Mercedes-Benz · 1995–present

Mercedes-Benz Vito

The Mercedes-Benz Vito is a mid-sized light commercial vehicle (LCV) produced by Mercedes-Benz, available as a panel van, chassis cab, or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), carrying cargo or up to eight passengers. In the Mercedes-Benz van lineup, it is positioned between the larger Sprinter and the smaller Citan. The Vito refers to the cargo van variant for commercial use; when passenger accommodations are substituted for part or all of the load area, it is known as the Vito Traveliner, V-Class or Viano. The Traveliner/V-Class/Viano is a large MPV. The first generation went on sale in 1996. The second generation was introduced in 2004, and the vehicle received the new Viano name. In 2010, the vehicle was facelifted with revised front and rear bumpers and lights. The interior was also improved with upgraded materials and new technology. The third generation was launched in 2014 and returned to being called V-Class. The Vito/Viano is available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive configurations and comes in three lengths, two wheelbases and a choice of four petrol and diesel engines (as well as two specialist tuned models) coupled to either a six-speed manual or five-speed TouchShift automatic transmission.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz MB100

All Mercedes-Benz Vito data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (W638; 1996)

The first generation Mercedes-Benz Vito was produced between 1996 and 2003. It is powered either by a diesel engine with up to 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) or a gasoline engine with up to 140 bhp (104 kW; 142 PS) and a front-wheel drive drivetrain. The range of gasoline engines consists of two old units from Mercedes (113 and 114) and a Volkswagen 2.8 VR6 engine, designated as the M104.900. When it comes to diesel engines, old 2.3 with and without turbo and also modern CDI 2.2 engines are available. This body design was also sold as the V-Klasse in a more luxurious and expensive version (V-Klasse was replaced with the Viano name for the second generation of Vito). The Viano also included less van-like features to the Vito such as only two seats in the front and a larger and more spacious seating capacity. At first, many Vito drivers who wanted a spacious, small van opted for the Vito microbus which was extremely similar to the Viano, apart from its more van-like and less luxurious features. The Viano was however a good, more car-like option to the Vito microbus. It was designed by Michael Mauer from 1989 to 1991, when the final design was chosen and patented in February 1993, competing with the Citroën Jumpy, Peugeot Expert, Volkswagen Transporter, Fiat Scudo, Ford Transit, Hyundai H-1, Opel Vivaro, Renault Trafic, Toyota Hiace, and the GAZ Sobol. Vito 108 E. A battery-electric variant of the W 638 was unveiled in July 1996, designated the Vito 108 E. The 108 E was fitted with a three-phase asynchronous electric traction motor that developed 40 kW (54 hp) and had a stall torque of 190 N⋅m (140 lbf⋅ft), driving the wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. Energy storage was provided by a molten-salt battery (ZEBRA sodium nickel-chloride chemistry) carried under the re

Second generation (W639; 2003)

Six or seven seats come as standard in most markets. The Viano can be turned into an eight-seat people carrier by fitting two three-seater benches in the rear. All rear seats slide in 1 in (2.5 cm) increments, recline and can be turned to face one other. They can also be folded down or removed completely to increase the load capacity. A rear folding table is standard in six- and seven-seat layouts. The rear seats cannot be folded into the floor like on some rivals. With all the seats removed the Viano Extra-Long can accommodate up to 4,610 litres (163 ft3) of cargo with a payload of 930 kg (2,050 lb). It can tow a 2,500 kg (5,512 lb) braked trailer and a 750 kg (1,653 lb) unbraked trailer. An adjustable self-levelling rear suspension is included on higher specification models. Rear-wheel drive allows the Viano to have a smaller turning circle than front-wheel drive rivals; Compact and Long models have a turning circle of 11.8 m (39 ft) whereas the Extra-Long model turns in 12.5 m (41 ft). Japan passenger models were sold as the V-Class, as the V 350. Early models included V 350 Trend (RHD), V 350 Ambiente (RHD), V 350 Ambiente long (RHD). In 2012, Mercedes-Benz released the Valente model in Australia to sit beneath the Viano as the entry-level passenger van. Initial release. ==== Vito ==== The Vito was launched in China in April 2010. Engine choices consisted of the 2.1 litre OM646 turbo diesel four-cylinder, the 2.5 litre M272 diesel V6 and the 3 litre diesel V6 which also uses the M272 name. A 6 speed manual gearbox is standard for four cylinder diesel variants while V6 diesel variants are equipped to a 5 speed automatic gearbox. Trims levels are available known as the 2.1T Diesel Elite. 2.1T Diesel Service, 2.5L Elite, 2.5L Service, 3.0L Service and 3.0L Business. P

Third generation (W447; 2014)

=== Models === V-Class (W447). The third generation V-Class was launched in 2014 as a full size MPV to replace the R-Class. However, it also was marketed as a successor to the Mercedes-Benz Viano. Sales commenced in Germany in May 2014, with European sales following in June. The V-Class was a long-wheelbase model initially, with compact and extra-long variants due at a later date. A special launch model based on the V 250 BlueTEC is called Edition 1, and is fitted with a range of additional equipment including leather interior, Burmester sound system and large alloy wheels and Agility Control suspension system. Vito (W447). The Vito panel van variant was also released in 2014. Changes to Vito included standard Attention Assist and Crosswind Assist, optional Intelligent Light System (LED indicators, LED daytime running lamps, LED low-beam headlamps, main beam with cornering light function). The vehicle was unveiled in 2014 International Commercial Vehicles show. An updated version was shown in 2020, with mild styling updates. Metris (North America). The Vito also has been sold since 2015 in the United States and Canada as the Mercedes-Benz Metris; it was launched for the 2016 model year. At the time of its introduction it had the least expensive starting price for a new Mercedes-Benz model in the United States according to Car and Driver magazine, with the Metris starting at $29,945. The Metris is assembled alongside the North American Sprinter at the Mercedes-Benz Vans plant in Ladson, South Carolina. It is available in both passenger and cargo variants; however, the passenger version is intended for taxi and shuttle services, not as luxury transportation equivalent to the V-Class. For the North American market, the drivetrain is limited to a single choice: a 2.0 L turb

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Specifications

name: Mercedes-Benz V-Class
aka: Mercedes-Benz Vito (Van), Mercedes-Benz Viano (MPV), Mercedes-Benz V-Class (MPV), Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo (Campervan), Mercedes-Benz Metris (North American Models), Mercedes-Benz EQV (electric), Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer (electric)
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz (1995–1998), DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007), Daimler AG (2007–2022), Mercedes-Benz Group (2022–present)
Production: 1995–present
Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz MB100 (for Vito), Mercedes-Benz Viano (for V-Class)
Successor: Mercedes-Benz VLE (for EQV)
Class: Light commercial vehicle/Large MPV (V-Class/Viano) (M)
Body style: 5-door minivan, 5-door cargo van