{"id":1779694,"date":"2026-02-19T07:35:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T04:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1779694"},"modified":"2026-02-19T07:35:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T04:35:29","slug":"mercedes-new-van-based-large-mpv-has-a-smaller-turning-circle-than-a-vw-golf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1779694","title":{"rendered":"Mercedes&#8217; new van-based large MPV has a smaller turning circle than a VW Golf"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"articleItem\">\n<p>    {&#8220;@context&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,&#8221;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Article&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;mainEntityOfPage&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;WebPage&#8221;,&#8221;@id&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/vle\/&#8221;},&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/vle\/&#8221;,&#8221;author&#8221;:[{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Person&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Graham King&#8221;,&#8221;description&#8221;:&#8221;Graham King is Senior Staff Writer for our sister site, Parkers. He also contributes news, reviews and features to CAR. Heu2019s worked as a motoring writer since 2011, starting his career whilst doing a journalism degree. He ran a blog dedicated to cars and dabbled with print, video and audio. He even managed to get himself onto some of the big industry events.nEven before graduating, Graham landed a job with the now-defunct Only Motors before moving on a couple of years later to Motor1. In that time, he wrote millions of words on just about every motoring-related topic under the sun. Including a lot about Pokemon Go, weirdly.nAfter a few years earning a crust as a bus driver (for the second time) and working on personal projects, Graham picked up a freelancing gig with carwow that led to a full-time role at Drover, then transferred when the company was bought out by Cazoo. Redundancy and a period of freelancing for Motoring Research, among others, brought Graham to Bauer in 2023.nCareer highlights so far include taking a Mercedes Sprinter 4u00D74 van around the Millbrook off-road course, getting air in a Rolls-Royce Phantom (again at Millbrook) and sitting beside touring car legend Matt Neal as he did astonishing things with a Honda Civic Type R.nWhen heu2019s not furiously tapping away at his keyboard, Graham can usually be found with his head in a car (or truck or bus) magazine. He also collects model cars and brochures, builds Lego, plays drums and volunteers with his local Scout group.nYou can follow Graham on his X page, and you can find a list of his articles at the bottom of this page.&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;ImageObject&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/165571\/graham_king_new.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;caption&#8221;:&#8221;Graham King&#8221;},&#8221;sameAs&#8221;:[&#8220;https:\/\/linkedin.com\/in\/graham-king-79940765&#8243;,&#8221;https:\/\/x.com\/HeadBoltz&#8221;],&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/graham-king\/&#8221;,&#8221;alumniOf&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;EducationalOrganization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;University for the Creative Arts&#8221;},&#8221;email&#8221;:&#8221;graham.king@bauermedia.co.uk&#8221;,&#8221;jobTitle&#8221;:&#8221;Senior Staff Writer&#8221;,&#8221;knowsAbout&#8221;:&#8221;Motoring,Car ownership,Car buying,Car news,Car culture&#8221;,&#8221;worksFor&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;CAR magazine&#8221;}},{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Person&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Ted Welford&#8221;,&#8221;description&#8221;:&#8221;Ted Welford is a senior staff writer on the Bauer automotive hub, working across CAR and our sister website Parkers. 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.&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;ImageObject&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/179402\/ted_welford.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;caption&#8221;:&#8221;Ted Welford&#8221;},&#8221;sameAs&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/x.com\/TedWelford&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/ted-welford\/&#8221;,&#8221;email&#8221;:&#8221;ted.welford@bauermedia.co.uk&#8221;,&#8221;jobTitle&#8221;:&#8221;New Cars Editor&#8221;,&#8221;knowsAbout&#8221;:&#8221;Automotive&#8221;,&#8221;worksFor&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;CAR&#8221;}}],&#8221;dateModified&#8221;:&#8221;2026-02-19T09:44:22+00:00&#8243;,&#8221;datePublished&#8221;:&#8221;2026-02-19T07:35:29+00:00&#8243;,&#8221;headline&#8221;:&#8221;Mercedesu0027 new van-based large MPV has a smaller turning circle than a VW Golf&#8221;,&#8221;publisher&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Bauer Media&#8221;,&#8221;brand&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Car Magazine&#8221;},&#8221;logo&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;ImageObject&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/logos\/car.200&#215;88.png&#8221;}}}<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column xlarge-10 xlarge-push-2\">\n<header>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<h1 class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMercedes&#8217; new van-based large MPV has a smaller turning circle than a VW Golf<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<div class=\"hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"compact-author-info\">\n\tBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/graham-king\/\">Graham King<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/ted-welford\/\">Ted Welford<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"dates\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUpdated: Today 09:44<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"cms-content\">\n<div class=\"in-page-gallery full-width thumbnails-bullets\">\n<ul class=\"carousel\" data-orbit=\"true\" data-options=\"bullets: true; resume_on_mouseout: false; timer: false; variable_height: true; slide_number: false\">\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Mercedes' new van-based large MPV has a smaller turning circle than a VW Golf\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x270\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/720x405\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1056x594\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, viewed from the front left corner while driving along a motorway\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x270\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/720x405\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1056x594\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, viewed from the front left corner while driving along a motorway<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/052-mercedes-vle-on-charge.