Mercedes-Benz VLE China 2026: certification specs, power output and range

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The Chinese-market Mercedes-Benz VLE has moved a step closer to production: on August 7, the model appeared in another batch of certification filings from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The documents reveal precise dimensions for the local version for the first time — a length of 5,310 mm, a 3,340 mm wheelbase, and two powertrain configurations reaching up to 305 kW. The technical package is nearly identical to the global VLE, despite being built separately for China.

According to the MIIT database, the electric minivan is 2,000 mm wide and 1,922 mm tall. The cabin seats seven. The enclosed front end carries Mercedes’ signature star-pattern lighting, and the grille is illuminated. The short front overhang frees up more space for passengers — still one of the key selling points in China’s large MPV segment.

The base version is rated at 200 kW, or roughly 272 hp. The all-wheel-drive variant uses two motors: 200 kW up front and 105 kW at the rear. Combined output comes to 305 kW, or about 415 hp.

This closely mirrors the global lineup’s power split. Mercedes-Benz officially quotes 203 kW for the VLE 300 and more than 300 kW for the VLE 400 4MATIC. The European version gets a 115 kWh usable NMC battery, a WLTP range of over 700 km, and DC fast charging up to 300 kW. Mercedes says 15 minutes at the charger adds roughly 355 km of range.

The Chinese filings don’t yet disclose battery capacity or a certified range figure, so the European 700 km number can’t be applied directly to the local car. What is confirmed for the Chinese version, though, is the 800-volt electrical architecture.

Another notable detail is rear-axle steering. On the global VLE, the rear wheels turn up to 7 degrees, cutting the turning circle down to 10.9 m. For a vehicle over 5.3 m long, that makes a real difference when parking or maneuvering in tight urban streets.

The VLE’s appearance in Chinese certification fits the production timeline Mercedes has already laid out. In June, Mercedes-Benz started series production of the model at its plant in Vitoria, Spain, and confirmed that its Fuzhou plant is set to begin building the VLE for the Chinese market by the end of 2026. Earlier this month, Mercedes already expanded the VLE lineup with AMG Line trims, underscoring how actively the model is developing across global markets.

The next big number to watch won’t be power output: pricing and CLTC-rated range for the Chinese market will show how well the VLE can compete against China’s fast-growing class of large electric MPVs.