Mercedes-Benz V-Class 2020 update revealed

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a substantially upgraded version of its V-Class people mover with a refreshed exterior design, interior updates, enhanced standard safety tech, plus new engine and transmission options.

Scheduled for local launch in the third quarter of this year, the new V-Class features a revised front-end treatment bringing it more in line with the brand’s passenger car and SUV offerings.

The redesigned face incorporates a new grille above a deep and wide lower air intake, while ticking the AMG Line option box brings a ‘diamond’ radiator grille and a more aggressive bumper with a small lower intake flanked by wide, finned ducts on either side.

Minor tweaks at the rear include a switch to high-intensity LED tail-lights and a reprofiled bumper in the AMG Line package incorporating a central ‘diffuser’ section. Four new exterior colour choices are joined by four new alloy wheel designs.

Changes to the interior include new ‘double stripe’ trim elements, ‘turbine look’ air vents and an additional ‘tartufo’ (rich tan) leather option.

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S-Class limousine-style luxury rear seats with full recline function, back massage, and three ‘climatisation’ stages will be optionally available.

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While the current generation is offered with a 140kW/440Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four and a seven-speed automatic transmission...

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... the new MY20 V-Class sees the arrival of the V 300d model powered by a 176kW/500Nm 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel and a nine-speed ‘9G-Tronic’ auto.

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Changes to the interior include new ‘double stripe’ trim elements, ‘turbine look’ air vents and an additional ‘tartufo’ (rich tan) leather option.

S-Class limousine-style luxury rear seats with full recline function, back massage (with three intensity settings) and three ‘climatisation’ stages will be optionally available.

Currently offered with a 140kW/440Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission, the MY20 V-Class sees the arrival of a new flagship V 300d model powered by a 176kW/500Nm 2.0-litre (OM 654) four cylinder turbo-diesel matched with a nine-speed ‘9G-Tronic’ auto.

Claimed combined cycle fuel economy drops from 6.3L/100km to 5.9L/100 with CO2 emission falling from 166g/km to 154g/km.

Ticking the AMG Line (pictured) option box brings a ‘diamond’ radiator grille and a more aggressive bumper.

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High-intensity LED tail-lights and a reprofiled bumper in the AMG Line (pictured) package incorporates a central ‘diffuser’ section.

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Safety improvements include the addition of AEB and an active high beam system.

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The V-Class is primarily aimed at being either a luxury people mover for private use...

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..or for high-end business transport for professional drivers.

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Safety improvements include the addition of ‘Active Brake Assist’ (Merc-speak for AEB), and ‘Highbeam Assist Plus’ the three-pointed star’s active high beam system.

Functioning as a luxury people mover for private use or high-end business transport for professional drivers, the V-Class recorded 569 sales nationally in 2018, with worldwide sales now exceeding 200,000 since the model’s global launch in 2014.

Although final price and specification for Australia is yet to be finalised, for reference the current V-Class ranges from $74,990 (before on-road costs) for the V 220d, to $87,200 for the V 250d Avantgarde.

Is this upgraded V-Class your idea of first-class family travel? Tell us what you think in the comments below.