Mercedes-Benz focuses on safety with the launch of its 2011 Vito van range
By Gary Worrall | February 8, 2011
With its Sprinter van the first to achieve a five-star safety rating, there was little doubt safety would be a recurring theme during the launch of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Vito van range.
The van is fitted with a host of safety features, including ABS brakes, acceleration skid control (ASC), brake assist system (BAS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).
Vehicles also come with cruise control, speed limiter, Bluetooth connectivity and a multi-function steering wheel to manage the upgraded audio system and telephone functions.
Also fitted as standard are adaptive brake lights that flash if the driver exceeds a set force on the brake pedal. The lights warn following traffic the vehicle is stopping faster than might otherwise be expected.
Reinforcing the safety theme of the launch, Samantha Cockfield from the Victorian Traffic Accident Commission says the goal is to have “five-star people in five-star vehicles on five-star roads” as the TAC works to reduce the road toll.
Cockfield says the Victorian road toll has dropped from 1034 in 1989 to 287 in 2010, and the next focus will be on reducing the road toll among drivers at work, which accounts for 30 percent of road deaths.
Occupational Health and Safety obligations on employers are likely to have an impact, with companies needing to purchase safer vehicles which then offer the benefits of reduced business costs, particularly after an incident.
Mercedes-Benz vans’ General Manager Campbell York says the incoming models are the latest in a 52 year association between the German manufacturer and the Australian market.
As part of the model release, York says the Vito is now more powerful yet also cleaner, courtesy of the move to Euro 5 emissions.
UNDER THE HOOD
The 2011 range now opens with the Vito 110, a one-tonne, 100 horsepower offering.
It is followed by the 113 (one tonne/130 horsepower) and 116 (one tonne and 160 horsepower) in the short wheelbase version, as well as a long wheelbase van in 113, 116 and 122 (one tonne 220 horsepower) guise.
The short wheelbase provides 5.2 cubic metres of cargo space, while the long wheelbase increases this to 6.2 cubic metres, as well as providing an extra 457mm of floor space.
The new models use an oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and cooled exhaust gas recycling (EGR) to deal with engine emissions and achieve the Euro 5 rating, without needing the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems used on Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks.
HITTING THE ROAD
An initial drive, ironically curtailed by poor weather prior to the completion of the safety demonstrations at Victoria’s Philip Island race track, shows the Vito enjoys the increased power.
The new 6-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions coped well with the extra power and torque outputs.
Also new for 2011 is an engine start and stop feature on manual models that shuts the engine down while the van is stopped, helping reduce emissions as well cut fuel consumption.
While the Vito’s profile remains similar to its predecessors, it features redesigned headlights and grille.
It has optional Bi-xenon headlights, a headlamp cleaning system and LED daytime running lights and cornering lights. This is standard fit for the Vito 122 along with automatic transmission and 17 inch alloy wheels.
For the other models, 16 inch steel wheels with high profile rubber are standard fare. These wheels offer improved ride comfort, soaking up initial impacts with road corrugations.
Couriers and other van operators will appreciate the decision to fit remote central locking.
Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific’s communications manager, David McCarthy, says the Sprinter ended 17 years of market leadership by the Ford Transit in 2010, helped in no small way by securing the coveted Australia Post van contract.
McCarthy says the Vito, Sprinter and Vario van range also finished 2010 with a 14 precent increase in global sales.
Although a good result for the company it should be considered in light of the economic turmoil of recent years which saw worldwide vehicle sales plummet in the 2009 financial year.
Look out for a full test of the new Vito range in an upcoming edition of ATN magazine.