Upgrades for Vito and Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz has timed the announcement of revised Vito and Sprinter model ranges to coincide with the light commercial vehicles division's 10th anniversary in Australia.

The new ranges for 2008 feature improved equipment levels and new models.

A new 111 CDI Vito with higher engine output replaces most variants of the entry-level 109 CDI. Only the 109 Compact Cargo van remains on sale. The Vito 111 CDI gains power and can be ordered with an automatic transmission option in compact, long wheelbase/high-roof and extra-long wheelbase bodies.

Producing 85kW of power at 3800rpm and 290Nm at 1600rpm, the 111 is 20 per cent up on the 109's 70kW power figure, 16 per cent better for torque (250Nm for the 109). Despite the extra output, the new engine is also more economical, returning a figure of 8.1L/100km -- a nine per cent improvement on the 8.9 figure of the 109 model. The standard transmission for the Vito 111 is a six-speed manual and the optional five-speed automatic costs a further $2500 extra.

At a glance, the Vito for 2008 gains standard Speedtronic cruise control with speed limiter (an optional feature for the 109), 'Start-Off Assist' for hill starts (N/A for the Vito 109), ex-factory trailer socket pre-wiring incorporating ESP-based Trailer Stability Assist, electrically heated and adjustable external mirrors, a seatbelt warning (visual and audible), a passenger airbag option (standard for 120 CDI and 115 CDI eight-seat wagon), a 12-Volt auxiliary socket in the cargo area and fold-out cupholders.

The Start-Off Assist holds the brakes applied to the rotors up to two seconds after the driver has lifted the foot off the brake pedal from a standing start.

Fitted with the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, the Vito 120 CDI is the hot-rod of the range and for 2008, is upgraded with a luxury dashboard with aluminium-look trim.

In the case of the Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a 311 short-wheelbase van (the same spec that Australia Post has contracted to purchase from Benz), a new 12-seat bus -- the Sprinter Transfer -- plus there are three new 'Super Single' variants, the name referring to a higher payload capacity on single rear wheels.

The Super Single Sprinters are expected to do good business for MB. Based on 415 and 418 models, the 'SuSi' models combine the higher 4.5-tonne payload with the single rear wheels to expand the internal width, allowing Australian pallets to be carried in the back. Australian pallets are wider (1200x1200mm) than their European counterparts (1200x800mm) and to accommodate these previously, vehicles had to be fitted with a false floor or the wheel arches needed to be modified after-market.

Pricing for the Sprinter SuSi models are $4000 more expensive than the 3.5-tonne equivalents with single rear wheels or $2000 less than the 4.5-tonne equivalents with dual rear wheels. Benz expects these models to attract buyers from the freight, refrigerated food transport and mobile workshop industries.

On sale since late last year, the Sprinter Transfer is built as a bus in Germany and can be driven on a standard passenger car licence, as it seats 12. It's based on the 315 long-wheelbase Sprinter and features 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder and standard five-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting feature.

Changes across the range for Sprinter include: visual and audible seatbelt warning, an automatic sliding door option, Speedtronic cruise control/speed limiter and entry-assist grab handles.

In addition to the automatic sliding door option, the Sprinters can also be ordered with a keyless feature, which automatically opens or resecures the sliding door (and other entry points) as the driver approaches or departs the vehicle, respectively.

Benz has revised pricing for both the Vito and Sprinter ranges, but has -- in the case of the Vito 111 CDI -- mitigated that extra cost through the improved fuel economy of the new vehicle, which compensates for the additional impost in monthly lease payments -- the most common means by which Vito owners purchase their vehicles.

The least expensive Vito is the on-going 109 CDI Compact, priced at $38,990 -- a price increase of $290 over the 2007 variant. Most price increases for the Vito range are under $1000, but the 120 CDI has risen by $1950 for the extra-long van and
$1720 for the extra-long crew cab. Pricing for the Vito 111 CDI commences from $40,490 for the Compact variant.

Sprinters kick off from $41,190 for the 309 CDI SWB van -- an increase of $800 over the 2007 model. The 311 CD SWB is priced from $44,490 and the Sprinter Transfer bus will set you back $74,990. Sprinter SuSi variants are available in a 415 mid-wheelbase model ($53,990), a 415 long-wheelbase model ($57,490) or a 418 long-wheelbase model ($63,490).

As with all Mercedes-Benz light commercials, the model variants are named for a combination of their gross vehicle mass and engine output in horsepower -- so Sprinter 315 is a 3.5-tonne GVM vehicle with a 150hp engine and the Sprinter 418 is a 4.5-tonne GVM vehicle with a 184hp engine.

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