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The new medium van is likely to retain the variable service intervals of the current model in the UK, where the vehicle assesses when it will need workshop attention depending on how sympathetically it is driven.
As is the norm with Mercedes, much emphasis has been placed on safety with the new Vito, which, predictably, comes with Adaptive ESP as standard. The brand claims the new Vito panel van is the only model in its class to provide airbags and a seatbelt reminder for both the driver and passenger as standard and adds that the Tourer people carrier gets up to eight airbags including window bags in the front and rear and thorax/pelvis sidebags for the front seats.
Mercedes says the new Vito will also come with a standard piece of kit it dubs Attention Assist that gauges the driver's state of alertness by detecting inconsistent driving characteristics through an array of sensors. It aims to protect drivers against fatigue on long journeys and is active at speeds of between 50mph and 110mph. Crosswind Assist, which was introduced on the Sprinter to guard against sudden gusts of wind, is also a standard fit, as is a tyre pressure monitoring system.
A tranche of other safety assistance items are up for grabs as options, including Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Active Parking Assist, which the brand claims is a first for vans. Also introduced on the new Vito as an option is the Intelligent Light System as an alternative to the standard halogen headlamps. The technology consists of LED indicators, LED daytime running lights and LED headlights with a cornering function. Depending on road speed, the beam adapts for driving on motorways, city streets or rural roads by varying the light distribution.
Merc says all three body lengths of the new Vito (4895mm, 5140mm, 5370mm) are 140mm longer than the outgoing model, which it attributes to an extended front end designed to improve pedestrian protection. With a max height of 1910mm, all variants are below the 2.0m mark and thus fit into standard multi-storey car parks and automatic car washes.
According to Mercedes, the models at the heart of the range are the 2.8 and 3.0-tonne derivatives, which have payload capacities of 1000kg and 1289kg respectively.
Mercedes describes its new medium van as having a powerful-looking radiator grille framed by sharply contoured wing-shaped headlamps.
It says the new Vito fits snugly into the LCV line-up between the Citan and Sprinter with signature stylistic elements such as three perforated slats in the grille, which also serve to boost airflow.
The Vito has a horizontal bumper extending downwards with a further air intake incorporated. At Base level, the bumpers are unpainted to reduce repair costs, but higher up the range colour-coded bumpers are made available.
The arrow-shaped bonnet flows into the side walls that feature two raised contours, which Mercedes claims reduces wind resistance to improve fuel consumption. Roof rails, which do not raise the height above the 2.0m threshold, can be specified as an option.
Mercedes has raised the tail lights on the new model to enhance the vehicle's visibility and reduce the risk of picking up knocks in traffic and tight spaces. The van, meanwhile is available with either a tailgate or twin hinged doors.
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