When we talk about vans the conversation usually centres on payload, running costs and increasingly battery size, charging and range. Unsurprisingly steering ratios rarely gets a look-in.
But, for anyone who actually drives a van or van-based passenger van shuttle every day, it really should.
The new Mercedes-Benz VLE as a great example of why it matters, and it's telling that one of the few facts Mercedes has given about this new model ahead of the launch is about the rear-axle steering. The new VLE will have up to 7-degrees of rear steering, and while that might sound like an engineering detail suitable for the Dull Men's Club, it actually has a huge impact on the usability and productivity of the VLE and maybe even the van it will eventually become.
A more direct steering ratio means fewer turns of the wheel are needed to achieve the same steering angle. That means the vehicle responds more quickly to driver inputs and in an urban setting that translates into less arm work, easier manoeuvres and less fatigue.
Now think about how often your posh executive transfer chauffeur, or even a van driver, might need to wiggle in or out of a tight space. That added turning circle is going to be of a huge benefit. From multi-storey car parks, narrow residential streets, hotel entrances or at city-centre drop-off points, drivers are constantly winding the lock on and off and medium electric vans like the VLW need a lot of steering lock - trust me. Now think of that effort and how it adds up over a full shift.
By reducing the turning circle to 10.9 metres curb-to-curb, a large electric MPV suddenly behaves more like a much smaller car when manoeuvring.
In fact, Merc are comparing its turning circle to the much smaller CLA, and having been behind the wheel of the new VLE for a demonstration of its parking abilities I have to say that the whole low-speed manoeuvrability of the VLE is quite impressive.
The steering isn't light, but its faster to respond, and the new parking features that make use of this sharper turning circle are something to behold. I've never been on to rely on any sort of self-parking, but I have to say that if I owned a VLE I would be using it all the time.
Back in the busy real world where drivers are going to be in a VLE day-in-day out, the better turning circle will likely translate into less stress and a better experience for both drivers and passengers.
Steering details might be something quite easy to overlook, but the impact for the people who are going to be driving the VLE will be tangible.
