EHV braved the chilly to learn the way Mercedes-Benz’s are using its new VAN.EA platform to place house between luxurious high-end vans for personal use, and people for business functions
The remark about “one winter of testing” piques my curiosity when speaking to Mercedes-Benz’s engineers in Arjeplog, Sweden. For so long as I’ve spoken to Mercedes-Benz engineers, spending two winters of testing on a single automobile previous to its manufacturing has been one thing of a ceremony of passage for them. The generally -30 circumstances right here within the Swedish automobile testing outpost, the place camouflaged pre-production take a look at automobiles and prototypes just about outnumber these of the circa 2,000 native inhabitants, are good for this gruelling testing. Nevertheless, for this testing program – particularly for Mercedes-Benz’s new VAN.EA electrical structure – these engineers gained’t be flying again to check the identical automobile subsequent yr. Whereas they’ll be again to quickly swell Arjeplog’s inhabitants once more, they’ll be testing one thing else.
As a result of it’s an accelerated take a look at program that’s being trialled with the brand new VAN.EA platform, an EV-specific platform that can underpin the substitute for Mercedes-Benz’s V-Class passenger and business Vito choices. It’s doubly fascinating, too, as not solely is that new platform exploring a brand new improvement timeline, nevertheless it’s additionally bringing components from passenger automobile division in addition to that of economic autos.
That shift is a direct results of Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to discover the enlargement of the tremendous luxurious MPV market, someplace it’s already bought a foothold in with the V-Class. However there’s recognition that nonetheless many V-Class you see in costly postcodes world wide, its business origins imply it’s unable to say the true luxurious that patrons are more and more demanding, and Mercedes-Benz desires to supply. Mercedes-Benz admits it’s eager to supply an OEM mannequin to take gross sales away from the quite a few conversion firms that take base fashions and create luxurious autos, too. Tremendous luxurious raises the concept of the corporate’s Maybach model, and whereas no person’s admitting to that presently, nor are the denials notably vociferous.
What’s plain is the affect of China, each as a possible market, in addition to for offering competitors – notably on this mannequin sphere and, notably, on the pace of BEV mannequin introductions. Europe is at present the strongest market for Mercedes-Benz’s present providing with a 60% share and it desires to retain that, and develop, however the firm additionally sees substantial progress alternative in each China, US and Canada for luxurious personal vans.
Dr Andreas Zygan, Head of Improvement at Mercedes-Benz Vans explains the brand new structure, saying: “We’ve got constructed a purpose-built BEV platform with VAN.EA, which permits us to satisfy the necessities of a purely electrical automobile.” Naturally which means the packaging of the EV battery and motors, however right here in a automobile that could possibly be carrying as many as eight individuals, security.
Icing out ICE
The necessities for improved NVH over the present mannequin are paramount, too, not least as a result of there’s no masking sound from an inside combustion engine, but in addition to convincingly fulfil that tremendous luxurious ambition on the higher finish of the mannequin spectrum. Key right here is the development, Zygan admitting that there’s much more deal with materials combine, with focused light-weight fabrication combining with high-strength steels, with the battery pack itself including to the automobile’s stiffness. A van is hard too, as a result of, as Benjamin Kaehler, Chief Engineer Vans, Mercedes-Benz, explains: “It’s a field, and then you definitely lower holes in it for the doorways, the tailgate, which impacts on its stiffness.” Countering that’s the focused use of strengthening supplies all through.
“With this new structure there are particular benefits for us as an OEM, “ explains Kaehler. “Firstly, we are able to notice a whole vary of privately used vans from sensible household bands to unique prime and variants. Secondly, we are able to design each mid-size and huge bands from gross automobile weights of three.5 tons to greater than 5 tons. And thirdly, we are able to supply each electrical autos and people with state-of-the-art combustion engines. Nonetheless, the benefit of our new and structure is that, for the primary time, we are able to realise a transparent separation between business and privately used autos, particularly in design. We’re nonetheless satisfied that the automotive future is totally electrical, and it’s our ambition to play an energetic position in shaping that.”
There’s acknowledgement – and a level of frustration – that the pace of the transition to EVs isn’t fairly as fast as initially anticipated, not less than relating to buyer adoption and acceptance. Which means this objective BEV platform has needed to be tailored to simply accept combustion engines. Mercedes-Benz is describing this as VAN.CA (Combustion Structure). Kaehler explains: “It’s true that our prospects’ necessities and market circumstances decide the pace of this transition part, so we will even offer our prospects revolutionary and extremely engaging combustion engines. However the important thing phrase is bridging.”
In concrete phrases, this implies Mercedes-Benz is getting into a brand new period with two variations of its van structure. “The variance of the van electrical structure, VAN.EA, that are uncompromisingly developed for totally electrical driving, will likely be launched in 2026,” says Kaehler, “With our second variant of the van structure, the van with combusted structure VAN.CA, ultra-modern combustion choices will comply with.”
In doing this Mercedes-Benz is actively lowering the complexity of its product portfolio, with VAN.EA and VAN.CA platforms that includes round 70% elements commonality, each capable of be produced on the identical manufacturing line, with the plain advantages for flexibility and economies of scale. That the BEV is the first focus of the event, with the combustion structure being the secondary consideration fully modifications the earlier improvement for such autos.
Freezing the information
It’s not simply the main target onto BEVs that has switched with this structure, however the testing itself. “To attain our formidable improvement targets, we reap the benefits of all alternatives supplied by digitization,” says Kaehler. As such all take a look at autos function real-time knowledge logging, which communicates with what the engineers describe because the ‘energy wall’ in a brand new VR studio. The result’s they’ll cut back real-time testing of all options and focus solely on what’s required to drive.
