Baby V-Class, anyone? Mercedes-Benz has given us our first official glimpse of the new T-Class, while also confirming a full reveal date for the upcoming VW Caddy rival…

Back in mid-2020, Mercedes-Benz confirmed it had plans to add a small van-based model to its range. Now, finally, the Stuttgart-based firm’s vans division has released the first official image of the new T-Class, showing off the Volkswagen Caddy rival’s three-slat grille.

Set to be fully unveiled on 26 April 2022, the T-Class is described as a “completely new model” and has been conceived in collaboration with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance (just like the closely related new Citan). In short, that means its shares most of its oily bits with the Renault Kangoo. Expect it to take on the likes of the aforementioned Caddy and Kangoo, as well as the Opel Combo Life.

The automaker says the new “premium small van” will take the form of an “attractive model for entry” into Mercedes-Benz ownership, offering “plenty of space” despite its “compact outer dimensions”. Expect the T‑Class to feature a versatile interior as well as sliding doors.

Of course, the new T-Class was previewed by the EQT Concept back in May 2021, though that show car employed a fully electric powertrain. We expect the new T-Class to be offered with a range of petrol and diesel engine options (likely the 1.3-litre turbopetrol and 1.5-litre turbodiesel units from the Renault stable,and perhaps a plug-in hybrid option, too), with the battery-powered EQT version set to followat a later stage.

Stay tuned as we’ll have more details of Mercedes-Benz’s new T-Class in the final week of April…