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Image of the Mercedes VLE on charge, viewed at a low angle from the front right corner\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x270\/052-mercedes-vle-on-charge.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/720x405\/052-mercedes-vle-on-charge.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1056x594\/052-mercedes-vle-on-charge.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Image of the Mercedes VLE on charge, viewed at a low angle from the front right corner<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Image of the Mercedes Vision V concept car, in a studio, viewed from the front right corner, with the rear door open\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x270\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/720x405\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1056x594\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Image of the Mercedes Vision V concept car, in a studio, viewed from the front right corner, with the rear door open<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/100-mercedes-vle-prototype-front-left-corner.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, static, viewed from the front left corner with Alpine mountains in the background\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x270\/100-mercedes-vle-prototype-front-left-corner.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/720x405\/100-mercedes-vle-prototype-front-left-corner.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1056x594\/100-mercedes-vle-prototype-front-left-corner.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, static, viewed from the front left corner with Alpine mountains in the background<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleContent\">\n<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/\" title=\"View all Mercedes-Benz  Reviews\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"info-link\"> View all Mercedes-Benz  Reviews<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"bold-links\">\n<p><strong>\u25ba Mercedes teases posh new VLE MPV<\/strong><br \/><strong>\u25ba Four-wheel steering available<\/strong><br \/><strong>\u25ba And it\u2019ll have a massive battery<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The VLE is the replacement for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=carmagazine+eqv&amp;client=safari&amp;hs=H1hU&amp;sca_esv=babc3dbce6714cb9&amp;rls=en&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n7BoXB9BbE1QSwUC0aSIfkceAB0MA%3A1771435188821&amp;ei=tPSVaZfwMbizhbIP3K_4wAs&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiXmrCpxuOSAxW4WUEAHdwXHrgQ4dUDCBM&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=carmagazine+eqv&amp;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiD2Nhcm1hZ2F6aW5lIGVxdjIEECMYJzIFEAAY7wUyCBAAGKIEGIkFMgUQABjvBTIIEAAYogQYiQUyBRAAGO8FSPkMULoEWOsJcAF4AJABAJgBZqAB8wKqAQMzLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgSgArACwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICCRAAGIAEGAoYC8ICCxAAGIAEGJECGIoFwgIGEAAYFhgewgIIEAAYgAQYogSYAwDiAwUSATEgQIgGAZAGCJIHAzIuMqAHxRmyBwMxLjK4B6kCwgcFMi0zLjHIBxaACAA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp\">EQV<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/v-class-marco-polo\/\">V-Class<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=carmagazine+mercedes+cla&amp;client=safari&amp;hs=I1hU&amp;sca_esv=babc3dbce6714cb9&amp;rls=en&amp;sxsrf=ANbL-n7e2DMH-17zXHjFLwcaSigRplyvYQ%3A1771435207586&amp;ei=x_SVaYLBI6rShbIPprrBwAY&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjCwKmyxuOSAxUqaUEAHSZdEGgQ4dUDCBM&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=carmagazine+mercedes+cla&amp;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiGGNhcm1hZ2F6aW5lIG1lcmNlZGVzIGNsYTIEECMYJzIIEAAYgAQYogQyBRAAGO8FMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGIAEGKIESPIRUOgEWLIQcAF4AJABAJgBwwGgAbMKqgEDNi43uAEDyAEA-AEBmAIMoALZCcICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgcQABiABBgNwgIGEAAYFhgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigWYAwCIBgGQBgiSBwU2LjUuMaAHzV6yBwU1LjUuMbgH0AnCBwYwLjEuMTHIBy-ACAA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp\">Mercedes CLA<\/a> and smaller than a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/volkswagen\/golf-hatchback\/\">Volkswagen Golf<\/a>. A more direct steering ratio on the front axle also means fewer steering wheel turns for manoeuvres \u2013 something we\u2019ve been able to put to the test by driving a prototype VLE around a car park. It\u2019s impressive, squeezing in gaps where you\u2019d never expect something of this size to be able to go.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s the latest development in the build up to the VLE\u2019s reveal next month, and Mercedes has really been putting it through its paces.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x0\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg?scale=down\" alt=\"Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, viewed from the front left corner while driving along a motorway\" class=\"wp-image-224214\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x0\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/720x0\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1040x0\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>Last year it demonstrated the VLE\u2019s impressive electric range and charging speeds by driving across the Alps from Stuttgart to Rome. Nothing particularly unusual in that when there\u2019s a prototype to validate. But what\u2019s notable here is Mercedes\u2019 claim that the journey was completed with just two 15-minute charging stops.<\/p>\n<p>To save you looking at Google Maps, it\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/eqs-saloon\/\">EQS<\/a> having a WLTP range of up to 481 miles.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The results of this test suggest the VLE will have best-in-sector range by some margin \u2013 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\u2019s push to make considerably more efficient EVs in recent years.