|
By
EWAN KENNEDY
26 February 2007
The Mercedes-Benz range of Vito one tonne vans has two big things
going for it from the outset. The first is the three-pointed star
sitting in the centre of the radiator grille. The image level of the
German company is so high that it even carries across to the
light-commercial field. Tradesmen who want to create an air of prestige
for their products just love this feature and boast that it helps pull
in extra business. (Perhaps even allows them to charge a bit more? But
we didn’t say that!)
The second big thing going for the Vito is far more important.
It’s an excellent van that would have scored well on the
Australian market even without the image it carries. As a European
design there's good emphasis on safety and security, as well as
good steering and handling that makes driving less of a chore than
it can be in many Asian light commercials.
Now Mercedes-Benz has announced important improvements for the
2007 Vito series. An electronic stability program (ESP) is now
installed in every version. ESP is even more of an advantage in
vans than in cars because the higher centre of gravity can create
bigger problems should the driver, or another road user, make a
potentially fatal mistake.
The comfort and safety of air conditioning is now standard in
all models, as is a CD stereo, remote central locking and a driver’s
SRS airbag.
Biggest news of all is the introduction of a high-performance
model (well, high-performance is a relative thing) featuring a
3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine putting out all of 150 kW and 440
Nm. That’s the sort of output that would have required a V8
petrol engine only a couple of decades back. Mercedes-Benz is
claiming the resulting Vito 120 CDI is the most powerful one-tonne
van on the Australian market. Which isn’t quite as impressive as
it sounds because there has hardly been a power race in the
light-commercial segment. Until now?
The existing Mercedes four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which
is sold in two different formats, has received modifications to
improve its power and torque, and Mercedes tells us it’s now
cleaner and even more economical than previously.
Considerable attention has been paid to the suppression of
noise, vibration and harshness. Ergonomics play a major part in
the interior, as an example the steering wheel is adjustable for
both reach and rake. These items make the inside of the Vito as
pleasant a working environment as possible, which is important
because many drivers will spend long hours in the cabin every day.
An extensive range of Mercedes Vito models includes three
lengths on two wheelbases, as well as standard and high roofs. Not
all permutations are available, but you can do a fair bit of
mixing and matching. There is also a crew-cab model that can seat
up to six people (with a bit of a squeeze, though we have seen
worse). Finally there's the Vito wagon with three rows of seats.
The Mercedes Vito is sold not only as a van, but as the Viano
people mover. Indeed Viano is more of a small bus than a people
mover. Because interior space is far greater due to the more
upright seating position the taller vehicle provides, many owners
feel the small-bus route is the one to take.
Even with all the seats in place there's plenty of luggage
space in the rear of the Viano, something that can’t be said of
many people movers. Getting in and out of the Mercedes is slightly
easier than doing the same thing in a people mover and it’s much
simpler to move around once you are inside. These are not the
cheapest vehicles on the market, but have still found a decent
number of buyers in less than two years on the Australian market.
The complete 2007 Vito range with prices, excluding on-road
costs, is:
109 CDI Compact 2.2-litre diesel: $38,700 (manual)
109 CDI Long High Roof 2.2-litre diesel: $43,060 (manual)
109 CDI Extra Long 2.2-litre diesel: $41,780 (manual)
115 CDI Compact 2.2-litre diesel: $46,540 (automatic)
115 CDI Long High Roof 2.2-litre diesel: $50,430 (automatic)
115 CDI Extra Long 2.2-litre diesel: $49,260 (automatic)
120 CDI Extra Long 3.0-litre V6 diesel: $52,540 (automatic)
109 CDI Compact Crew Cab 2.2-litre diesel: $42,740 (manual)
109 CDI Extra Long Crew Cab 2.2-litre diesel: $45,460 (manual)
115 CDI Compact Crew Cab 2.2-litre diesel: $50,220 (automatic)
115 CDI Extra Long Crew Cab 2.2-litre diesel: $52,940 (automatic)
120 CDI Extra Long Crew Cab 3.0-litre V6 diesel: $56,270
(automatic)
115 CDI Long 8-Seat People Mover 2.2-litre diesel: $57,950
(automatic)
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
