Auto Shanghai 2025.

Auto Shanghai 2025

New vehicles and steering technology presented.

April 23, 2025 – With a plethora of China-specific vehicles and technologies planned for Auto Shanghai 2025, Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating its technical prowess and reaffirming its commitment to its biggest market.

China is home to Mercedes-Benz’s most comprehensive R&D hub outside Germany and 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of local production and tech activities in China. Oliver Thöne took up his first public appearance in his new role as member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Auto Shanghai 2025 highlights of Mercedes-Benz

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World Premiere of the Vision V Close

The Vision V  show car demonstrates Mercedes-Benz’ vision of combining generous space with maximum exclusivity and an unprecedented digital experience. The Vision V is a luxurious and elegant chauffeur-driven limousine that delivers a whole new world of comfort. Analogue craftsmanship merges with an immersive user experience to create a holistic experience with a cocooning effect. The sporty, elegant exterior underlines the iconic design and signals dynamism and status in equal measure.

The introduction of the modular, flexible and scalable Van Architecture will usher in a new era starting in 2026. The future model portfolio will range from practical, entry-segment family vehicles and exclusive VIP shuttles to luxurious limousines with an enormous amount of space, each in line with different customer requirements. By expanding the top-end of its model portfolio, Mercedes-Benz is creating a unique segment of its own that defines automotive luxury. To underline this strategy, Mercedes-Benz is introducing a new naming format: The upcoming “Grand Limousines” will be called VLE and VLS.
Mercedes-Benz CLA will be available in China as a long-wheelbase version Close

With this variant, Mercedes-Benz is now offering customers in China more in every respect: more space, more visual sophistication, more comfort, more intelligence and more efficiency.

It is the first vehicle based on the scalable Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). It is also the first to operate on the new in-house developed Mercedes-Benz Operating System MB.OS, making it the first software-defined vehicle from Mercedes-Benz.

The electric version will offer a rear-mounted motor, a two-speed transmission and an 800-volt architecture. The electric range tops out at 866 kilometres according to CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle), which equals a consumption of 10.9 kWh/100 kilometres according to CLTC. Therefore, the long-wheelbase version also builds on the impressive efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz CLA .¹

¹Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology: WLTP range of up to 792 kilometres and energy consumption of 14.1-12.2 kWh/100 kilometres

Steer-by-wire becomes reality: Mercedes-Benz revolutionises the steering of the car Close

From 2026, Mercedes-Benz will be the first German car manufacturer to offer a production model with steer-by-wire technology. This system does not require a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. Instead, the driver’s steering input is transmitted quickly and directly via an electrical cable, i.e. “by wire”. The completely new steering setup ensures a unique customer experience because it reduces the effort required to turn the wheel from lock-to-lock and the cumbersome ‘hand-over-hand’ movements are eliminated. As a result, steer-by-wire makes low-speed manoeuvres and parking much easier. Driving dynamics also benefit because the Mercedes-Benz chassis specialists can select the steering ratio in a completely variable manner and adapt it flexibly to different situations.
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, unveiled the Vision V show car, which gives an outlook on a new segment of luxurious sedans and paves the way for a new era at Mercedes-Benz Vans.
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, unveiled the Vision V show car, which gives an outlook on a new segment of luxurious sedans and paves the way for a new era at Mercedes-Benz Vans.
The Vision V is a singular example of a luxurious and elegant MPV for the highest customer demands.
The Vision V is a singular example of a luxurious and elegant MPV for the highest customer demands.
Oliver Thöne presented the world premiere of the CLA with a long wheelbase and is responsible for Greater China, where he succeeds Hubertus Troska.
Oliver Thöne presented the world premiere of the CLA with a long wheelbase and is responsible for Greater China, where he succeeds Hubertus Troska.
In addition to the revolutionary new vehicles, a multitude of new technologies were shown and demonstrated to accredited media.
In addition to the revolutionary new vehicles, a multitude of new technologies were shown and demonstrated to accredited media.
Both vehicles were presented at a special pre-show event at the West Bund Art Center and will take pride of place on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the National Exhibition and Convention Center until May 2.
Both vehicles were presented at a special pre-show event at the West Bund Art Center and will take pride of place on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the National Exhibition and Convention Center until May 2.
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, unveiled the Vision V show car, which gives an outlook on a new segment of luxurious sedans and paves the way for a new era at Mercedes-Benz Vans.
The Vision V is a singular example of a luxurious and elegant MPV for the highest customer demands.
Oliver Thöne presented the world premiere of the CLA with a long wheelbase and is responsible for Greater China, where he succeeds Hubertus Troska.
In addition to the revolutionary new vehicles, a multitude of new technologies were shown and demonstrated to accredited media.
Both vehicles were presented at a special pre-show event at the West Bund Art Center and will take pride of place on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the National Exhibition and Convention Center until May 2.

Innovations & future technologies

Mercedes-Benz is providing exclusive insights into ongoing research activities aimed at automotive progress far beyond the current period of transformation – innovations for a completely new era of mobility. This includes the development of groundbreaking technologies for a better quality of life and road safety, for more climate protection and resource conservation and for more digital experiences that are hyper-personalised and extend far beyond the vehicle.

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Neuromorphic computing – the brain behind AI’s next revolution Close

Through research into artificial neural networks, Mercedes-Benz and its partners from research and industry are breaking new ground in the creation of computer architectures. The company recently announced a research collaboration with the Canadian University of Waterloo in the field of neuromorphic computing. By mimicking the workings of the human brain, neuromorphic computing could make AI computations significantly more energy-efficient and faster. Safety systems could, for example, recognise traffic signs, lanes and other road users much better and react faster, even in poor visibility. And they could do so 10 times more efficiently than current systems. It has also the potential to reduce the energy required for data processing in autonomous driving by 90 percent compared to current systems.
New potential for electric mileage from solar paintwork Close

Mercedes-Benz is researching new types of solar modules that could be seamlessly applied to the bodywork of electric vehicles – similar to a wafer-thin layer of paint that could generate enough electricity to power the vehicle for over 14,000 km per year (under ideal conditions, based on the light incidence in Beijing/China). The active photovoltaic surface can be applied to any substrate. The solar cells have an efficiency of 20 percent and are therefore highly efficient. The solar paint could be a very effective future solution for longer ranges and fewer charging stops.

Power converter – gamechanger for high-voltage architectures Close

Mercedes-Benz is also striving for a paradigm shift in the use of a new generation of power electronics technologies in electric vehicles. In future, a programmable micro-converter could go beyond the limits of current electrical inverter systems and revolutionise existing high-voltage architectures. The basis for this is the integration of these micro-converters directly at battery-cell level, which could enable individual control of battery-cell pairs, as well as communication between cells.
Brake of the future Close

As electric vehicles brake primarily through recuperation, Mercedes-Benz is entering completely new territory in the development of mechanical brakes. The innovative, more sustainable brake that is currently under research is no longer in the typical location at the wheel. It takes up very little installation space, hardly wears out and is virtually maintenance-free. This makes it very durable and reliable. In addition, the braking effect is easy to control and does not diminish even under high loads. Thanks to integration into the closed motor-transmission unit, no particulate emissions from brake abrasion reach the outside and the brake does not rust. This could prevent brake noise in the future. There would also be no need to clean the brakes. Clean brakes have a positive effect on efficiency and range.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX.

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