Proving itself as a popular option, sales of Sprinter vans increased an impressive 94 percent for calendar year 2011. In only its second year of operation, Daimler Vans USA and its combined network of both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter dealers achieved a total of 16,577 vans sold, far surpassing the 2010 result of 8,559. The Mercedes-Benz network alone saw an increase of 172%.
“Our strong, diverse network of 185 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner commercial van dealers spread across the U.S. has enjoyed a banner year of Sprinter van sales. From large fleet operators to small construction businesses and mom-and-pop food trucks, American consumers are discovering the incredible benefits of Sprinter vans,” said Claus Tritt, General Manager of Commercial Vans for Mercedes-Benz USA.
Powered by a fuel-sipping 3.0-liter BlueTEC diesel engine, the Sprinter has best-in-class cargo capacity of up to 547 cubic feet and payload capacity up to 5,358 pounds. With cargo doors that open a full 270 degrees, the Sprinter also boasts a rear door opening that’s 5’2″ wide and six feet tall. Both the Cargo and Passenger Vans feature a side-door opening that’s 4’3″ wide and six feet high. At the same time, their step-in height is only 19.9 inches – lowest in the industry. Interior standing height can be up to 6’6″. All versions are equipped with a number of Mercedes-Benz safety features — ESP stability and rollover control, ABS anti-lock brakes, Brake Assist and traction control. The driver and front passenger seats are equipped with standard multi-stage front air bags, and side curtain and torso air bags are optionally available.
The Sprinter Van Success Story
The highly successful Mercedes-Benz Sprinter made its European debut in 1995, and a new-generation Sprinter was launched globally in 2006. Since 2001, the Sprinter has been sold in the U.S. by Freightliner, the industry’s leading manufacturer of medium and heavyduty trucks in North America. Complete with many Mercedes-Benz safety and convenience features, the U.S. line-up includes the Cargo Van, Passenger Van, MiniBus, Cab Chassis and the new Crew Van. Mercedes-Benz USA began offering the Sprinter line through select Mercedes-Benz dealers in 2010. Both MBUSA and Freightliner are divisions of Daimler AG, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles.
BlueTEC Diesel with DEF Injection
All Sprinters are powered by an innovative 3.0-liter BlueTEC diesel engine that attains an impressive 24.9 miles per gallon on the highway. Marking the first-ever use of super-clean BlueTEC technology in the commercial van market, the BlueTEC diesel engine is as clean as a modern gasoline engine. A Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injection system reduces nitrogen oxides to harmless nitrogen and water in a downstream catalytic converter.
Spy photos of the third generation Mercedes-Benz Viano made their way to the web today with the very first photos of a chassis test mule.
The Mercedes-Benz Viano was introduced in 2004 as a passenger version of the Vito commercial panel van and went on to receive a facelift in 2010 with revised bumpers and lights.
According to sources multiple prototypes have been spotted around Europe, with all of them sporting the same modified bonnet that can be seen in the Viano spy photos. Some in the office think that with that high of a bonnet and such a massive grille, the model appears to be aggressive almost as if it were an AMG version – but more than likely the design is just a temporary solution in order to fit a new engine and/or its cooling system in the mule’s body, perhaps with some testing equipment too.
The next Mercedes-Benz Vito and Viano are expected to make their debut in 2013 or 2014. We will of course keep you updated as new information comes in. Also, make sure to watch as there is the chance that a Renault-badged version of the same model will also surface as the partnership between the two groups allows them to work together on both cars and transporters.
Photos Via: Euro Car Blog
The Bulgarian tuner Vilner is known for taking the interior of vehicles to the next level and the new Mercedes-Benz Vito van by Vilner is no exception. Vilner did a complete interior makeover on the popular Mercedes Vito 120 CDI, making it worthy of all its highend occupants looking for an alternative to private air travel. The Vilner Vito is offers more than just luxury style updates, the tuner has replaced the front seats were replaced with a pair of Mercedes CL seats, while the back has been fitted with four modified airplane-like seats. The entire cabin has been dressed in materials such as Alcantara, Nappa leather and wood.
