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Specialising in road testing the latest cars, Ted is also quite the newshound, always investigating the latest industry topics and digging out new stories at any opportunity.u00A0u00A0nTed has been a car enthusiast since the start, almost inevitable growing up with a rallying-obsessed family and being ferried around in the back seat of various Subaru Imprezas u2013 the perfect family car, obviously. As a child, Ted has an enviable collection of toy cars, and it was always obvious that he would channel a career linked to cars in one way or another.u00A0u00A0nAfter completing his A-levels, Ted started an NCTJ-accredited apprenticeship in journalism with automotive news agency Blackball Media. Thrown into the deep end from the start, he would soon be on the phone to press offices, submitting freedom of information requests and covering new car launches at the age of 20.u00A0u00A0u00A0nTed worked his way up to staff writer at Blackball Media, in a varied role that would cover news, features and a growing focus on new car reviews, writing the latest first drives on everything from the new Dacia Sandero to Lamborghinis, and honing his skills to review and report on the latest cars. He joined CAR and Parkers in February 2024.u00A0u00A0nOutside of working hours, Ted is usually browsing car auctions and classifies in search of a bargain (often unsuccessfully), and currently owns a Mk1 Audi TT Quattro Sport and Renault Clio 182 Trophy. Heu2019s also an avid and perfectionist car valeter and detailer u2013 yes, one of those bores that lectures you about the two-bucket method. Away from cars he loves travelling the world and is also a keen golfer and mountain biker.u00A0nOn social media, you can follow Ted on his personal Instagram account or one dedicated to cars, while heu2019s also on X, formerly Twitter, usually moaning about how much his cars have cost him. You can read Tedu2019s latest articles below.”,”image”:{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”url”:”https://car-assets.bauersecure.com/wp-images/179402/ted_welford.jpg”,”caption”:”Ted Welford”},”sameAs”:”https://x.com/TedWelford”,”url”:”https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/author/ted-welford/”,”email”:”ted.welford@bauermedia.co.uk”,”jobTitle”:”New Cars Editor”,”knowsAbout”:”Automotive”,”worksFor”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”CAR”}}],”dateModified”:”2026-02-19T09:44:22+00:00″,”datePublished”:”2026-02-19T07:35:29+00:00″,”headline”:”Mercedesu0027 new van-based large MPV has a smaller turning circle than a VW Golf”,”publisher”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”Bauer Media”,”brand”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”Car Magazine”},”logo”:{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”url”:”https://car-assets.bauersecure.com/images/logos/car.200×88.png”}}}

Mercedes’ new van-based large MPV has a smaller turning circle than a VW Golf

By Graham King and Ted Welford

Updated: Today 09:44

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  Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, viewed from the front left corner while driving along a motorway

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  Image of the Mercedes VLE on charge, viewed at a low angle from the front right corner

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  Image of the Mercedes Vision V concept car, in a studio, viewed from the front right corner, with the rear door open

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  Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, static, viewed from the front left corner with Alpine mountains in the background

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► Mercedes teases posh new VLE MPV
► Four-wheel steering available
► And it’ll have a massive battery

Mercedes has announced new details about its posh new MPV, the VLE, including that it will be available with four-wheel steering, making it one of the first van-based models to get the innovation.

The VLE is the replacement for the EQV and V-Class, the long-respected choice for celebrities looking to sneak around under the radar and for posh airport transfers, with Mercedes borrowing lots of tech from its passenger cars for this new van-based people carrier.

One of the top innovations is its rear-axle steering, with the back wheels able to turn by seven degrees. It reduces the kerb-to-kerb turning circle to 10.9m, matching that of a Mercedes CLA and smaller than a Volkswagen Golf. A more direct steering ratio on the front axle also means fewer steering wheel turns for manoeuvres – something we’ve been able to put to the test by driving a prototype VLE around a car park. It’s impressive, squeezing in gaps where you’d never expect something of this size to be able to go.

It’s the latest development in the build up to the VLE’s reveal next month, and Mercedes has really been putting it through its paces.

Last year it demonstrated the VLE’s impressive electric range and charging speeds by driving across the Alps from Stuttgart to Rome. Nothing particularly unusual in that when there’s a prototype to validate. But what’s notable here is Mercedes’ claim that the journey was completed with just two 15-minute charging stops.

To save you looking at Google Maps, it’s 1090km (677 miles) from Stuttgart to Rome, with long stretches of motorways and mountain passes. Mercedes produces some of the longest-range EVs on the market, the top-grade EQS having a WLTP range of up to 481 miles.

The results of this test suggest the VLE will have best-in-sector range by some margin – the current Mercedes EQV manages 222 miles, the Ford E-Tourneo Custom runs out at 190 miles. Mercedes has also now confirmed the electric VLE will be equipped with a huge 115kWh battery, which we expect to give it a range of around 400 miles based on the German firm’s push to make considerably more efficient EVs in recent years.

The VLE is based on Mercedes’ modular Van Architecture electric platform and there will be two MPVs spun off from it, which Mercedes has dubbed Grand Limousines. The VLE seen here is the more everyday option with seats for up to eight people, aimed at families and airport shuttle services. There will also be the VLS, an ultra-luxe version that will probably be mostly used by VIPs who prefer getting into the back of a vehicle through sliding doors.

Undisguised, the VLE/VLS will likely look like a toned-down version of the Vision V concept (pictured above) that was unveiled in April 2025. The images of the prototype suggest its front end is a similar shape, but the sides appear less rounded. We haven’t seen any images of the VLE’s interior yet, but will update this story as we know more.