The Spanish city of Bilbao is famous for its modern art museum Guggenheim. And it is symbolic that here took a test drive retail delivery model Mercedes-Benz Vito Next Generation.
I must say that the Basque Country is an important manufacturing foothold Mercedes-Benz for many years. Back in 1995, the factory in the city of Vitoria was launched production of light commercial model Vito. A distinctive feature of the machine is a small height that allows you to place it in a standard passenger garage. Since that time, produced more than 1.2 million. Cars. And now here stood on the conveyor model of the third generation in the production of which is invested about 190 million. Euro.
Inside and outside
The design of the latest Mercedes-Benz Vito resolved in the spirit of the recently appeared minivan V-Сlass (see. “KA” 1-2’2014). And no wonder, because the body they are almost identical. Just look at the headlights, grille, elongated faceted hood. In rich versions instead of halogen headlamps fitted Xenon and running lights made with LEDs; also offered and rear LED-lights. Front and rear bumpers of passenger cars can be painted in body color.
In rich set running lights and rear brake lights – LED LED.
There are three types of bodywork: Cargo Van Panel Van, cargo-passenger van and Mixto Tourer 8-9 seats. Load capacity up to 1369 kg van. The choice of three options are available in length (4.89 m, 5.14 m and 5.37 m) and two versions of the wheelbase.
Familiarity with the machine starts at the airport, from which, in fact, and has been traced route test drive. Sit on the driver’s seat. Before my eyes – a completely new dashboard and steering wheel trehspitsievy (on “Passengers» Tourer it – multifunctional). Settled on a massive dashboard display and navigation radio. Just below – turning the handle of the ventilation system, otoleniya: test car had air conditioning or climate control with individual settings for driver and front passenger.
New trehspitsievoy wheel can be multifunctional, gearbox – mechanical (with a joystick on the dashboard), or automatic – with control lever on the steering column on the right.
The driver’s seat is adjusted in the longitudinal direction, and the angle and backrest. As an option, provided the drive – with control using the buttons branded as rocking chairs on the door panel. Provided and lumbar adjustment. Vito machines may have single or double front passenger seat.
It was hot and we decided to take off the jacket. Except that hooks them in front was not – they were on the ceiling in the main salon handles minibus Tourer. But having taken then to test a cargo van, we had to put clothes just between the seats.
The seats can be moved by slides in the floor, folding and even completely removed.
Facilitate land-landing in the main salon to help the side sliding doors with electric drive. Pulled the handle – the door quietly and went to the side. Drew again, or click on a rack – and quietly closed the door. Very convenient. Separate, triple seat middle and last rows can be moved back and forth on special rails in the floor. Their backs are adjustable in angle and can be folded. Can be tilted forward and all chair entirely, and if necessary at all to remove.
This optional multifunctional luggage rack. In it, a special cover, hidden folding plastic boxes for small things. It is this regiment is offered in a minivan and V-Class. However, the tailgate on Vito longer has eklektroprivoda. However, it helps to lower the loop, which especially have to evaluate people of small stature. Cargo vans Vito can also be equipped with swing, a folding rear door – the most convenient for loading and unloading in confined spaces.
On the run
The new Mercedes-Benz Vito – the only model in the segment of mid-size vans (GVW 2.5-3.2 m), which has three types of drive option. This is a new front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, which is offered for those who need to haul heavy loads, and finally complete – for the bad roads.
Front-wheel drive cars equipped with a new 4-cylinder turbo diesel OM622 1.6-liter and 88 hp and 114 hp Its special feature is the maximum torque that can be achieved over a wide rev range – 1500-2500 per minute. Cars with rear wheel drive and 4×4 versions are equipped with a turbodiesel OM 651 2.15 liters. A choice of three versions of power: 136, 163 and 190 hp Transmission – 6-speed manual or automatic 7-speed 7G-Tronic Plus.
The first test we got to the front-wheel cargo van with a modest, 88-horsepower engine. For leisurely razvozki the city with its partial loading capacity is enough. Despite the declared maximum torque in the range 1500-2500 rev / min, there is a real pickup 1800-1900 rev / min. Of the six gear manual transmission standard in the city are mainly used the first four: the fifth is appropriate to include up to 80 km / h, and the sixth and all on the country roads.
But the next two cars – a van and minibus – were equipped with diesel 2.15 liters and 163 liters. p. Thanks to the twin-turbocharged provided solid stock traction baseman up to 4000 rev / min. There was already a 7-step “automatic” with control lever on the steering column. Box works quickly and without shocks. In the usual depressing the accelerator gear change takes place in the region of 2000-2200 rev / min, but in a mode kick-down threshold is increased to 3000-4000 revolutions per minute. In manual mode, the transmission shifts gears levers petals on the steering wheel: right – plus gear, left – minus. In this case, when switching bottom-up automation does not interfere in the work up to the red zone tachometer – 5000 rev / min, but the transition to a lower with increased already triggered “foolproof” in the area of 3500 rev / min.
The new Mercedes-Benz Vito is equipped with electromechanical power steering. As for handling, here we discovered nuances. Car with front-wheel drive has a number of “cotton” wheel that is undeniable convenient maneuvering in the city, but little information at high speed. But Peres zadnerpivodny Vito, we have experienced a classically-detailed “mersedesovsky” wheel.
In general, the new turbo diesel are now 20% more economical than its predecessors. Our 88-strong van in mixed mode “trail-town” 7.0 liters of fuel expended. Most interesting is that almost twice as powerful counterpart to “eat” almost as much – 7.1 – 7.5 liters. Not the last role was played by the package BlueEfficiently, including in particular the system of “start-stop”.
Modified wheel suspension increased stability; It’s also great dampens road irregularities. But the sound insulation interior disappoint. Let the cargo van increased noise from the engine and the tires still somehow not forgiven – still a workhorse, here minibus passengers he obviously did not like it. Of course, minivan V-Сlass in this respect is much better, but he’s also more expensive.
The new Vito is considered the safest in the classroom. He was the first among the vans comes standard with dual airbags and system signals a seat belt. Richest equipment includes eight air bag. So, our Vito cargo van was equipped with not only the side air bag, but also inflatable curtains for head protection. Pleasantly surprised and function tightening seat belts when the ignition.
The car is literally packed with a variety of electronic security systems. Among them is to provide adaptive directional stability and Adaptive ESP system against crosswind Srosswind Assist. Both are standard. There is also a parking assistance system Active Parking Assist with rearview camera and a system that recognizes the obstacles on the road Sollision Prevention Assist. We say that the system is still traffic on a given band – Lane Keeping Assist and systems that eliminate dead zones Blind Spot Assist. Hopefully, the newcomer will continue the success of its predecessor. Especially because pricing is expected to be well thought-out -praysy new Vito in Germany start at 19,900 euros.
MERCEDES VITO: Spanish blood
Adjusting the driver’s seat and front passenger seat can be both mechanical and electrical – by a firm keys in a miniature chair. APP is under the driver’s seat.
Rearview camera helps when maneuvering.
The test car was equipped with a conventional air conditioning or climate control (pictured) with separate adjustment for driver and front passenger.
Vito inherited the company parking brake. To tighten it, you need to click on the small pedal on the left, and to remove – pull the T-handle near the steering wheel.
Test drive the latest Mercedes-Benz Vito
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