Benz Faqs

This is the very first look at two near-finished MPV concepts from Mercedes-Benz, which will arrive as finished models in UK showrooms next year. Both of these vehicles will make their debut at the Paris Motor Show in two weeks’ time and adopt the Vision name-tag, which Mercedes uses for 90% of their finished designs.

The Vision B is billed as a compact sports tourer by Mercedes and is likely to be called the B-class when it goes on sale. Essentially a longer version of the A-class, the car is only a little shorter than MPVs like Volkswagen’s Touran. Mercedes won’t say whether it’s a five- or a seven-seater, or what folding tricks the seats may be able to perform. As a rough guide, prices should start in the region of £18,500.

Mercedes will also pull the wraps from the Vision R. Described as a Grand Sports Tourer by the manufacturer, the Paris concept car is the latest in a line of Mercedes concepts and will become the R-class next year. The new arrival uses a wheelbase as long as the S-class luxury car and offers luxurious accommodation for six passengers over three rows. Price tags are likely to be high, starting between £40,000 and £45,000.

Both of the concepts feature a new type of paint, which Mercedes describes as ‘extremely shiny’ and says ‘surrounds the body like a metallic skin’. The high-gloss finish is a development of the manufacturer’s nano-particle paint, which it introduced late last year. It is more durable than normal coatings and will eventually be offered as an option.