Mercedes-Benz’s commercial vehicles division has added an extra dose of luxury to the V-Class, a mid-size van sold in an array of overseas markets that’s closely related to the work-focused Metris.
Called V-Class Exclusive, the range-topping model is designed to carry six people in the utmost luxury. Its cabin has been decked out with brushed aluminum-look trim on the center console, a leather-upholstered dashboard with contrast stitching, chromed accents around the air vents, and brushed aluminum pedals. All six captain’s chairs are upholstered with nappa leather, and the passengers benefit from a premium 16-speaker sound system manufactured by Burmester.
Mercedes has also added a new center console with a large integrated cooler and LED-illuminated cupholders that are both heated and cooled. The list of standard features includes a 230-volt outlet to keep mobile devices juiced up, numerous USB slots, navigation, a 360-degree camera that facilitates the task of maneuvering the van in tight spaces, and Mercedes’ crosswind assist technology.
The V-Class Exclusive intentionally retains a low-key appearance. It gains 19-inch alloy wheels, discreet “Exclusive” emblems on both fenders, a sport suspension that slightly lowers the ride height, and a giant panoramic sunroof that is 74.8 inches in length. Interestingly, sensors detect when the van has been parked with the sunroof wide open and automatically switch it to the “tilt” position if it begins to rain.
Technical specifications haven’t been published. The regular V-Class packs Mercedes’ ubiquitous 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine available with either 136, 163, or 190 horsepower. Buyers can choose between front- and all-wheel drive.
Already on sale in its home country of Germany, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class Exclusive carries a base price of €74,911 (over $83,000) once taxes are factored in. To put that figure into perspective, the van costs a few hundred euros more than a base model GLS, Mercedes’ range-topping SUV. At the time of writing Mercedes-Benz has not announced plans to sell a similarly-equipped version of the Metris in the United States.
