Enhanced Comfort: A Reimagined Suspension

January 29, 1886, marks the date Karl Benz applied for a patent for his three-wheeled automobile. While opinions may vary on who truly invented the automobile, this date is now officially recognized as its birth. For 125 years since, Mercedes has consistently set the benchmark for cutting-edge technology and standards across the automotive industry.

Within the Mercedes lineup, the V-Class stands alone as the only minivan with a one-box body. While minivans often lean towards family-centric designs, the V-Class has maintained its status as a premium minivan since its debut in 1998. This latest iteration features refreshed interior and exterior styling, along with significant suspension improvements.

The exterior boasts a redesigned front end, featuring newly shaped headlights that sweep upwards in line with Mercedes' latest design language, and a larger radiator grille with enhanced fins. Bi-xenon headlights are now standard (optional on the Trend model), improving visibility during nighttime driving. The rear design has been refined with updated combination lamps and surrounding window trim, creating a more three-dimensional appearance.

Left: V350 Trend, Right: V350 Ambiente Long

The V-Class's notably square form factor contributes to its exceptionally spacious interior, a key characteristic. It offers three rows of seats, comfortably accommodating seven adults. The second and third-row seats feature fore-and-aft slide and recline functions, and can be removed or configured for face-to-face seating, allowing for versatile interior arrangements. The updated V-Class introduces newly designed seats and ambient lighting that illuminates the footwells and upper cabin, adding a touch of luxury. The steering wheel has also been redesigned for more intuitive control of various switches, and a liquid crystal display for the rear climate control enhances functionality alongside the refined interior ambiance.

A significant revision to the suspension is another hallmark of this new model, engineered to deliver the premium ride quality expected of the Mercedes brand. Extensive changes have been made to the springs, dampers, transverse links, anti-roll bars, and various bearings and rubber mounts. These updates not only enhance ride comfort but also improve quietness. Concurrently, adjustments to the steering characteristics contribute to greater directional stability.

The updated V-Class retains the same 3.5-liter V6 DOHC engine as its predecessor. Employing Mercedes' traditional rear-wheel-drive layout, it produces a maximum output of 190 kW (258 hp) at 5,900 rpm and a peak torque of 340 Nm (34.7 kgm) between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission with Touchshift. Pricing starts at ¥4.49 million for the V350 Trend, ¥6.17 million for the V350 Ambiente, and ¥6.37 million for the top-tier V350 Ambiente Long, with deliveries scheduled for March.