Mercedes just dropped what they’re calling the start of a “new era” for luxury travel – and let’s just say, it’s giving first-class vibes all the way. Unveiled in serious style at the Shanghai Motor Show, their all-electric Vision V concept isn’t just a van... it’s basically a five-star suite that moves.
This futuristic people carrier is Mercedes' new take on what VIP travel should look like in the EV world, and it’s coming in 2026. Forget boring old backseats – this thing has just two massive, plane-style thrones in the back that recline like beds and are padded out with cushiony tubes that look like they were designed for Bond villains.
What’s even cooler? The “private lounge” at the back is completely cut off from the driver (sorry, Jeeves) by a 65-inch screen – yeah, you read that right. It folds away when you don’t need it but doubles as your own private cinema or a karaoke stage. Oh yeah – this thing has karaoke mode. It blasts lyrics onto the giant screen so you and your mate can belt out your favourite tracks while cruising through the city.
There’s a 42-speaker sound system, ambient lighting setups controlled by seven projectors (because why not), and switchable windows that go from see-through to totally blacked out with the tap of a button. Basically, it’s got everything you’d need for a Netflix binge or a mid-journey party.
The Vision V is built on a new electric platform (VAN.EA, if you’re into acronyms) that Mercedes is using to take on rivals like Lexus' LM and Volvo’s EM90. It’ll replace the V-Class eventually, since petrol and diesel vans are getting the axe in 2030.
Design-wise, the outside is all about that futuristic flex. There's a huge grille, an LED light bar that wraps across the front, and a square-ish light show at the rear. But let’s be real – the magic is all in the interior.
Thomas Klein, who heads up Mercedes-Benz Vans, says "The Vision V is the beginning of a new era for Mercedes-Benz Vans. It demonstrates, in the truest sense of the word, how we bring luxury to a spacious cabin and define a new segment,"
"With that, we set standards in design, comfort and an immersive user experience – while meeting the highest demands of our customers."
Up front, the driver’s area is a bit more grounded, with a classic steering wheel and Mercedes’ triple-display 'Superscreen' setup (which is also coming to the new CLA saloon). There are crystal-style air vents, and you can literally see the giant speakers through the door panels.
Now back to the good stuff – in between those two oversized rear seats, there’s a table that pops out from the centre armrest. It holds a crystal chess set (because why not), tumblers, and cocktail shakers. This is less “car” and more “rolling millionaire’s lounge.”
The giant screen isn’t just for karaoke or movies either. There’s a “Relax” mode that plays calming music with soothing visuals, a gaming mode that works with controllers, online shopping straight from the screen, and even a “Discovery” mode that uses AR and game-style graphics to show you your real-world surroundings in a super immersive way.
As for the boring-but-important bits: Mercedes hasn’t revealed the full spec sheet yet, but we do know the van runs on an 800V system and will come in front- and all-wheel-drive versions. The top model is expected to do over 311 miles on a charge.
No pricing yet, but let’s be honest – if you’re asking how much, you probably aren’t the target customer. Still, it’s exciting to see Mercedes flex this hard for the next-gen VIP crowd.
