Sound on! I have taken a new spy video of the updated Mercedes-Benz V-Class Facelift during the winter tests near the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia. The refreshed V-Class will benefit from a radically overhauled dashboard that swaps the old analogue instrument.
Mercedes-Benz V-Class Facelift Prototype Caught Winter Testing With Redesigned Interior
Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to update the popular V-Class yet again, with the most significant changes coming to the interior.
A new video from CarSpyMedia has caught several prototypes testing ahead of the reveal, which will likely occur later this year. The V-Class – known as the Metris in the United States – was designed to take over from the Viano and the R-Class and, as such, is marketed as a high-end MPV.
The first facelift happened in 2019, and Mercedes-Benz lightly revised the exterior with subtle updates. Inside, trim changes made it more luxurious, but the outdated infotainment system was undoubtedly a fly in Benz’s ointment.
This latest facelift addresses that issue, with spy shots indicating the luxury bus will receive MBUX with the modern dual-screen setup.
The larger screen setup means the fascia needed a redesign. We can already see the more modern HVAC controls peeking out beneath the camouflage, but we wonder whether the round air vents will be updated. The squared-off items in the GLS may better suit the revised dashboard design. It appears the front door cards will remain unchanged.
This is a major upgrade for the V-Class, which celebrates its 10th year of production in 2024. Hopefully, Mercedes has also improved rolling refinement and ride quality to enhance the luxury experience further and fend off competitors like the Kia Carnival and Volkswagen ID. Buzz in foreign markets.
Sadly, American customers won’t enjoy the same upgrades, as the Metris will be culled in the third quarter of 2023.
We’ve been lucky enough to experience the V-Class several times, and it fell just short of excellence. The main reasons were an outdated infotainment system and lackluster engine options. Mercedes addressed the latter issue a few years back by introducing the 300d derivative, which produces 236 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine.
That’s enough grunt for the European market, but it’s just one of the reasons the V-Class would never work in the United States. It could stand a chance if it were fitted with the updated 375-hp 3.0-liter inline-six found in the revised GLE.
Some tuners have elected to fit the luxury van with a V8 from AMG, effectively transforming it into a V63 supervan.
Of course, the price would be another issue. In some markets, a fully-loaded example can easily sell for the equivalent of $108,000.
In terms of the exterior, there’s little one can do with a boxy shape like this. That hasn’t stopped Mercedes from trying, as the prototype models spotted here sport camouflage on their front and rear fascias. We anticipate redesigned bumpers, light clusters, and a more pronounced grille.
As Mercedes is working on a facelift, we can only assume the V-Class will remain part of the automaker’s lineup, even as Stuttgart plans to cut a host of models from the range. It comes as no surprise, as the luxury MPV remains a popular choice with wealthy clients and the high-end hotel industry.
