5 Cool Things You Need to Know About the Mercedes Vision V Concept
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The Mercedes-Benz Metris van was discontinued from the North American market in 2023, and the automaker has not hinted at a replacement until now. The Mercedes Vision V is a glimpse into the brand’s return to the van market, but in a very different way from the utilitarian Metris. This new concept vehicle features a stunning, futuristic exterior and a fully electric powertrain that elevates luxury to the highest standards.
The Vision V is just a concept car right now, but Mercedes says it is pretty close to what a new Mercedes van will look like, at least to a certain extent. Here are some of the most important details about the Mercedes Vision V concept.
1. Futuristic Design
The Vision V makes a statement that the Metris never did, with the concept being a luxury Mercedes van intended to be chauffeur-driven. The Vision V comes with 24-inch illuminated wheels and a grille with 200 separate lights, crowned by the first-ever illuminated Mercedes logo on the hood. At the rear, there is a similar showpiece, with a full 360-degree lightbar composed of over 450 separate lights, making for a very distinctive design. Some aspects of the design are more likely to see production than others, most notably the front grille, which is very similar to the upcoming electric GLC. Meanwhile, the 360-degree lightbar will only be available in markets where it meets regulations, while the light-up wheels are not likely to make it to a production model.
2. Designer Captain’s Chairs
Despite the large size of the van, it only has four seats with two large captain’s chairs at the rear that look like they came from a high-end designer furniture boutique. These seats can recline to be completely flat, allowing for maximum passenger comfort. The seat design is unique, with the entire seat being made of folded white Nappa leather, creating the visual effect of the chair being composed of many smaller independent pieces. All the sections move independently and have flexible tubular cushions that allow the seats to be perfectly adjusted to the passenger’s body.
3. A 360-Degree Entertainment Experience
The Vision V is set out to keep its occupants entertained, secluded, immersed, or whatever they really want. It features 42 speakers and seven projectors to display images on the ceiling and sides. The Vision V’s crown jewel is a 65-inch TV that slides under the floor. This massive LG screen can completely separate the driver's cabin and is made of many thin, separate screens that can curve in and out of the van’s floor for storage.
Unfortunately, this striking feature will never make it to production, as it costs over $100,000 to implement. However, it allows for a truly immersive experience, with the 65-inch TV taking up the entire partition wall. Screens also extend outside the vehicle with a small digital display integrated into the outside of the van. This can be used for chauffeuring purposes, to distinguish the van as a company vehicle, or customized to display the guest's name on the screen.
4. Electrochromatic Glass
The Vision V prioritizes privacy. While electrochromatic glass is usually reserved for sunroofs, in this case, it has been used on the windows on the sides of the van. This lets passengers choose between scenery or seclusion within seconds, allowing occupants to take meetings, relax, or enjoy the TV without external disturbances, giving passengers the option of complete isolation. This glass is also used as the partition between the driver’s cockpit and passenger cabin, allowing for passengers to be completely secluded if so desired.
5. Production is Sooner Than You Think
Despite the futuristic look of the Vision V, it's set to start production towards the end of 2026. Europe, Asia, and North America are target markets, and it's likely a production version of the Vision V will be seen on the road in the next few years. While the Vision V shows off an ultra-luxury, first-class experience, the production van will be available for both commercial and civilian uses. Models will range from cargo vans to chauffeur-driven limousines, with more luxurious family vehicles fitting somewhere in between.
Many features seen in this concept will not make it to a production model. The massive TV, floor-to-ceiling white leather, and illuminated wheels likely won’t be seen on an assembly line anytime soon. On a positive note, Mercedes says that the shape of the Vision V will remain largely the same. Similarly, the illuminated Mercedes grille has already made an appearance on the upcoming GLC EV, while some of the lighting fixtures have been featured on upscale Mercedes and Maybach models. The cabin is also very reminiscent of current Mercedes-Benz models, from the steering wheel to the interior screens.