Brabus has released details about its program for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, which includes sharper looks, engine tuning and more entertainment features.

Scheduled to debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the Brabus package for the big minivan has as main feature an aerodynamic kit consisting of a front spoiler, attachments for the side air intakes, a three-piece fairing for the rear bumper, and quad exhausts.

The appearance is further enhanced by Brabus’ Monoblock alloy wheels which come in four different designs and with diameters of 18 and 19 inches.

Looks aren’t everything though, so Brabus also sharpened the V-Class’ handling by fitting special sports springs calibrated to the production shocks, which lower the ride height of the V-Class by about 15 to 25 millimeters (0.6 to 1 inches), depending on the model.

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class also gets more power, starting with the PowerXtra D4 performance kit offered for the Mercedes V250 BlueTEC. The plug-and-play module boosts power output of the four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel engine by 45PS (44hp) and torque by 70Nm (52lb-ft).

The tuned V250 produces a peak torque of 510Nm (376lb-ft) between 1,400 and 2,400 rpm, while peak power increases from 190PS (188hp) to 235PS (232hp). As a result, the minivan sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph).

For the V-Class’ interior, Brabus offers fine leather appointments custom-tailored to the customers’ individual requests. The upholsteries combine Alcantara and Brabus Mastik leather “in any conceivable color with refined precious-wood or genuine carbon-fiber elements.” Other enhancements include aluminum door-lock pins and pedal pads, as well as scuff plates with backlit Brabus logo.

But the main focus is on entertainment features, with the V-Class getting a Brabus business/entertainment system consisting of two 15.6-inch LCD screens integrated into the headliner which display the image from Apple TV, Blu-Ray player or DVBT receiver. The system also features Sennheiser wireless headphones, while internet is offered via WLAN router and 4G connection and can be connected with a smartphone or tablet computer.

Mercedes has just lifted the veil on its plug-in hybrid concept based on the V-Class van in Geneva. It promises to be the most powerful V, while at the same time returning efficiency numbers comparable to those of a city car (in the ideal conditions, with a full battery, of course).

Power for this V-Class Concept Vision is drawn from a combination of a 2.0-liter 210 PS turbo petrol engine that’s augmented by an electric motor adding another 120. The grand total power and torque figures are 333 hp and up to 600 Nm of torque all while using a claimed average of 3 l/100km or 79 mpg US / 94 mpg UK and emitting just 71 g/km CO2.

Being a plug-in hybrid, it has decent electric-only range, with claimed autonomy on a full charge of 50 km or 31 miles. That comes courtesy of a decent-sized battery pack that can hold up to 13.5 kWh. Oh, and the V can go up to 80 km/h or 50 mph on battery alone before needing to fire up the engine.

Why has Mercedes chosen to show this vehicle off? Well, it wants to expand the range of personalization options for the V, and this is their way of announcing it. They also want its interior to have a better image, saying in the press blurb that it’s loft-like – this more plush concept is pitched as “a private or business vehicle — and for even more exclusive tastes as well.”

Over the course of 2015, Mercedes will be expanding the V-Class range; Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said “our V-Class is well received by our customers. In 2015 we will continue this course for growth with the introduction of further body lengths and all-wheel drive models as well as new features.“ The total number of variants to be made available by the end of the year will rise to 18.

The United States and Canada will get the all-new Mercedes-Benz Vito commercial van from October this year, but in these markets it will be called Metris.

The new model had its North American debut on March 4 at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, but the commercial debut will take place in October 2015.

Available both as a Passenger Van and Cargo Van, the Mercedes-Benz Metris mid-size commercial van will be priced from $28,950 in the United States (Cargo Van), making it the cheapest model of the automaker’s entire US lineup. The Passenger Van starts at $32,500 (both prices exclude a $995 destination/delivery charge).

In North America, the Metris will be offered with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing 208hp and 258lb-ft (350Nm), mated to a 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission with optional Eco Start/Stop. This powertrain was developed specifically for the U.S. and Canadian markets to meet the needs of the Mid-Size Commercial Van Segment, and comes with a service interval of up to 15,000 miles (24,140 km).

Other than that, the Metris is largely the same vehicle as the Vito, with the exception of large cupholders, which have been added to the center console.

Standard safety equipment includes 6 airbags for the Cargo Van and 8 airbags for the Passenger Van, with all models also getting Attention Assist, Crosswind Assist, and load-adaptive ESP.

And now for some bad news: Mercedes-Benz said it has no plans to offer the V-Class luxury passenger variant in the United States or Canada.