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| Mercedes-Benz
Vito Crew Cab |
Broadcast
dates : 13th November 2005
19th November 2005 |
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With
the Vito, Mercedes-Benz has, in a sense, re-invented the
wheel. Or at least the way people have come to view MPVs and
cars with the Mercedes badge.
The Vito is a reversion to the original MPV, the Volkswagen
Kombi of 1950, where space, rather than luxury image, was a
primary concern.
As for the exterior, the trim is no-nonsense, including
steel wheels and utilitarian plastic.
But still, that three-pointed star emblem carries a lot of
weight in the prestige stakes.
The Vito Crew Cab is never
going to satisfy luxury aspirations. The seat coverings are
in durable plasticised cloth, the tilting mechanisms of the
seats are exposed, and the coverings for the load area are
one hundred percent utilitarian.
That’s not meant as a
criticism of the vehicle, as it remains a very solid,
well-built conveyance, with modern-day essentials like
air-con and airbag protection.
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The Crew Cab uses a
modern-generation Mercedes-Benz diesel engine, mounted north
to south with rear-wheel-drive.
The engine is a little
unrefined but acceptable for this type of machine. And its
semi panel-van looks see it equally at home in an urban or
industrial environment.
It’s on the open road
that the Vito comes into its own. It’s a particularly
stable vehicle with good aerodynamics.
But around town, Hendrik
found some drawbacks.
In other dynamic areas, the
Vito is a good commuting tool. It has an excellent turning
circle for such a large hunk of metal, and its torque rating
of three-hundred and thirty Newton metres enables snappy
maneuvering in traffic.
It also features good
active safety equipment such as ABS, traction control and
Brake Assist, making it a safe family vehicle.
At a price of R257 600, it’s
definitely attracting many family buyers.
Mercedes-Benz Vito Crew Cab
- Engine:
Four-cylinder turbodiesel, 2 148 cc
- Power : 110 kW @
3 800 rpm
- Torque: 330 Nm @
1 800 rpm
- Transmission:
Six-speed manual rear-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h: 13,5
seconds
- Top speed: 179
km/h
- Fuel consumption:
13,2 litres/100 km (Car Magazine figures)
- Price: R257 600
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