warn of crossing or oncoming vehicles and dangerous overtaking maneuvers. The system can intervene in emergencies by braking and provide turning support.

The standard equipment is rich:

V-Class and EQV: Attention Assist, light assistant including rain sensor, Distronic active distance assistant, active brake assistant with intersection function, blind spot assistant, active track assistant, intelligent speed assistant and parking package

Vito and eVito: Attention Assist, light assistant including rain sensor, cruise control, active brake assistant with crossover function, blind spot assistant, track assistant, intelligent speed assistant and reversing camera

Multibeam LED headlights with high beam assist Plus

Adaptive Multibeam LED headlights with High Beam Assist Plus are available for the first time. The light units are each equipped with 84 individually adjustable LEDs that allow extremely fast and precise adjustment of the headlights to the current traffic situation. High Beam Assist Plus illuminates the road ahead without blinding other road users.

Distronic

The new driving assistance package includes the active distance assistant Distronic with route-dependent speed adaptation and automatic acceleration in traffic jams, the active steering assistant and the active speed limit assistant. The new parking package with 360-degree camera is available for convenient and quick parking. It provides 360-degree visualization of parking with camera assistance using of 3D images. The parking package includes Active Parking Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Pedestrian Emergency Braking and road assist. The parking package with 360° camera also includes an assistant for maneuvering with a trailer in combination with a tow bar and automatic transmission.