“Doing so has allowed us to shorten and parallelise the electrical drive timeline, and we’re talking right here of a discount of round 20%,” explains Kaehler. “With our so-called mission management centre on the van headquarters, we’re capable of optimise the information of each take a look at in actual time. This cross-functional cooperation between all departments in addition to the assist of mission management is essential. Right here, all knowledge has monitored and evaluated. Points can now be eradicated as shortly as potential and in some instances whereas driving via over the air software program updates.”
Every automobile produces round 2.4 terrabytes of knowledge per day, although there are much less prototypes constructed, they usually’re much less ‘full’. Getting within the VAN.EA take a look at automobile underlines that, with it doing with out a lot of its inside trim, Kaehler saying that they solely take a look at the drive, air flow and heating techniques, against your entire automobile: “You don’t have to construct up an entire automobile right here, we are able to do that in parallel, this new testing is creating a brand new mind-set.”
The VAN.EA exams aren’t simply pioneering a brand new potential automobile section then, however quicker, extra environment friendly means of auto improvement, which it’s clear the testing workforce engineers, and administration are very pleased with. The teachings realized will virtually actually be adopted throughout the passenger automobile line, the brand new processes and concepts, and whereas that may solely imply one winter per automobile, the proliferation of fashions, and, at present not less than, the necessity to develop combustion variations off this structure signifies that the inhabitants of Arjeplog isn’t prone to be seeing a discount any time quickly.
VAN.EA Tech
800V know-how, a BEV particular structure, front- or 4MATIC all-wheel drive with the choice of air suspension and rear-wheel steering for manoeuvrability and stability, Mercedes-Benz isn’t holding again with its new VAN.EA platform. Essentially, to penetrate the brand new upmarket section it’s aiming for, however the business autos will even profit, in driveability, agility and, due to the suspension design, load house. The engineers are remaining tight-lipped concerning the actual specs however what they do admit is the anticipated WLTP vary will likely be round 500km (round 310 miles).
Naturally, some business functions would require much less vary, and can function smaller batteries and single axle motor set-ups, however the scalable, versatile nature of the platform is designed to adapt to the numerous wants of its prospects. Certainly, Mercedes-Benz has said it’ll produce a CEP-specific model ex-factory for the Courier, Specific and Parcel providers, with this key market rising at a price of round 8% yearly.
Three modules basically exist within the platform, the entrance module comprising of the electrical powertrain and entrance axle, this being the identical in all VAN.EA variations as a part of Mercedes-Benz’s optimised commonality technique. The centre part dictates the wheelbase, this basically a battery provider, which will be fitted with differing capability batteries relying on the utilization case. The rear part comprises the rear axle, which is both unpowered, or features an electrical motor for 4Matic four-wheel drive fashions.
Just like the combustion autos the VAN.EA will likely be supplied in camper van guises alongside the passenger and luxurious fashions, with the passenger autos gaining the choice of air-sprung suspension which can supply adaptive damping and the flexibility to decrease and lift the automobile for alleviating ingress/egress. With manufacturing variations as a consequence of arrive in 2026, and this automobile having undertaken its closing, and solely, winter take a look at – in EA guise not less than – Mercedes-Benz will proceed to drip-feed information on the VAN.EA over the approaching months.
CLA and GLC BEVs testing drop-in
Whereas in Arjeplog we had the chance to drop in on the testing of Mercedes-Benz’s CLA and GLC BEVs. The manufacturing model of the CLA will likely be unveiled this Spring, with the GLC anticipated to comply with it later within the yr. The CLA is predicated on Mercedes-Benz’s MMA electrical structure, it options 800V electronics with charging potential at a price of as much as 320kW. Both entrance or 4Matic four-wheel drive, the CLA borrows closely from Mercedes-Benz’s record-breaking Imaginative and prescient EQXX, with the manufacturing CLA promising a possible vary for consumption of 12kWh/100 and a WLTP vary of over 750km. That’s with the biggest capability battery, which the engineers admit is 85kWh in capability (a smaller 58KWh battery will even be supplied). The MMA platform is both rear or all-wheel drive, with the rear motor that includes a two-speed transmission to supply the perfect in efficiency and economic system.
That completely synchronous machine compact rear motor is 200kW within the rear-drive fashions, with the 4Matic four-wheel drive variations gaining an 80kW motor on the entrance axle with a DCU disconnect for max effectivity. Key components from that EQXX features a productionised model of its multi-source warmth pump, which Mercedes-Benz claims can produce 3kW of output from simply 1kW of power, the system utilizing battery waste warmth and the ambient air for max effectivity. The battery chemistry on the bigger battery additionally differs from that on the smaller one, with the 85kWh pack that includes silicon carbide anodes to enhance power density over standard batteries by round 20%.
Aiding that effectivity is a newly developed braking system that may recoup as much as 200kW when braking, Mercedes-Benz engineers having labored tirelessly on a brand new braking system that feels extra pure than most EVs, mixing the regeneration and bodily friction brakes to minimize the vagueness so usually related to EV braking techniques, notably throughout that tough transition from regeneration to friction braking.
That know-how, in addition to the battery chemistry, two pace motor and decoupling entrance motor (on 4Matic) variations is all additionally as a consequence of function on the GLC. This new SUV BEV is a vital one for Mercedes-Benz, because the GLC is the corporate’s best-selling mannequin. On proof of our temporary drive of each, and the dedication that the engineers should them, these new BEVs may have the vary, driving dynamics and charging potential to make them extremely compelling alternate options to the present and future competitors.
