Ticket to Ride

The new 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito can be identified from its predecessor by its restyled grille and underneath its skin the versatile van has been extensively updated with additional safety features as standard equipment and an enhanced interior including new infotainment systems.

Active Brake Assist is standard across the entire range and can detect the risk of a collision, initially providing visual and audible warnings and if the driver doesn’t react, the system provides support with active braking functions.

In urban traffic, Active Brake Assist also reacts to stationary obstacles or crossing pedestrians.

DISTRONIC is available in the Vito range for the first time and is an active cruise control which can maintain a driver selected distance from the vehicle ahead, not just in freeway conditions, but also in stop-start traffic, taking away much of the stress associated with driving commercial vehicles in built up areas.

The Vito’s digital inside mirror is unique in the van segment and displays an image from the high definition camera located in the rear window and can be viewed the same way as a conventional mirror.

The advantage is it provides a full field of rearward vision even if items in the cargo compartment are blocking the rear window.

The interior of the Vito has been revised using ‘Caluma’ fabric on items including the seats to provide elegant yet robust coverings.

The 2021 Vito range receives the new Audio 30 infotainment system, the core of which is its 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration via Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

The screen also serves as the monitor for the improved reversing camera which is standard across the new Vito range. A Bluetooth interface enables audio streaming and hand-free phone functions, and a USB port is provided to keep phones and tablets charged.

The available technology includes the Intelligent Light System (ILS) which is standard on the Vito 119 models and is also available as an option across the rest of the range.

The ILS reacts adaptively to the visibility conditions and adjusts the light distribution and range to the respective traffic situation by actuating low beam, partial high beam or full high beam.

Mercedes-Benz have rationalised the model line up to provide some reduced complexity, with the emphasis now on power and carrying capacity.

Short, medium and long wheelbase models are available in a number of combinations. The previous model Vito 114 CDI with engine specs of 100kW/330Nm is no longer available, leading to the more powerful (120kW/380Nm) Vito 116 CDI likely to be the predominate engine choice.

The ‘entry level’ front wheel drive Vito 111 CDI is powered by a 1.6 litre 84kW/270Nm engine driving through a six speed manual gearbox.

The various models of the ‘up range’ 116 CDI and 119 CDI are all rear wheel drive and powered by a 2.0 litre engine providing 120kW/380Nm in the 116 CDI, or 140kW/440Nm in the 119 CDI models. All of the two litre engines drive through the seven speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

Cargo volumes in the van versions of the Vito range from 5.5 to 6.6 cubic metres, while the Crew Cabs with their dual row seating arrangements can still hold 3.6 or 4.1 cubic metres dependent upon the wheelbase.

The Vito Crew Cab models have the ability to carry up to six people, and the Valente people mover from the 116 CDI range can accommodate eight people in typical Mercedes-Benz style comfort.

The exterior appearance of the new Vito now includes an expanded selection of available paint colours including the hyacinth red metallic finish popular on Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. There is also the option for a striking steel blue paint finish.

Customers are able to choose from a number of new wheel designs including a ten spoke 19-inch rim painted in black with a high-sheen finish, as well as two 18-inch wheel designs, one with a five twin-spoke design in grey with a high-sheen finish and another with a five spoke design in black also with a high-sheen finish.

Black finished alloy wheels with 17-inch diameters have been added to the range of available equipment. The 17-inch variant is designed in such a way that it offers improved vehicle aerodynamics.