New trademark filings suggest incoming VLE and VLS models from the luxury brand.
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to expand its range of vans, aiming at the luxury segment. According to two trademark filings discovered by CarMoses, the German luxury marque wants to launch vans with the VLE and VLS badges. Currently, only one model uses the V designation, the standard V-Class, but with VLE and VLS, Mercedes will expand into new territory. It’s likely the current V-Class would be rebadged as one of these, likely as the VLE.
We enjoyed our time with the V-Class in V300d trim, but its humble work van origins are impossible to hide, making it doubtful Mercedes would give it an S suffix – indicative of its most luxurious line of vehicles.
But what about the VLS then? We’ve seen a growing demand for luxury minivans in Asia where Volvo has launched the EM90 for the Chinese market and the Lexus LM is a mobile office decked out in luxury accoutrements. A Mercedes-Benz VLS is likely to aim squarely at these models, with China being a key market for a model like this. Expect a longer wheelbase, luxurious finishes, and features like reclining, massaging rear seats, fold-out tray tables, and rear-seat entertainment screens to cater to the wealthy.
Trademarks are no guarantee that a name will be used, but they’re often a strong indication, especially when they’ve not been used elsewhere and are for names not associated with other brands. With Mercedes deciding electric models will now adopt the same names (and styling) as their combustion counterparts, we may yet see the VLE and VLS being revealed with electric powertrains. Time will tell.
