Moving up market

By Barry Lake
MERCEDESBENZ has gone into the people mover market in Australia boots and all, with no fewer than six variations in its Viano range covering a price range from $54,990 through to $74,790 for the top of the range, and even beyond.
Glancing through the extensive, and not inexpensive, options list, it can be seen that lovers of true luxury easily could soar past the $100,000 mark.
For those with the money and the desire, there is the opportunity to lounge back in individual, luxurious leather seats while listening to surround sound or watching DVD movies in the rear.
In the toplevel Viano models it also is possible to set up clubseating in the rear with four individual seats facing towards each other. A foldup table is another option so these four rearseat passengers can play cards or even conduct an important business meeting on the move.
At the same time, all weather conditions can be catered for at a price with separate electrically operated glass sunroofs front and rear. There really seems to be no end to the lengthy options list.
MercedesBenz also has an amazing array of Sprinter and Vito frontengine/rearwheel drive commercial vehicles.
There are longwheelbase, shortwheelbase and ultrashort wheelbase cabchassis trucks and vans, with low roof or high roof, crewcab and a choice of various diesel engines.
Now, in addition to those, the truck dealers get what is very much a dualpurpose vehicle, the Vito Wagon, which can carry up to nine adults, even of the large variety, in comfort, in three rows of three seats.
Either, or both, of the two rear rows of seats can be quickly and easily removed to convert the Vito Wagon to a combined people/cargo mover, or to a fullsized working van.
A choice of 2.2 litre diesel engine (110 kW) or 3.2 litre V6 petrol power (140 kW) makes it two versions of Vito Wagon, bringing the total of Sprinter/Vito vehicles to a massive 32.
Over at the MercedesBenz new car showroom, you can now find the more upmarket Viano versions in two trim levels Trend and Ambiente, with two engine choices 2.2 litre turbo diesel (110 kW), or 3.7 litre V6 petrol (170 kW).
The allnew styling incorporates frontal treatment that is typically MercedesBenz passenger vehicle, with traditional grille, stylish headlights, and a sloping, aerodynamic form.
When travelling in the less costly Trend version, it is difficult to imagine wanting more. MercedesBenz learned the hard way with its first AClass that buyers of the marque want to feel they are in a MercedesBenz no matter if it is a small car or a people mover.
Consequently the interior ambience is all threepointed star, from dash panel to instruments, controls, seats, trim, handling, braking and performance.
The Trend, with its cloth seats, and even with the surprisingly lively 2.2 litre turbodiesel feels every millimetre a MercedesBenz.
It has a high level of standard equipment including power front windows, tinted glass all round, and all the passenger car active safety systems including antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, electronic brake force distribution and hydraulic brake assist.
Thermotronic luxury climate control also is standard, as is cruise control.
But when you move up to the Ambiente, with its individual leathertrimmed seats (you can have six, seven or eight) as well as added luxury items including an even better sound system, and the ‘hope you never see them’ side airbags, you know you’re at the top of the class.
All of these vehicles have independent suspension front and rear and the handling is aided by 50/50 fronttorear weight distribution, but the Viano Ambiente goes a step further with selflevelling air suspension (dampers) at the rear.
When you look at what you get for your money, these people movers bearing the threepointed star begin to look like good value.
Shortly before the MercedesBenz range was announced Toyota slashed around $5000 from the price of its Tarago people mover and Volkswagen also was advertising sale prices for its similar vehicles. Coincidence? Maybe; maybe not.
MercedesBenz isn’t looking for massive sales for these vehicles only 200 per year of the Vito Wagon and 200 per year of the Viano range so as well as the mass of features, there is a degree of exclusivity included in the price.
To test drive the Mercedes inquire at Central Star Auto Haus, 518 Princes Highway, Berwick. Phone 8794 0900.