28/08/2024 The new Vito panel van has launched in Ireland and we’ve put it through its paces to see if the big middleweight Merc is worth the asking price. Vito has been in Ireland for 25 years and with each generation improvements have been made. Available with a four-cylinder diesel, with various power outputs or in electric guise as the eVito the new van is one that values its Driver’s and caters to them well.
There are three trim grades, starting with Base, then Pro and Select at the top. The van comes with a choice of two wheelbase lengths and three body lengths: compact (4,895mm), long (5,140mm) and extra long at 5,370mm. You can have two seats or three seats up front. a solid metal bulkhead separates the cargo deck from the passenger compartment. Outside the Vito gets a smarter look with a new radiator grille, LED lights front and rear, a new front camera and five new paint colour choices. This is a van that can look very good.
Inside, there is a new cockpit design that could be straight from any Mercedes passenger car. The driver is very well taken care of and the driving position is perfect. Vito comes with a 5.5-inch colour display and a new steering wheel that allows access to menu selection and other touch controls. Vito is comprehensively equipped, Depending on the grade selected you get some cool stuff like driver-assist items: Active Brake Assist with emergency and cross-traffic functions, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Active Steering Assist, Driving Light Assist including rain sensor, Intelligent Speed Assist, Cruise Control, and reversing camera. Now here is a firm that wants its users to be as safe as possible on the road. Connectivity is impressive too.
The voice activation ‘Mercedes me’ app features – in a van! This allows drivers connect to a number of interactive, remotely operated controls, monitors, safety supports and assistance features. Other standard tech elements include additional safety systems and an expanded range of driver assistance systems ADAS. Vito is available with a manual gearbox on its lower-powered engine variants and with an automatic gearbox on more powerful units. There is a crew cab version called the Mixto and a people carrier called the Vito Tourer available. The Vito can take a payload up to 1,354kgs, and is certified for a GVW of anything between 2.8 and 3.2 tonnes depending on model.
Under the bonnet Vito’s diesel engine is Merc’s proven 2.0 litre, four-cylinder diesel. The auto gearbox is Merc’s 9G-Tronic or in entry point vans a 6-speed manual. If you want to go EV, the battery-powered eVito van is equipped with a 60kWh battery. The electric motor has a peak output of 116 hp and a continuous output of 95 hp. Its range from a full charge is quoted at up to 319kms. The eVito is a lovely drive, very smooth and perfect for low weight, urban delivers. We tested it in the city and it was a near relaxing experience -that not something you hear many van drivers say. The new Vito is available in Ireland from €35,106 for the 110 panel van version with ‘Base’ equipment line.
Our test van is the 119 CDI Long RWD in ‘Select’ trim with an automatic gearbox. It weighs in at €49,948 (ex VAT). It is a joy to drive and manoeuvre. With 190hp on tap the 119 can cruise effortlessly. Mercedes-Benz says it has ‘comprehensively upgraded the standard equipment on the Vito and tailored the logic of the equipment packages even more precisely to customer requirements’, and we can’t argue with that. The new Vito is a step forward and a very easy van to use, drive and spend time in. Vito benefits from its passenger car divisions interface and its clever Mercedes-Benz MBUX multimedia system features the intelligent “Hey Mercedes” voice assistance, centred around a dash-mounted 10.25-inch touchscreen display.
Fergus Conheady, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in Ireland says Vito is set to open a: “world of connectivity and digital experiences”, Conheady says ‘Vito’s customer base extends from corporate owners, van hire and fleet operators to small businesses and self-employed engineers, tradespeople, professional services, and parcel delivery specialists amongst whom, it has proven to be a favourite… in its latest configuration, the new Vito has moved to a new level in terms of the comfort, connectivity, driver assist, and safety systems included within its standard specifications”. We were very impressed by the Vito and while it is at the pricier end of the sector it offers ‘user choosers’ especially an excellent and safe driving experience. Michael Sheridan