The vehicle has also been fitted with mahogany armrests, luxurious tables and extra soundproofing in addition to an infotainment system that uses a 19-inch LCD display, a refrigerator, a minibar and others.
Vilner has also brought extremely light exterior mods, in the form of lightweight alloy wheels and Bi-Xenon headlights. Pricing has yet to be announced.
On December 5, 2011 the very first Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 77 was delivered to Christian Winzenhöler, General Manager of the bus operator Winzenhöler. The Winzenhöler bus company has been under family management for three generations, employs around 50 personnel and has a fleet of 42 buses. The Winzenhöler bus company carries several thousand passengers in the Rhine-Main region for both regular routs and special excursions. Roland Sabais, Head of Sales at Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches Western Region, Oliver Schlamp sales department at Mercedes-Benz Buses, Western Region and Mark Freymüller, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Minibuses, handed over the symbolic key to Christian. Christian chose the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 77 because of its high passenger capacity despite its compact dimensions as well as choosing the Sprinter 77 for the added manoeuvrability and economic aspects.
Sprinter City 77: top-of-the-line city bus in the minibus range
With a length of 28.5 feet, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 77 is the current top-of-the-line city bus in the Mercedes-Benz minibus range. Like the body of the Sprinter City 77, the low-floor chassis with a tandem rear axle is an exclusive in-house development by the Mercedes-Benz Minibus product unit. With a passenger capacity of up to 40, it closes the gap between the Sprinter City 65 and the 10.5 m long Citaro K. Compared to the previous top model in this vehicle series, the Sprinter City 65, the Sprinter City 77 has around one metre more length – all to the benefit of the passenger area – ten additional passenger spaces, a continuous, level low floor in the passenger area and a second wheelchair space. It has this high transport capacity thanks to a permissible gross vehicle weight of 6.8 t.
The chassis of the three-axle Sprinter City 77 has an independent suspension all-round and single tyres. Thanks to its comparatively short wheelbase and slim dimensions, even this largest model in the Mercedes-Benz city minibus range is ideal for narrow inner-city streets. In addition the Sprinter City 77 is highly suitable as a shuttle bus for airports and exhibitions, or for inter-urban operations.
Painted in arctic white, the Sprinter City 77 is powered by a 4-cylinder CDI diesel engine developing 120 kW (163 hp). A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. Meeting the Euro V and EEV emission standards (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle), the Sprinter City 77 is set to be the most environmentally friendly bus in the Winzenhöler fleet. To cater for passengers with impaired mobility, a second wheelchair space with a folding ramp at door 2 was ordered in addition to the standard wheelchair space at door 1.
The introduction of the extended ESP package for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter beginning in January 2012 will improve the Sprinter’s braking performance in critical situations and enhance the safety of passengers and other drivers on the road. ADAPTIVE ESP 9i is replacing the current ADAPTIVE ESP 8.1. This moves helps to solidify Mercedes-Benz stance that safety is one of the fundamental values of the brand.
The successor to ADAPTIVE ESP guarantees greater safety
The intelligent ADAPTIVE ESP safety system complements other aspects such as careful driving techniques, effective brakes and sophisticated chassis systems, to achieve the greatest possible active safety. Just like the ADAPTIVE ESP 8.1 safety system, fitted as standard ever since the current Sprinter was introduced, the new ESP 9i takes the vehicle load into account. Depending on the weight and the position of the vehicle’s centre of gravity, the ESP sensors ascertain the vehicle load at any given time; this ensures that ESP 9i can stabilise the vehicle with individually modulated intervention action.
This new ESP system will also intervene selectively if a trailer begins to sway, thus helping drivers to stabilise their vehicle and trailer combination.
ADAPTIVE ESP 9i has two important additional functionalities: Brake Disc Wipe and Electronic Brake Prefill.
