Benz names new eight-seater 'Valente'

Mercedes-Benz has extended its passenger-carrying van range downmarket slightly with a gap-filler in the form of the new Valente. 

The new passenger-carrying van and a concomitant downward price adjustment for the Vito wagon take advantage of unsatisfied demand for Benz people movers between $50,000 and the luxury car tax threshold. Now $49,990, the Vito wagon has been reduced in price by $3000 and the Valente picks up the slack at $54,490.

"We're definitely after more volume with this vehicle, and we think price-wise, feature-wise, safety-wise, it more than stacks up against what some might regard as its opposition," said David McCarthy, Senior Manager Corporate Communications at Mercedes-Benz Australia.

The "opposition" may or may not be the Volkswagen Caravelle or higher-specified variants of the Kia Grand Carnival.

"I'll put up our vehicle against theirs any day," said McCarthy. "It is a five-star [ANCAP-rated] vehicle."

If it seems like a lot of effort for not much reward, McCarthy agrees that the VFACTS people mover segment is not a target-rich environment for sales.

"It's a small segment," he agreed, "but there are buyers there..."

"We specified the car directly as a result of feedback from our dealers and customers. It's a 'hybrid' vehicle... that is produced by commercial vehicles... [but] it's a passenger car. In terms of VFACTS, it's a passenger vehicle, because it's counted in the people movers, like the Vito [wagon] and Viano."

The new model comes with a plethora of standard equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, auto-on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth and a leather-bound multifunction steering wheel. In addition, it comes with iPod/USB/AUX-compatible CD audio system, Parktronic, rear privacy glass (behind the B pillars) and an electrochromatic mirror.

Power is supplied from a Euro 5-compliant 2.1-litre common-rail diesel four-cylinder, developing 120kW and 360Nm. Fuel consumption is 8.2L/100km in the combined-cycle test, with CO2 emissions rated at 216g/km. A five-speed automatic takes the torque to the driven wheels at the rear. Suspension is independent all round, with MacPherson struts at the front and semi-trailing arms at the rear. Riding on a wheel and tyre combination measuring 225/55 R17 (tyres) and 7.0Jx17 (wheels), the Valente can turn through an 11.8m diameter.

Dropping the Vito wagon in price and filling its place with the Valente effectively opens up three price points for fleet and private buyers among Benz customers. The Viano remains the upmarket option, at $70,946. Just under $50,000, the Vito wagon brackets the model range on the low side. And at just under $55,000, the Valente is the bargain buy below the luxury Car Tax threshold. However, specifying the COMAND satnav option alone ($4490) will take the Valente over the LCT threshold — and there's no dispensation from the tax for the people mover. There are plenty of other extra-charge options available to Valente buyers too. It's an on-going sticking point for McCarthy. Any Valente customer willing to pay the extra dosh for creature comforts that aren't standard, will be slugged a further 33 per cent that goes directly into government coffers.

"Yet again, Labor's Car Tax discriminates against working families," he said, before offering this swipe at the left wing of Aussie politics. "As an eight-seater, there's more than enough room for the Queensland opposition..."

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