Mercedes-Benz has announced the first major facelift of its fleet of mid-size vans and people movers since 2015 saying that the update introduces a raft of comfort, convenience and technology upgrades, plus a major safety boost for the range.
The company says its expansive light commercial range offers the choice of medium- and long-wheelbase vans and crew cabs at different specification levels, including its all-electric eVito LWB Van.
Mercedes said that hire car operators, luxury transfer companies and families will reap benefits of significant upgrades across its people mover range including Vito/eVito Tourer, and V-Class in four spec levels including all-electric EQV.
The company claims that the arrival of the major facelift and specification upgrade across its mid-size vans and people movers refreshes the range by bringing a raft of essential and desirable new technologies, including significant convenience and safety updates for the light commercial Vito and eVito.
It says that every model in the range is enhanced and refreshed, from the new range-opening model, the Vito 114 MWB Van, all the way to a selection of feature-packed V-Class people movers.
Specification upgrades that are now fitted as standard across the range include the MBUX infotainment system, which houses radio/media controls, telephony, vehicle settings and navigation. The company claims that this advanced system is rendered on a full-colour 10.25-inch centre touchscreen, and can be voice-operated using the ‘Hey Mercedes’ prompt. The driver’s instrumentation features a second 5.5 inch full-colour display screen, not unlike what’s available across the Daimer truck line -up.
All models are now also fitted with a multifunction steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls as well as a keyless start function allowing the driver to start the vehicle with the key fob in their pocket via a Stop/Start button, and an electronically actuated park brake, as well as wireless device connectivity via Apple Car Player or Google Android Auto.
Mercedes says a significant safety boost covering all models adds Active Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, and tyre pressure monitoring for the first time as standard.
It claims that variants across the van, crew cab and people mover ranges continue to be powered by a range of strong and thrifty turbo-diesel engines commanded by a smooth, intuitive 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Vito 114 MWB Van, which is a new model for 2024, benefits from all of the range-wide upgrades, but also has added front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, Active Parking Assist, cruise control/speed limiter, digital radio, driver’s comfort seat with lumbar support, rear tinted glass, halogen headlights, 2500 kg braked towing capacity, and 12 month/25,000 km service intervals.
The Vito 116 MWB/LWB Van or Crew Cab adds new features including Multibeam LED headlights with High Beam Assist Plus, satellite navigation with route-based speed adaptation and seven years of free updates, 360° camera with surround view, electrically foldable side mirrors, a puddle light featuring the Mercedes-Benz logo, front double cupholders, colour-coded bumpers and Active Steering Assist safety technology.
Other features include enhanced automatic restarting on motorways, leather steering wheel, driver and co-driver’s comfort seats with lumbar support and cushion length adjustment, chrome interior appointments, illuminated vanity mirrors and ambient lighting at the tailgate. Vito 116 Crew Cab variants get a rear three-seat bench and wood flooring.
The Vito 119 LWB Van and Crew Cab share a near-identical equipment specification to the 116 variants, substituting 17-inch steel wheels for 17-inch alloys, and adding black roof rails, a rear LED light strip in the cargo area (Van only), and an auto-dimming interior mirror. Crew Cab variants get plastic flooring, upgraded interior panelling, a load-securing rail system, rear grab handles, and a 12volt plug socket in the load compartment. The Vito 119 models also come with complimentary nonmetallic and metallic paint.
The all-electric eVito LWB Van adds pre-entry climate control for the first time, allowing the driver to remotely set the cabin temperature before entering the vehicle.
The company also says the Vito model range is powered by turbo-diesel engines from the Vito 114 (100 kW/300 Nm) and Vito 116 (120 kW/380 Nm) and the Vito 119 (140 kW/440Nm), while he eVito/eVito Tourer is powered by an electric motor outputting 85 kW and 360 Nm.
It says that all the new models in the updated Vito/eVito range are distinguishable by an external facelift, including updated grille and front fascia styling, while panel vans have a GVM/GCM of 3000/5500 kg and crew cab variants a 3200/5700 kg loading, while eVito has a 3200 kg GVM.
The new Vito Tourer and eVito Tourer feature eight seats available across three rows (2:3:3) that Mercedes says can be reconfigured to utilise substantial cargo space, which the company says makes them a modern marvel for larger families or people moving operators.
