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By
EWAN KENNEDY
10 March 2008
The prestige offered by the three-pointed star appeals just as
much to Australian tradespeople as it does to buyers of passenger
cars and SUVs. A problem for local buyers in recent years is that
the Mercedes-Benz Vito van range has been too popular in its home
market in Europe. So, until now, Australians haven’t been able
to buy the most desirable vehicle in the commercial range, the
more powerful Vito in 111.
That has now changed and the importers have done a complete
rearrangement of the range to reflect this. The previous Vito 109
range has been trimmed to just one model, the Compact van. It
retains the 70 kW / 250 Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine used
previously and is only offered with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Price of the Vito 109 CDI is now $38,990.
The big news is in the Vito 111 CDI. While it uses the same
basic 2.2 engine as the 109, the turbo-diesel is in a higher state
of tune and produces 21 per cent more power and 16 per cent
additional torque (85 kW / 290 Nm) compared to the version
previously imported. The fascinating thing is that this more
powerful engine can have a lower fuel consumption. Tested to
official government standards, the 85 kW engine consumes just 8.1
litres per hundred kilometres, compared with the 70 kW’s 8.9
litres.
Transmission options are the six-speed manual and an automatic
five-speed unit for an extra $2500. Note that this is a full
torque-converter automatic, not a robotised manual gearbox. It
will appeal to those specifying upmarket variants of the Vito, as
well as commercial operators doing a lot of high-traffic driving.
The Vito's manual gearbox comes with a hill-start feature
dubbed Start-Off Assist. It holds the brakes on for two seconds
after you lift off the pedal, thus giving drivers time to get the
clutch engaged and the Vito moving uphill.
Mercedes-Benz Vito 111 is sold in three wheelbases: Compact,
Long and Extra-long, the latter coming in the high-roof models.
Single-cab and crew-cab bodies are available. See our price /
model list for details of the complete Vito van range. Note that
it starts at $40,490 which is only $1500 above the price of the
entry-level Vito 109.
All Vito vans come with trailer wiring and socket as part of
the package. A fascinating feature is that the ESP system fitted
to all Vito vehicles comes with what the German company calls
Trailer Stability Assist. This senses fishtailing in a trailer and
does its best to reduce the hazardous behaviour using the van’s
ESP.
Though this is a new range for 2008, Mercedes has avoided the
temptation to carry out a facelift of the Vito. So, externally it’s
identical to the 2007 range, with the obvious exception of new
model badges where appropriate.
However, the upmarket Vito 120 model now has a more refined
design of dashboard that includes soft-touch trim materials and
aluminium highlights. Also included are leather facings on the
gearlever and steering wheel.
The Vito 120 gets airbags for the driver and front passenger,
others in the range supply only one for the driver. As befits its
prestigious status, the Vito 120 gets a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
engine and rides on alloy wheels.
All Mercedes vans come with a generous three-year / 200,000
kilometre warranty that includes roadside assistance.
The complete Mercedes-Benz Vito van range, with prices
(excluding on-road costs) is:
109 CDI Compact 2.2-litre turbo diesel: $38,990 (manual)
111 CDI Compact 2.2-litre turbo diesel: $40,490 (manual), $42,990
(automatic)
111 CDI Long High Roof 2.2-litre turbo diesel: $44,990 (manual),
$47,490 (automatic)
111 CDI Extra Long 2.2-litre turbo diesel: $43,990 (manual),
$46,990 (automatic)
115 CDI Compact 2.2-litre turbo diesel: $46,490 (automatic)
115 CDI Long High Roof 2.2-litre turbo diesel: $50,990 (automatic)
115 CDI Extra Long 2.2-litre turbo diesel: $49,990 (automatic)
120 CDI Extra Long 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel: $54,490 (automatic)
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Marque Publishing Company
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