FRANKFURT: Some drivers just need a little more space than an estate or crossover can offer, and that's where minivans (or multi-purpose vehicles aka MPVs) like the Mercedes V-Class become interesting.
And for anyone thinking in environmental terms, this generously sized people carrier now also runs on battery.
Mercedes is launching its V-Class as an EQV with a long wheelbase and an only subtly tweaked design running on a 204-horsepower electric motor powered by a 90-kWh battery in the base.
Range is put at up to 418km, making this electric MPV suitable as a shuttler for day trips, as well as a plus-sized city runabout for lugging cargo around all day long.
The standard version of the van reaches a maximum speed of 140kph, but you can pay Mercedes extra for the EQV to run at speeds up to 160kph.
The EQV is equipped as standard with a water-cooled AC-on-board charger with an output of 11 kW, meaning it can be plugged in both at home and at public charging points.
Thanks to a CCS charging socket in the front left bumper, charging is also possible using DC, so that the batteries can be filled from 10 to 80 per cent within 45 minutes at rapid charging stations.
Despite coming with a large battery built into the car floor, the V-Class still has a spacious interior, Mercedes says, and the seats can still be pushed back and forth and folded down for extra cargo space.
The new electric MPV costs €71,388 (RM345,000) in Europe.
