Mercedes-Benz has provided a glimpse into the future for its large and medium vans by unveiling “The BOuLDER” a sculpture that gives a hint of what the new generation of Mercedes-Benz large and medium vans might look like.

The sculpture measured 6.5m long, by 2.75m high and 2.50m wide and was milled from a solid piece of material to show a few features. For instance, it appears to have a longer bonnet than the current Sprinter.

“The next generation of Mercedes-Benz vans will focus on innovative powertrains, connectivity and advanced digital services. Functionality and customer needs are at the heart of our development. We’ve tailored our Mercedes-Benz operating system specifically to commercial use and with it, will redefine the van segment once again. We offer our customers state-of-the-art technology combined with efficiency and tailor-made intelligence. I’m confident that our future sprinter will be the flagship in its segment more than ever before”, said Andreas Zygan, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Mercedes-Benz told us that the new vehicle architecture will form the basis of all newly developed medium and large vans in the future. As now, there will be cargo and passenger carrying variants (designated VLE and VLS). We can expect to see the first models using the Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) appear in 2026 and these will be the passenger carrying variants with the VLE being the first to market. Electric vans will follow later. These will also be joined by a second version, the Van Combustion Architecture (VAN.CA). Mercedes-Benz says that we can expect state-of-the-art combustion engines for these models.

All versions will be available with a variety of drive systems and in a range of lengths, wheelbases and gross weights, following consultation with customers from a range of industries. As now there will be chassis-cab variants and other configurations to accommodate conversions.

All models will adopt the company’s Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). Mercedes says that this allows all actuators and sensors to be precisely controlled, covering a range of functions from infotainment and comfort features to charging. It will permit greater connectivity, allowing customers to integrate their own apps and software with the vehicles. It will also allow for predictive maintenance with systems such as Mercedes-Benz Van Uptime Monitor. All vans will be fitted with high-performance computers connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, enabling over-the-air updates to all vehicle software including driver assistance systems.

Mercedes-Benz also used the unveiling to mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Sprinter. Van Fleet World Editor John Kendall was the first UK journalist to drive the van in 1995. The company also showed the world’s oldest roadworthy delivery van, a restoration project carried out in the UK. The “Combination delivery vehicle” was capable of carrying 300kg with a top speed of around 20mph, faster than horse and carriage transport at the time.