Mercedes-Benz MPVs Undergo Winter Testing In Arctic Conditions

Mercedes-Benz is testing its upcoming multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) near the Arctic Circle. The tests focus on vehicle control, safety, thermal management and efficiency in extreme cold. These MPVs will be built on a new modular vehicle platform, with the Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) for electric models and the Van Combustion Architecture (VAN.CA) for combustion engine models, starting in 2026.

Mercedes-Benz Vans is conducting winter tests for its next-generation MPVs in Arjeplog, Sweden. The tests evaluate performance on icy roads and snow-covered terrains. Engineers are assessing vehicle control, safety systems, and thermal management.

The tests assess acceleration, braking, and stability on ice and snow. The grip level in these conditions is lower than on dry roads, affecting maneuverability. Engineers are testing the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and rear-axle steering.

Dr. Andreas Zygan, Head of Development Mercedes-Benz Vans, Mercedes-Benz AG, said, “Our future MPVs herald a new era. To achieve our ambitious development goals, we are taking advantage of all the opportunities offered by digitalisation. Thanks to our Mission Control Center, we were able to optimise the data from the trips in real time. This has allowed us to significantly shorten our test time frame and make significant progress in terms of product maturity in a very efficient way.”

The tests also examine how the vehicles maintain interior temperature in cold conditions. The MPVs are pre-cooled in chambers before test drives to ensure systems function at low temperatures. Engineers are also assessing charging performance, including an 800-volt DC charging system and a 22-kW AC charger.