Brake Disc Wipe accelerates brake response time in wet conditions
In wet weather, light braking pressure is applied to the wheel brake at regular intervals to wipe the film of water off the brake disc. If emergency braking occurs, full braking power is immediately available. This gains valuable stopping distance compared with braking with wet brake discs.
Electronic Brake Prefill ensures that brakes respond rapidly
If the accelerator pedal is released suddenly and quickly, the brake pads will automatically be gently applied so as to eliminate in advance the air gap between brake pad and disc. If emergency braking then occurs, valuable milliseconds will have been won since the friction surfaces of the pads and discs will already be in contact, facilitating effective deceleration.
This functionality also reduces stopping distance which, depending on the circumstances, will either avoid an accident or diminish its severity.
The new ADAPTIVE ESP 9i will be fitted as standard from January 2012 at no additional cost.
European restaurants are discovering the virtues of local emission-free driving thanks in part to refrigerator van specialist Kerstner who is presenting the first refrigerator van variant of the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL at the Solutrans trade show in Lyon/France from November 29 to December 3.
Refrigerator van that runs totally local emission-free
Their business is in the city: compact refrigerator vans based on the Mercedes-Benz Vito supply specialist stores and restaurants with fresh and temperature-sensitive foods. Urban settings are also the natural habitat of the local emission-free VitoE-CELL. Kerstner, a leading brand for refrigerator vans, has now taken the logical step of building the first refrigerator van variant of the Vito E-CELL, generating zero local emissions.
With this vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is responding to customers’ calls for a zero-emission refrigerator vehicle. The refrigerator body from Kerstner represents yet another customer-oriented solution from Mercedes-Benz.
Refrigerator unit powered by separate battery
The refrigeration set-up from Kerstner is based on the familiar and proven complete solution which is already being marketed successfully by Mercedes-Benz branches and partners under the Mercedes-Benz VanSolution programme. Here, the flat refrigerator unit on the roof of the Vito is supplied with power from a separate lithium-ion battery, however. This battery operates independently of the Vito E-CELL’s traction battery, providing autonomous cooling for six to ten hours, after which it can be recharged at the mains in a maximum of four hours. The refrigeration unit does not impose any restrictions on the Vito E-CELL’s range.
Kerstner puts the battery’s service life at 3000 charging cycles. At one charging cycle per day over 240 working days a year, this amounts to a lifespan of around twelve years. The battery is supplied with power independently of the traction battery, via a separate charging system. The additional battery and the separate charger reduce the refrigerator van’s maximum payload by only 75 kg.
Conversion based on tried and tested equipment
The body is based on Kerstner’s tried and tested equipment. With an overall height of 2000 mm including refrigerator unit, the refrigerator van variant of the Vito E-CELL is also suitable for underground garages. The load compartment has a volume of 3.5 m³. Its floor is fitted with diamond-tread aluminium sheeting. Based in Gross-Rohrheim to the south of Frankfurt, Kerstner has been developing air-conditioning and cooling systems and insulating fit-outs for over 20 years. Insulation and cooling technology thus originate from the same manufacturer.
Vito E-CELL: first van to be factory-fitted with electric drive
The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is the first van to be factory-fitted with an electric drive. It is based on the medium-length Vito panel van with a wheelbase of 3200 mm. Its electric motor generates a continuous output of 60 kW and maximum power of 70 kW. The peak torque stands at 280 Nm.
The traction batteries are accommodated under the floor, without interfering with the load compartment. The Vito E-CELL’s high maximum payload of 850 kg ensures that it is fully suitable for commercial use. The capacity of the lithium-ion batteries stands at 36 kWh, resulting in a range of around 130 km, which is fully adequate for urban delivery operations.
The multiple award-winning Vito E-CELL is produced at the Vitoria plant in Spain’s Basque region, on the same production lines as all other Vitos. As previously announced, Mercedes-Benz has begun production of a series of 2000 Vito E-CELLs this year. Almost 400 of these vehicles have been built to date.
