Mercedes-Benz Vans teases new T-Class urban van

MERCEDES-BENZ Vans could be set to enter the niche urban van market with the all-new T-Class, a vehicle the brand teased and outlined this week.

In a clever marketing play and mirroring the model range of the brand’s passenger vehicles, the T-Class will be smaller both physically and in price than the V-Class mini-bus when it hits European showrooms in 2022.

Aimed squarely at private customers rather than commercial buyers, Mercedes says the T-Class will be “tailored to the needs of families whilst also being a suitable companion for active leisure enthusiasts” at “an attractive price-value ratio”.

“With the new Mercedes-Benz T-Class, we will offer a vehicle which makes it possible for families and those with active pastimes to step into the Mercedes-Benz world,” head of Mercedes-Benz Vans Marcus Breitschwerdt said.

“These customers seek attractive and practical compact vehicles – and it is precisely these demands which the new T-Class fulfils.”

Few details have been revealed about the T-Class as yet, although Mercedes has already confirmed that it and the related Citan delivery van will be developed in conjunction with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

While we are yet to see any official images of the T-Class other than the teaser sketch above and below, Mercedes says there will be plenty of interior room on offer while dual sliding side doors will ensure maximum accessibility.

The image reveals a relatively high window line, similar to that of a Honda Odyssey and an equally high roofline with a tall glasshouse hinting at the T-Class’ touring capabilities as a mini-bus.

According to Daimler Group chief design officer Gorden Wagener, the T-Class’s new layout and design achieves “a fusion of functionality and desirability” in accordance with the brand’s design philosophy of ‘Sensual Purity’.

No details have been given on its powertrain yet although Mercedes has confirmed that an all-electric version will be offered.

In terms of a local introduction, Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and New Zealand corporate communications manager Blake Vincent said the brand was currently “assessing the suitability” of the Citan and T-Class “but no decision to launch in Australia has been made” as yet.

While Mercedes does not currently offer an urban van or mini-bus in Australia, the mid-sized V-Class underneath which the T-Class would sit had things largely its own way through the first half of 2020, occupying 50.6 per cent (210 sales) of the $60,000+ people mover segment.

If it were to be secured Down Under, the T-Class’ biggest rival would likely be the Volkswagen Multivan while the Citan would inevitably lock horns with the VW Caddy Van.