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TRANSPORT
with Terry Martin
M
ercedes-Benz has introduced its third-generation Vito
delivery van, broadening the line-up with its first foray
into front-wheel drive and raising the bar across the
board in key areas such as advanced safety equipment.
Two new front-drive variants are available, a 111 CDI in both
short-wheelbase (3,200mm) and long-wheelbase (3,430mm)
guise, both powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine
developing 84kW of power and 270Nm of torque.
The 1.6L engine combines with a six-speed manual gearbox
only and returns frugal fuel economy of 6.2L/100km on the
official combined cycle.
All other Vito model variants – which include a short-
wheelbase mid-length crew cab (seating up to six) as well as
the SWB and LWB panel vans – drive the rear wheels through a
2.2L ‘BlueTec’ twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine,
although it comes in three states of tune depending on the
variant: 100kW/330Nm for the 114, 120kW/380Nm for the 116
and, at the top of the range, 140kW/440Nm for the 119.
Transmission choices for the 2.2L rear-drive units are either a
six-speed manual or seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic – again,
availability depends on the selected model chosen – while fuel
economy ranges from 6.1L/100km to no more than 6.4L/100km
across the entire series, thanks in part to fuel-saving
‘BlueEfficiency’ systems such as automatic engine idle-stop.
Safety technology onboard the Vito is a clear highlight,
although a reversing camera is not fitted standard. That seems
at odds with other high-level features that do make the grade,
including attention assist (a driver fatigue detection system),
crosswind assist, start-off assist, adaptive brake lights and
Mercedes’ latest electronic stability program that covers
traction, braking and a host of other applications.
Among the hi-tech optional features are a blind-spot
monitor, lane keeping assist, collision prevention assist,
active parking assist and an intelligent LED light system that
automatically adjusts the headlamps to suit prevailing light,
road and weather conditions.
Most of the creature comforts you would expect are fitted
on all models, such as a multi-function (and fully adjustable)
steering wheel, trip computer, cruise control (with speed
limiter), remote central locking, power front windows, heated
electric mirrors, air conditioning and a 5.8" TFT display linked
to an AM/FM tuner and various connection options such as AUX
input, USB, SD, SDHD and Bluetooth audio streaming. There is
no CD player.
Standard dual sliding doors and a tailgate provide access to
the cargo area, capacity for which starts at 3.6m
3
in the crew
cab, rising to 5.8m
3
in the regular SWB van and topping out at
6.9m
3
for the LWB van.
Payload capacity is as much as 1,285kg (on the 111 CDI front-
drive SWB van) and generally around the 1,100kg mark across
the range, although the top-end crew cab is restricted to 895kg.
GVM is 3,050kg and braked towing capacity is 2,000kg on all
models. Unladen weight ranges from 1,765kg to 2,155kg.
Mercedes-Benz
www.mercedes-benz.com.auMERCEDES-BENZ VITO