The Viano Marco Polo is a combination of everything you have ever wanted from a camper van and so much more. The van meets your initial desires, comfort, safety and power but it then goes on to offer you high end features you would expect to see from a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Features like an easy-glide sliding door, a lockable valuables compartment, fully equipped kitchen, electropneumatically inflatable seat cushion bolsters, wood look floor and to literally top it off, a roof bed. What else could you want from a compact luxury home on wheels? Well, for the earth friendly cross-country drivers, Mercedes installed the Viano with a four-cylinder BlueEFFICIENCY diesel engine with a displacement of 2.15 litres and the V6 with its 3.0 liters with CO2 emissions and fuel consumption at record-breaking low figures.
Viano Marco Polo: big shot among the compact camper vans
The figures alone are testimony to its success: while new registrations of camper vans in Germany increased overall by 18.1 percent in the first six months of 2011, registrations of Mercedes-Benz camper vans rose 24.5 percent. And growth internationally has been equally solid: in the first half of 2011, new camper-van registrations in Europe increased by 10.4 percent to 49,624 units. The compact Mercedes-Benz Viano Marco Polo camper van even managed to comfortably better these excellent figures: sales in the first half of the year rose by 82 percent to some 900 units.
Comfortable and practical: Mercedes-Benz Viano Marco Polo
The concept of the Viano Marco Polo is just right: its dimensions are compact and perfectly suited to everyday use for a camper van, measuring exactly 5.0 m long and 1.9 m wide. With the roof closed it remains under the two-metre height restriction which is important for everyday usage. Cockpit, drive system and suspension are entirely on a par with high-end passenger car standards. The interior with its fully fitted kitchen and cupboards on the left-hand side, the moveable individual-style seats and the rotated front seats have been purpose-designed and honed down to the very last detail. Mercedes-Benz and its experienced conversion partner Westfalia have also come up with numerous refinements, which are only available in a Viano Marco Polo.
Minimal scope for improving the hallmark features
The tried-and-trusted arrangement of the living area in the Viano Marco Polo is a classic, with its spacious fully fitted kitchen and cupboards on the left-hand side, as well as the unique movable seat design with electrically adjustable individual seats and electropneumatically inflatable seat cushion bolsters, leaving minimal scope for improvement.
The fully equipped living accommodation for the Viano Marco Polo is a compelling proposition: pop-up roof (as an option with electrohydraulic EASY UP function), comfort roof bed resting on special flexible spring elements, seat that converts into a bed with electric adjustment and bed extension, wardrobe and roof stowage cupboard along with a drawer in the seat base, kitchen with dual-burner gas stove, compressor-type coolbox and sink as well as stowage compartments, external power socket and charger for the separate on-board battery, hot-air auxiliary heating with timer and temperature control, table, all-round privacy curtains and a valuables compartment – the Viano Marco Polo is ideal as a compact camper van, for impromptu overnight stays as well as for weekend excursions and long holidays.
Viano Marco Polo in detail: well-thought-out fittings and furnishings
You just need to open the easy-glide sliding door to appreciate the special qualities of the Viano Marco Polo as you catch your first glimpse of the living accommodation. The fronts of the furniture sport silver surfaces; the integral decor strip with its burr walnut-look finish takes its cue from the strip in the cockpit. In this camper van, the basic vehicle and the living accommodation, the Viano and the Marco Polo fittings and furnishings form a harmonious whole in terms of style and materials. The surfaces and decor strips with their high-quality look and feel convey the hallmark quality of a Mercedes-Benz.
The seating consists of the two-seater bench with individual seats in the rear, the attachable table and the swivelling front seats. Thanks to the space-saving foot-operated parking brake and joystick-style shift lever in the instrument panel, the seats can be effortlessly swivelled, providing unimpeded access from the cab to the rear. The seat base on the co-passenger seat features a lockable valuables compartment, with a stowage net on the side of the base – just two of the many practical details on the Viano Marco Polo.
