The 2015 Mercedes Vito, the third generation multi-purpose work horse, has been unveiled in different configurations. The latest iteration of the widely acclaimed MPV nameplate has a starting price of 17,990 Euros (around INR 14.53 lakhs) in Germany.
Based on the design of the more premium V Class, the 2015 Vito has a drag co-efficient of 0.32, making it more aerodynamic than ever before. The vehicle is available in three body lengths - 4,895 mm, 5,140 mm and 5,370 mm - and two wheelbases. The three body styles including panel van, crewcab (Mixto) and Tourer are on offer. The panel van has a payload capacity of upto 1,369 kg.
The people carrying Tourer is available in three variants - Base, Pro and Select. Interestingly, the new Vito is the first and the only vehicle in its class to offer front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations, which make it a very flexible product.
Powering the Vito family is a pair of diesel engines which exist in five power states. The base 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine is mounted transversely (front-wheel drive) and puts out 88 PS (86.7 bhp) and 114 PS (112.3 bhp).
The rear-wheel drive variants are powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine (used on most Mercedes cars in India as well) which is offered in 136 PS (134.08 bhp), 163 PS (160.7 bhp) and 190 PS (187.3 bhp) guises. A 6-speed manual gearbox is the standard transmission and the rear-wheel-driven models can be specified with a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission (standard on 190 PS variant).
Mercedes says that the new model is upto 20% more fuel efficient than the outgoing van. The 2.2-litre engine which is tuned to produce 163 PS has a claimed fuel economy of 17.54 km/l.
Mercedes India have shown no intent in introducing the Viano or the Vito in India in the immediate future.
More details available in the press release below.
2015 Mercedes Vito - Press Release
[Head to Slideshare if you can't view the press release]
