Fancy wafting around in luxurious electric silence? Of course you do. Fancy doing the same with lots of your best friends on board too? Yup, that sounds appealing. Fancy all of the above but with a Mercedes three-pointed star on the front? Sign us up...
Passenger version of the V-Class
This is the Mercedes-Benz EQV, the all-electric version of the V-Class, which is itself the passenger-ised (that's a word, right?) version of Merc's mid-sized Viano panel van.
The EQV will have a starting price of €95,955 before the SEAI grant due to private buyers - assuming that many, if any private buyers would pick one. Mercedes Ireland reckons that, really, most EQVs will be bought by companies, or owner-operators - the chauffeur-drive rental sector whose needs include airport transfers, guest transport and VIP fan groups and, even, "celebrities whose preference is for discreet transport."
Six, seven, or eight seats
Inside, the EQV can be configured as a six, seven, or eight-seater and Ciaran Allen, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in Ireland, said that it: "Represents a new milestone' in the growing family of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. EQV matches impressive driving characteristics, high functionality and aesthetic design with 21st-century emissions-free mobility."
So, what are the tech specs? Well, the EQV will be sold here as a single model, the EQV 300. You can choose from two wheelbase lengths, and underneath the flat floor, you'll find a massive 90kWh (usable) battery. That drives a 204hp electric motor, which can shove the EQV to 100km/h in 12 seconds. Range, according to the WLTP test, is 350km on a full charge. The EQV will charge from a fast-charge point, from ten to 80 per cent power in around 45 minutes, and there's a Mercedes-Benz branded 400V 16A wall box home charger that delivers a 10-100 per cent home charge in around 10 hours.
Voice activation
Standard features include electric sliding doors, MBUX infotainment system and voice-activated 'Hey Mercedes' driver assistance feature. A high-resolution, ten-inch media display shows energy flow, battery power and usage, plus there are voice-activated features for the infotainment, navigation and route planning.
On the outside, you'll spot the EQV thanks to an EQ-specific black panel radiator grille with chrome fins and 18-inch alloy wheels.