Both models have the same raft of range-wide upgrades along with a host of new additions including Multibeam LED headlights with High Beam Assist, satellite navigation with route-based speed adaptation and seven years of free updates, 360° camera with surround view, digital radio, front double cupholders, a puddle light featuring the Mercedes-Benz logo, a wireless charging system for mobile devices, electric sliding doors and tailgate, electrically foldable side mirrors, and roof rails.
The company says that these new additions round out a long list of carryover standard features including Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC cruise control, now with enhanced automatic restarting on motorways, comfort driver and co-driver’s seats in black leatherette with lumbar support and cushion length adjustments, leather steering wheel, interior chrome appointments, rear tinted glass, Active Parking Assist, front and rear parking sensors, Active Brake Assist, Blindspot Assist, Drive Away Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Assist.
The Vito Tourer is powered by a 120 kW/380 Nm turbo-diesel engine, and the eVito Tourer has an all-electric motor producing 150 kW/365 Nm.
Mercedes says that with the addition of a new V 300 EXCLUSIVE model, the luxuriously appointed and extensively upgraded V-Class range now comprises a total of four variants, including the all-electric EQV, to offer a choice to key customers such as hire car operators and large families.
The company said that the range-wide upgrades and a major injection of new technologies is particularly notable in the V-Class range.
New features that are standard across each of the four passenger oriented models include a widescreen cockpit featuring dual 12.3-inch displays housing the MBUX Multimedia System, keyless start, a heated multifunction steering wheel fitted with touch-sensitive controls, a wireless charging system for mobile devices, 64-colour ambient lighting throughout the cabin, multibeam headlights with High Beam Assist, wireless device connectivity via Apple Car Play or Google Android Auto, 3D Surround View, metallic paint, and safety technologies including Active Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, and tyre pressure monitoring.
A premium Burmester surround sound system, previously available only on the V 300 AMG model, is now standard across the range.
The company says these updates complement a carryover list for all models starting with the V 250
Mercedes says that the Avantgarde variant includes electric sliding doors and tailgate, Agility Control suspension, Active Distance Assist Distronic cruise control, satellite navigation, a touchpad controller, front and rear parking sensors, 360° camera, electric front seats with memory function and heating, Lugano leather trim, electric park brake, two puddle lights with Mercedes-Benz logo, sports pedals, a parcel shelf, anodised roof rails, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Safety equipment which is standard across the range also includes Active Parking Assist, Active Brake Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Assist and the Pre-Safe accident preparation system.
Benz says that its all-electric EQV 300 model shares the same specification as the V 250 Avantgarde, but with 18-inch alloy wheels and a distinctive LED light Band around the grille. A rear parcel shelf is also included in the previous EQV300 model is excluded from the new specification.
Benz says that the V 300 AMG steps things up even further, adding a panoramic sunroof and digital rearview mirror, along with exclusive AMG Night Package styling, sports suspension, side skirts, an AMG rear bumper and AMG spoiler lip, AMG black 19-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, a black roof liner, AMG floor mats, and a chrome-look loading sill protector at the tailgate.
The new-for-2024 V 300 Exclusive model rounds out the range with a seven-seat standard configuration as opposed to the eight seats on other models and the addition of new features including rear tray tables with illuminated trim, and an Exclusive five-louvre grille surrounded by a chrome-look trim and LED light band, and a Mercedes-Benz standing star on the bonnet. All seats are finished in supple Nappa leather, and the front seats receive active ventilation.
Another highlight are the luxury seats in the second row, which are only available with the Exclusive model. The seats, that can be ordered as an option, and offer a reclining function, as well as back massage, air conditioning, head, leg and footsteps and a folding table.
Passengers can choose between three massage levels and three levels of air conditioning, while the armrests have a cup holder, USB-C ports, and an integrated tray for smartphones, and decorative lighting elements set the luxury scene.
The V 250 Avantgarde is powered by a 140 kW/440 Nm turbo-diesel engine, while the V 300 AMG and exclusive models step up to a 174 kW/500 Nm powerplant. The all-electric drivetrain in the EQV produces 150 kW and 365 Nm.
Mercedes says that all V-Class models are identifiable via an external facelift, including variant-specific new grille and front fascia designs, and a redesigned tailgate featuring new Mercedes-Benz graphics.
Inside, trims range from the dark grey open-pore olive wood-look of the V 250 and EQV dashboards, to the carbon-fibre look of the V 300 AMG and the Exclusive ONLY trim of the V 300 Exclusive model.
