Mercedes-Benz is preparing a new generation of vans to arrive starting in 2026, and on Friday the automaker released photos of camouflaged prototypes undergoing cold-weather testing in northern Sweden.
Mercedes announced on Friday that the platform will have versions for both electric and internal-combustion powertrains, designated as Van.EA and Van.CA, respectively. While Mercedes had originally planned for all future vans to be electric, the automaker revised its strategy last year, stating that it now expects to continue selling combustion-engine vehicles well into the next decade.
The first van built on this platform will be a midsize model, likely replacing the V-Class van sold overseas. The current V-Class also serves as the foundation for the Vito commercial van—briefly sold in the U.S. as the Metris—as well as the EQV electric van.
The new van platform features a three-module design, allowing for easy adaptation to different vehicle sizes. Mercedes also stated that the platform enables greater differentiation between luxury and commercial models than before.