Mercedes-Benz Is Catering To The Van Lovers With Its New T-Class
Mercedes-Benz is aiming to transition into a fully electric car company by 2030, with the new portfolio including the automaker’s commercial and private customer Sprinter and Metris vans on a new platform. The company recently provided a glimpse of these future vans, Monday, (March 28), with a teaser for its all-new T-Class. More specifically a lineup of T-Class vehicles, which is likely to make its first arrival in Europe.
The car manufacturer said that the new model was meant for the premium “private small van” vehicle segment, likely meant to entice the European #vanlifers, where ownership of private vans has generally been more prevalent than it is stateside. Alternatively, the van lifestyle has recently seen a growing number of followers in North America.
The New T-Class
Mercedes-Benz claims that the T-Class, which is a new moniker, will be a “completely new model” for “active lifestyles,” with the intention of providing another entry-level model for customers of the luxury brand to have at their disposal. It’s presumptive that the company will introduce the T-Class in both internal combustion (ICE) and EV arrangements in accordance with Mercedes-Benz’s strategy when this van was introduced last year, though it will still convert to a fully electric lineup by 2030.
New VAN.EA Architecture
In July 2021, Mercedes-Benz introduced a group of its fully-electric vehicle platforms to construct its future off of, with a fully-electric version of each of vehicles set for offering by 2025. One of the three new platforms that were revealed is the VAN.EA, which is purposed to mark “a new era for purpose made electric vans and light commercial vehicles, which will contribute to emission-free transportation and cities in the future.” The automaker hasn’t announced exactly what platform that the T-Class will be on, but if they have a new architecture already made up, it’s likely that at least one version of the van will be on the VAN.EA.
Mercedes-Benz EQV
For the moment, it’s not clear the exact product mix Mercedes-Benz intends for the new T-Class, like if the case if a new gas-powered is even in the works, or if it will only be electric. The company has already revealed the all-electric EQV van in global markets, and even confirmed that the next generation of the EQV would be a part of the new family architecture, however, isn’t clear if it will rebrand under the new T-Class group, or maintain its separation as the EQV.
It’s also ambiguous if it’s being directly swapped with the Metris or Sprinter vans, which are currently on sale in the States, or if the new T-Class is just intended for Europe. The Sprinter and Metris models aim for more utilitarian and commercial customers as opposed to the deluxe demographic the T-Class says it will entice. Expect more information upon its debut later this year on Tuesday, April 28.
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