The high-quality, homely fittings and furnishings on the Viano Marco Polo rest on a hard-wearing, easy-to-clean foam-backed floor covering. As an option, the floor is available in a wood-look finish, similar to the decking on a luxury yacht. It looks homely yet at the same time exquisite. Additional everyday flexibility comes courtesy of the option of an additional individual seat.
Fully fitted kitchen and cupboards: practical and spacious
The fully fitted kitchen and cupboards do not just provide a visual highlight: in the Viano Marco Polo, the stowage and cutlery drawer can be accessed at any time. Thanks to the roller fronts, the contents of the spacious stowage compartments are conveniently to hand. With a compact camper van like the Viano Marco Polo with its versatile uses it is these kinds of clever details that make all the difference. For instance, plastic clips secure the removable shelves in the cupboard while on the move. One of the many examples of why the sturdy fixtures and fittings do not produce lots of noise even on poorly appointed roads.
The kitchen in the Viano Marco Polo is fully equipped with a dual-burner gas stove, a compressor-type coolbox with insert, and a sink. The 40-litre capacity of the coolbox is sufficient to store more than enough Tuscan delicacies as food for the journey, such as the typical exquisite sausage products. A gas-operated strut lifts the cover on the coolbox and on the stove/sink unit.
The know-how of the experienced camper van manufacturer is reflected in the detail: the raised cover for the cooker/sink unit not only serves as a splash guard; it also includes a fold-down draining board for dishes. And the designers have even thought about a waste bin. A 12 V power socket as well as a clothes hook are fitted in the trim on the roof frame in front of the cupboard. Insect screens on the sliding windows help keep unwelcome guests at bay.
Bench seat: electrically adjustable, electropneumatically inflatable bolsters
The unique bench seat on the Viano Marco Polo is mounted on rails so it can be moved. The two electrically adjustable individual seats in the bench come with electropneumatically inflatable seat cushion bolsters. They improve seating comfort noticeably, provide lateral support while on the move and a comfortable flat surface at the destination once deflated. ISOFIX anchorage points can be used to secure child seats. A large drawer under the bench seat as well as the roof stowage compartment in the rear can be used to stow luggage – every last centimetre in the Viano Marco Polo is used for the benefit of those on-board.
This also applies to the table, which is stowed away in the sliding door trim while on the move. Once the vehicle has been parked, the tabletop can be slotted into a rail on the front of the kitchen, the foot into a bench seat rail – and away you go.
The bench seat converts into a bed at the push of a button
As soon as it is time to turn in for the night, an electric motor effortlessly transforms the two individual seats into a double bed at the push of a button – an unrivalled feature. Deflating the seat cushion bolsters creates a comfortable, perfectly flat bed that is two metres long. Here too is another clever feature: the bench seat is raised automatically a few centimetres as it is being folded out, preventing the belt buckles from uncomfortably poking out into the bed in the Viano Marco Polo.
Comfort is a priority with any Mercedes-Benz, and for a camper van in particular: the bed extension which forms the head section above the luggage compartment on the Viano Marco Polo can be raised in stages using a loop and a support. This feature further improves the already high level of comfort.
Additional luggage can be stowed under the bed extension – or those little souvenirs from Tuscany. Whether it is two cases of good Chianti or even a fine Brunello di Montalcino, maybe a few terracotta objects from Impruneta, there is more than enough room in the Viano Marco Polo. If you need to transport bulky items during everyday use, the users can simply position the bed extension vertically. The cargo section can simply be enlarged by moving the bench seat forward. Removing the bench seat transforms the camper van into a fully fledged van. Load securing lugs are testimony to the vehicle’s credentials as a cargo carrier.
Open stowage compartments in the roof-mounted cupboard and the laundry cupboard can be used to stow small items of luggage in the rear. Other practical features include the connection for an outside shower, the power socket in the luggage compartment as well as a collapsible shopping crate together with bracket – ideal for shopping in the market.
