At Auto Shanghai 2025, Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on its vision of futuristic luxury and innovation with a sweeping showcase of world premieres, groundbreaking tech, and China-specific debuts, all reflecting the brand’s expanding commitment to its most critical global market.
From pioneering digital systems to game-changing EV advancements, the German automaker is drawing a bold blueprint for the luxury mobility of tomorrow.
READ MORE: BMW Unveils Future Tech at Auto Shanghai 2025
Vision V: A New Breed of Luxury Limousine
Headlining the show is the world premiere of the Vision V, a concept that unveils Mercedes-Benz’s bold leap into a new “Grand Limousine” segment. With an emphasis on elevated comfort, immersive digital experiences, and an elegant, sporty aesthetic, the Vision V redefines what a chauffeur-driven limousine can be.
Crafted for exclusivity, the interior seamlessly blends analogue craftsmanship with digital sophistication, creating a cocooning environment designed for the modern luxury passenger. Its debut signals the beginning of a new naming convention—future models will be known as VLE and VLS under this luxury sub-brand.
CLA Long Wheelbase: A China-Specific Star
Mercedes-Benz also introduced the CLA Long Wheelbase, the first in its segment and a China-exclusive model developed to cater to the local demand for more spacious and tech-rich vehicles.
Built on the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) and operating on the in-house MB.OS system, it becomes the brand’s first software-defined vehicle. Offering up to 866 km of electric range (CLTC) and an 800-volt architecture, this model delivers premium efficiency, quick charging, and next-gen digital integration, tailored for China’s discerning EV buyers.
MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO: Urban Autonomy Demonstrated
In a landmark tech demonstration, Mercedes-Benz is offering live demo drives of its MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO system in Shanghai’s dense urban environment.
This Level 2+ autonomous feature supports drivers through complex city traffic, intersections, roundabouts, and even highway merges, offering a hands-on yet assisted driving experience where the car manages much of the journey, while the driver remains in control.
Game-Changing Tech: Steer-by-Wire and Power Innovation
The company also unveiled its steer-by-wire system, which debuts in 2026. By replacing the mechanical link between the steering wheel and wheels with digital signals, this innovation enhances comfort and precision.
It enables variable steering ratios, reduced physical effort, and a smoother ride—especially in urban driving and parking scenarios. The system allows for greater customisation and interior design flexibility, including flatter steering wheels and potentially gaming interfaces.
In parallel, Mercedes-Benz is pushing powertrain tech to the next level. The new EV drivetrain offers fast-charging up to 320 kW, delivering 325 km (WLTP) of range in just 10 minutes, with a battery safety architecture that earned a five-star rating in China’s EV Safety Index.
The marque is also researching power converters at the cell level, promising constant 800V output regardless of battery charge level, enabling bidirectional charging and modular battery designs. Meanwhile, solar paintwork is being explored to generate up to 14,000 km worth of energy per year, potentially reshaping EV charging habits.
Intelligent Cockpit and AI Integration
The latest iteration of MBUX, powered by the new MB.OS, is a centerpiece of the “intelligent cockpit.” With integrated AI-powered navigation, localised virtual assistants, and 3D visualizations built with Unity, this system turns the car into a digital companion. Chinese drivers benefit from AMAP integration, ByteDance’s DouBao AI, and voice recognition tuned to local preferences.
Future-Facing Research and Sustainability
Mercedes-Benz is looking well beyond 2025 with ambitious research into:
- Neuromorphic computing, mimicking human brain function for faster, more energy-efficient AI decision-making, potentially slashing energy usage by 90%.
- Modular electric braking systems that reduce wear, eliminate brake dust emissions, and integrate seamlessly into motor-transmission units.
- Urban Futures: Shenzhen 2040+, a research visualization project guiding how Mercedes vehicles will adapt to evolving megacities.
A Showcase of Prestige and Progress
All these innovations will be on full display at the Mercedes-Benz stand in the National Exhibition and Convention Center, with the Vision V and CLA Long Wheelbase taking center stage.
With 20 years of local production and R&D in China, Mercedes-Benz is not only celebrating its past but making it clear that China is the driving force behind its electric and digital future.
From luxury limousine concepts to intelligent software-defined cars, Mercedes-Benz at Auto Shanghai 2025 offers a panoramic look at a future where comfort, connectivity, and carbon consciousness converge.
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