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By
BARRY LAKE
25 July 2005
Mercedes-Benz has gone into the people mover market in Australia
boots and all, with no fewer than six variations in its Viano range,
covering a price range from $54,990 through to $74,790 for the top of
the range, and even beyond.
Glancing through the extensive, and not
inexpensive, options list, it can be seen that lovers of true
luxury easily could soar past the $100,000 mark.
For those with the money and the desire, there
is the opportunity to lounge back in individual, luxurious leather
seats while listening to surround sound or watching DVD movies in
the rear.
In the top-level Viano models it also is
possible to set up club-seating in the rear, with four individual
seats facing towards each other. A fold-up table is another option
- so these four rear-seat passengers can play cards or even
conduct an important business meeting on the move.
At the same time, all weather conditions can be
catered for - at a price - with separate electrically-operated
glass sunroofs front and rear. There really seems to be no end to
the lengthy options list.
Mercedes-Benz also has an amazing array of
Sprinter and Vito front-engine/rear-wheel drive commercial
vehicles. There are long-wheelbase, short-wheelbase and
ultra-short wheelbase cab-chassis trucks and vans, with low roof
or high roof, crew-cab and a choice of various diesel engines.
Now, in addition to those, the truck dealers get
what is very much a dual-purpose vehicle, the Vito Wagon, which
can carry up to nine adults, even of the large variety, in
comfort, in three rows of three seats.
Either, or both, of the two rear rows of seats
can be quickly and easily removed to convert the Vito Wagon to a
combined people/cargo mover, or to a full-sized working van.
A choice of 2.2 litre diesel engine (110 kW) or
3.2 litre V6 petrol power (140 kW) makes it two versions of Vito
Wagon, bringing the total of Sprinter/Vito vehicles to a massive
32.
Over at the Mercedes-Benz new car showroom, you
can now find the more up-market Viano versions in two trim levels
- Trend and Ambiente, with two engine choices - 2.2 litre turbo
diesel (110 kW), or 3.7 litre V6 petrol (170 kW).
The all-new styling incorporates frontal
treatment that is typically Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle, with
traditional grille, stylish headlights, and a sloping, aerodynamic
form.
When travelling in the less costly Trend
version, it is difficult to imagine wanting more. Mercedes-Benz
learned the hard way with its first A-Class that buyers of the
marque want to feel they are in a Mercedes-Benz no matter if it is
a small car or a people mover.
Consequently the interior ambience is all
three-pointed star, from dash panel to instruments, controls,
seats, trim, handling, braking and performance.
The Trend, with its cloth seats, and even with
the surprisingly lively 2.2 litre turbo-diesel feels every
millimetre a Mercedes-Benz. It has a high level of standard
equipment including power front windows, tinted glass all round,
and all the passenger car active safety systems including
anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, electronic
brake force distribution and hydraulic brake assist.
Thermotronic luxury climate control also is
standard, as is cruise control.
But when you move up to the Ambiente, with its
individual leather-trimmed seats (you can have six, seven or
eight) as well as added luxury items including an even better
sound system, and the "hope you never see them" side
airbags, you know you’re at the top of the class.
All of these vehicles have independent
suspension front and rear, and the handling is aided by 50/50
front-to-rear weight distribution, but the Viano Ambiente goes a
step further with self-levelling air suspension (dampers) at the
rear.
When you look at what you get for your money,
these people movers bearing the three-pointed star begin to look
like good value.
Shortly before the Mercedes-Benz range was
announced Toyota slashed around $5,000 from the price of its
Tarago people mover and Volkswagen also was advertising sale
prices for its similar vehicles. Coincidence? Maybe; maybe not.
Mercedes-Benz isn’t looking for massive sales
for these vehicles - only 200 per year of the Vito Wagon and 200
per year of the Viano range. So, as well as the mass of features,
there is a degree of exclusivity included in the price.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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