The Vito+3 110 CDI is something of a hybrid; the offspring of two different species; a people carrier and a panel van.
Mercedes-Benz is targeting sales at the trades-man who requires ample free area for the tools of his trade and sufficient room for the family during leisure time. In essence the Vito+3 eliminates the need for a van and a car but, as is so often the case with hybrids, compromises must be made.
Ostensibly, Vito accommodates six … but in reality five plus a cabin boy whose legroom is restricted by the gear stick console. On the other hand the absence of a floor-mounted gear stick has the advantage of allowing the driver to easily slide across the cab and out via the nearside door. All six seats feature three point belts – praiseworthy indeed – but in standard trim only the driver is protected by an air bag.
Behind the second row of seating, where generous leg- and head- if not shoulder-room prevails, lies considerable load space.
The second row of seats can be removed individually to increase that load area up to normal Vito panel van dimensions while a further two chairs can be added behind the second row, making this Vito capable of carrying eight.
Utilitarian interior
Easy access is gained via wide opening conventional front doors, sliders either side and a top-hinged rear tailgate which lifts well clear of us six footers, and affords useful protection from this summer’s gift – rain.
The interior is utilitarian; the flat floor is easily swept, the oddments storage is confined to a driver’s door bin and two recessed boxes in the dash and the upholstery appears durable. A sad omission is provision for a one-litre bottle or a cup. Surely the Germans realise the nutritional value of cola or MacDonald’s’ milkshakes while on the move? Developed jointly by Daimler-Benz and Bosch, three common rail direct injection diesel engines, as well as a revised petrol option, are available for the UK.
Compared to their forebears the new diesels are said to provide huge improvements in fuel consumption, reduced exhaust emissions and, since they are smoother and quieter, greater refinement. I would question the latter; noise is well muted only up to around 40mph when those in the rear seats will become conversationally isolated from those in the front. At 70mph road roar and ‘white’ noise becomes a problem for all, and I’m all but deaf!
Uphill power
While the 82hp 108 CDI should be ample for most people’s needs, Vito’s 110 CDI diesel unit, developing 102hp at 3,800rpm and maximum torque of 250Nm at 1600-2400rpm, provides noticeably more power for those uphill gradients (and traffic light grand prix).
Vito’s performance is truly flexible, accelerating in fifth gear with gratifying surety from 50mph to the legal limit. No need to drop a ratio, then, when overtaking lesser commercials.
Vito is certainly sure-footed around the twisty bits and bends, its squat stance assisting the independent suspension to minimise body roll. Power assisted steering is well weighted at all speeds; I found parking – a particular bugbear of mine – as easy as pie. I wasn’t so keen on the braking, although Vito has discs on all four wheels, anti-lock and electronic traction support. Super-car journalists usually say something about a ‘soft’ pedal and a lack of ‘feel’; I say stand on it.
Now to the load area, ever important to installers. Maths has never been my strong point but I reckon with five passengers and the driver the Vito+3 will haul a payload of just over 500kg, just under half that of the regular Vito 110 CDI panel van.
Load area dimensions are 1.5m length, 1.214m minimum width and 1.370m interior height. Remove the second row of seats (a simple task, but where to store them?) and the load length extends to 2.3m.
No passenger guard
Useful as Vito+3’s load space may be, I’m less impressed with the vulnerability of the interior sides and rear wheel arches although a bonded resin finish protects the floor. Just four tie-down eyelets at floor level is also a worry especially so when there’s no guard between tools and passengers. Perhaps you shouldn’t stand on the brakes too hard.
The large expanse of tailgate glass may also prove a security risk.
Sign on the dotted line and you’ll get GB pound 25 change from GB pound 15,000 for the Vito+3 110 CDI. Of course there’s VAT to be added and unless you can justify the extra seating and windows (much like buyers of crew cab pick-ups) it won’t be reclaimable. That’s a further GB pound 2,621 to stump up for a rather basic vehicle of, admittedly, high quality manufacture.
At least servicing shouldn’t break the bank; oil change intervals have been stretched to 14,000 miles with a major service required every 27,000 miles. The standard mechanical warranty is 36 months/125,000 miles.
This Mercedes-Benz marriage between panel van and people carrier is really rather successful. Flexibility is inherent but so too is the noise, generated by road and running gear, ever-increasing as the pedal is pressed to the metal. Maybe a few bags of cement or a set of matching M-B suitcases would soften the rumblings.