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x0\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg?scale=down\" alt=\"Image of the Mercedes Vision V concept car, in a studio, viewed from the front right corner, with the rear door open\" class=\"wp-image-224212\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/480x0\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/720x0\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1040x0\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>The VLE is based on Mercedes\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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\u2019t seen any images of the VLE\u2019s interior yet, but will update this story as we know more.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<aside class=\"about-author\">\n<h2 class=\"about-author-heading\">About the author<\/h2>\n<div class=\"about-author-inner\">\n<div class=\"main-author-summary-container\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"main-author-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/graham-king\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/165571\/120x120\/graham_king_new.jpg?quality=90)\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"main-author-name-container\">\n<div class=\"main-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/graham-king\/\">Graham King<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"main-author-job-title\">Senior Staff Writer<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"main-author-byline\">Graham King is a Senior Staff Writer on the Bauer Automotive Digital Hub, working across CAR and Parkers<\/p>\n<p class=\"contributions-text\">With contributions from<\/p>\n<p class=\"contributor\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"contributor-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/ted-welford\/\">Ted Welford<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"contributor-job-title\">New Cars Editor<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"column show-for-xlarge-up xlarge-2 xlarge-pull-10\">\n<figure class=\"author-info clearfix\">\n<p>\t\t\t<a class=\"author-image double\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/graham-king\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/165571\/85x85\/graham_king_new.jpg?quality=90)\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<a class=\"author-image double\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/ted-welford\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/179402\/85x85\/ted_welford.jpg?quality=90)\"><\/a><figcaption>\n<p class=\"author-name\">\n\t\t\tBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/graham-king\/\">Graham King<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/ted-welford\/\">Ted Welford<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column xlarge-10 xlarge-push-2 disqus\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"commentsExpander\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/vle\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon fi-comments\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text disqus-comment-count\" data-disqus-identifier=\"article-wp-224210\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"commentsSection\">\n<div id=\"disqus_thread\"><\/div>\n<p>var disqus_shortname = &#8216;carmagazine&#8217;;<br \/>\nvar disqus_developer = 0;<br \/>\nvar 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li'd --><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1752x1168\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/79x79\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1752x1168\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, viewed from the front left corner while driving along a motorway<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/79x79\/051-mercedes-vle-driving.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1752x1168\/052-mercedes-vle-on-charge.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Image of the Mercedes VLE on charge, viewed at a low angle from the front right corner<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/79x79\/052-mercedes-vle-on-charge.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1752x1168\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Image of the Mercedes Vision V concept car, in a studio, viewed from the front right corner, with the rear door open<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/79x79\/055-mercedes-vision-v-concept.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/1752x1168\/100-mercedes-vle-prototype-front-left-corner.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Image of the Mercedes VLW prototype, static, viewed from the front left corner with Alpine mountains in the background<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/79x79\/100-mercedes-vle-prototype-front-left-corner.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Toggle thumbnails\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-list-thumbnails show-for-large-up\" data-elem=\"thumbsToggle\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Previous photo\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-arrow-left\" data-elem=\"prev\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Next photo\" 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data-elem=\"close\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>{&#8220;@context&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,&#8221;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Article&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/224210\/070-mercedes-vle-rear-axle-steering.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;mainEntityOfPage&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;WebPage&#8221;,&#8221;@id&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/vle\/&#8221;},&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/vle\/&#8221;,&#8221;author&#8221;:[{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Person&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Graham King&#8221;,&#8221;description&#8221;:&#8221;Graham King is Senior Staff Writer for our sister site, Parkers. He also contributes news, reviews and features to CAR. Heu2019s worked as a motoring writer since 2011, starting his career whilst doing a journalism degree. He ran a blog dedicated to cars and dabbled with print, video and audio. He even managed to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[239,226],"class_list":["post-1779694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-carmagazine-co-uk","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1779694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1779694"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1779694\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1779694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1779694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1779694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}