Mercedes-Maybach VLS: The Most Luxurious Electric Minivan Arrives in 2027
Published: 26/03/2026
Mercedes-Maybach VLS: the most luxurious electric minivan in the world arrives in 2027
A 65-inch cinema screen, 42 speakers, first-class reclining seats with footrests and pillows — all inside an electric minivan. Mercedes-Maybach has unveiled the VLS, which the brand calls an "unparalleled Grand Limousine," and it promises to redefine what luxury on wheels can look like. Production of the Maybach variant begins in 2027, with European markets — including Portugal — among the target destinations.
The Mercedes-Maybach VLS electric minivan shares its foundations with the VLE, the V-Class successor revealed in March 2026. But while the VLE targets the premium family and executive segment, the VLS climbs several levels higher. The Maybach badge pushes it into territory where not even Rolls-Royce competes.
The VAN.EA platform: 800V architecture shared with the VLE
Both models sit on VAN.EA, Mercedes' first fully electric platform for commercial vehicles and MPVs. It runs on an 800-volt architecture, enabling high-power fast charging and greater energy efficiency.
The VLE — whose specs are confirmed and serve as the reference for what the VLS will offer — packs a 115 kWh battery. Provisional WLTP range stands at 397 miles (roughly 639 km), a remarkable figure for a vehicle this size. DC fast charging peaks at 315 kW, meaning roughly 200 miles of range recovered in just 15 minutes. AC charging tops out at 22 kW.
| Specification | VLE 300 | VLE 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Power | 272 hp | 409 hp |
| 0-62 mph | 9.5 s | — |
| Towing capacity | — | 2,500 kg |
Air suspension comes standard across all variants, and rear-axle steering tightens the turning circle — a practical advantage for navigating narrow European streets.
Maybach VLS: estimated specs and what to expect
Mercedes has not yet released official specifications for the Maybach VLS. Based on the shared platform, expectations point to the same 115 kWh battery and the 409 hp all-wheel-drive system from the VLE 400. The 800V architecture and 315 kW fast charging should carry over as well.
In terms of size, the VLS will be larger than the VLE. For reference, the standard VLE measures 5,309 mm long with a 3,342 mm wheelbase; the long-wheelbase version stretches to 5,484 mm with a 3,517 mm wheelbase. The Maybach VLS will likely use exclusively the long-wheelbase platform — or go even further.
The interior previewed by the Vision V concept
The Vision V concept, shown in Shanghai in 2025, offered a glimpse of what to expect. The standout feature is a 65-inch 4K projection screen, paired with a 42-speaker audio system whose speakers rotate for an optimal soundstage.
Rear seats follow a first-class aviation layout: full recline, leg support, integrated pillows, and wireless charging. A burl walnut bulkhead separates passengers from the driver. There is also a refrigerated compartment and — a detail that sticks with you — a chessboard with crystal and silver pieces.
Not all of these features will reach production. Autocar notes that the 65-inch screen may not survive the journey from concept to final model. But the ultra-luxury two-seat rear configuration appears certain.
Mercedes-Maybach VLS: estimated price and what it means for Portugal
Let's talk numbers. The VLE 300 starts at approximately EUR 79,000 in Germany. In the UK, estimates range from GBP 68,000 to GBP 110,000. The Maybach VLS is projected to cost between USD 400,000 and USD 600,000 — placing it well above EUR 200,000.
For buyers in Portugal, electric vehicles benefit from ISV exemption (Portugal's vehicle registration tax, which can add thousands to combustion car prices) and reduced IUC (annual road tax). These incentives typically represent significant savings compared to combustion vehicles in the same price bracket. That said, this is a vehicle aimed at a very specific niche — the ultra-luxury chauffeur-driven minivan segment.
The most direct competitor available in Portugal today is the Lexus LM, which offers a similar rear-luxury experience but with a conventional powertrain. The Maybach VLS being exclusively electric could give it a considerable fiscal and environmental advantage in the Portuguese market.
When it arrives: production timeline
Mercedes has laid out a clear schedule:
- Standard VLS: production begins late 2026
- Maybach VLS: production in 2027
The full reveal may happen at Auto China (Beijing) in late April 2026. UK sales are confirmed, and since this is a European-produced model, availability in Portugal should follow without major delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
International projections place the Mercedes-Maybach VLS between USD 400,000 and USD 600,000, which translates to well over EUR 200,000. In Portugal, electric vehicles are exempt from ISV (registration tax) and benefit from reduced IUC (annual road tax), which can represent substantial savings compared to combustion vehicles in the same price bracket. For reference, the VLE 300, built on the same platform, starts at approximately EUR 79,000 in Germany.
Production of the Mercedes-Maybach VLS is scheduled for 2027, following the standard VLS which begins production in late 2026. The full reveal may take place at Auto China (Beijing) in April 2026. Since this is a European-produced model, availability in Portugal should follow shortly after the production launch.
Based on the shared VAN.EA platform with the VLE, the Maybach VLS is expected to feature a 115 kWh battery with an estimated WLTP range of approximately 397 miles (639 km). The 800V architecture supports DC fast charging at up to 315 kW, recovering roughly 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes. AC charging tops out at 22 kW.
The VLE is the premium family and executive model, starting at EUR 79,000, available in five- to eight-seat configurations. The VLS Maybach moves into the ultra-luxury segment with a first-class aviation-style two-seat rear layout, a 65-inch 4K cinema screen, a 42-speaker audio system, and burl walnut interior trim. The estimated Maybach price exceeds EUR 200,000 — more than triple the base VLE.
The Lexus LM is currently the only direct competitor available in Portugal in the luxury chauffeur-driven minivan segment. However, the Maybach VLS sets itself apart by being exclusively electric, which grants it ISV exemption and significant tax advantages in the Portuguese market. Additionally, the 800V platform, an estimated range of 397 miles, and Maybach positioning place it in a higher luxury tier than the LM.
A segment where Mercedes has no direct rival
The ultra-luxury MPV market has been growing primarily in China and Asia, where top-tier buyers prioritize interior space and rear-seat comfort above all else. Lexus pioneered this niche with the LM, but no European manufacturer had committed to the segment with this level of ambition.
Rolls-Royce does not build a minivan. Neither does Bentley. With the Maybach VLS, Mercedes occupies the top of a segment that, in Europe, has no equivalent offering. The combination of an electric limousine with Maybach prestige is a bold bet — and a calculated one.
For anyone following the luxury electric minivan market in Portugal, keep an eye on European pricing announcements and the tax conditions that could make this model more accessible than its sticker price suggests.