Roof bed: no different from your bed at home
The pop-up roof on the Viano Marco Polo fits seamlessly onto the body. When closed it is securely fastened using two locks on the left and right. It opens manually using a gas-strut mechanism or optionally at the push of a button using the highly convenient electropneumatic feature. Integrated guide rails keep the roof bellows section taut and automatically retract the bellows section as the roof closes.
There is another bed under the roof, also around two metres long. A look under the foam mattress reveals a combination of slatted base and a flexible spring system, making for the sort of night’s sleep you get at home. A positive ventilation outlet at the front and two other outlets at the side let air and light into the upper deck. A protective net prevents children or objects from falling out.
On-board systems: high-quality, efficient and fully complete
The efficiency of the Viano Marco Polo is typical of the brand down to the very last detail: the two LED lights, each with five individual bulbs inside, in the rear provide a bright light as soon as they are switched on, illuminate the interior fully and only consume minimal power – an important factor when venturing off the beaten track where facilities such as mains power are not available. Additional reading lights in the rear make reading a pleasure. Two reading lights above the bed extension as well as two lights near to the roof bed round off the lighting.
In any case, the Viano Marco Polo comes with extremely reliable on-board systems, just as you would expect. A powerful auxiliary gel battery powers the vehicle’s electrical system. The camper van also comes with a 230 V external power socket and a battery charger. The fresh-water tank has a capacity of 36 litres, the waste-water tank 32 litres. Both tanks are mounted in the interior of the vehicle to protect them against frost. Standard equipment also includes a fuel-powered auxiliary heater including timer and temperature control. The powerful heating capacity of 2.5 kW maintains the living area pleasantly warm even on cold days.
The camper van’s gas supply is limited to a gas bottle for the stove. When it needs replacing, the bottle can be accessed by swinging out the laundry compartment – one of the many clever ideas in the Viano Marco Polo. Other ingenious touches include the standard-fit power socket at the rear for a repeater lamp on the optional bicycle rack.
Passengers control and manage all the key functions on the clearly laid out control panel in the centre console on the Viano Marco Polo. The panel displays the interior and exterior temperature, battery capacity, operating status of the coolbox and the level of the water tanks. The control unit for the auxiliary heating is also integrated.
Fresh look emphasises the character of the Viano Marco Polo
Seen purely from the outside, the current generation of the Mercedes-Benz Viano Marco Polo can be recognised with its striking headlamps – picking up on the style of the current Mercedes-Benz passenger cars – featuring powerful reflector headlamps, integrated daytime running lamps, and a radiator grille with three silver painted louvres with chrome surrounds. Bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, Add-Light System and headlamp washer system are also available as an option. Single-piece lamps with black glass-look mouldings and the deep-set bumper catch the eye at the rear.
The exterior mirrors with integral indicator lamps provide a large field of vision. Wide-angle sections are integrated in the mirrors on both sides – a major improvement to safety not just while manoeuvring in Italian old towns where space is tight.
For the 2012 model year, Mercedes-Benz is freshening up the looks with the new “hibiscus red” and “dolomite brown metallic” paint finishes.
The cockpit: comfortable and user-friendly
From the driver’s and co-driver’s view from the cockpit, the Viano Marco Polo instantly appeals to the senses as a camper van. The rim of the multifunction steering wheel and the shift lever knob are trimmed in nappa leather which is pleasant to the touch. The driver operates the standard-fit trip computer via the buttons on the steering wheel. The trip computer provides information on parameters such as average fuel consumption and range. The instrument cluster with its white scale illumination is a new feature for the 2012 model year. The precise, easy-to-read instruments resemble a chronometer. All the pushbuttons are arranged clearly at the top of the centre console.
The cockpit boasts high-grade Softtouch surfaces. A decor strip emphasises the masterfully crafted character of the Viano Marco Polo. As standard, the decor strip is finished in a brown burr-walnut-wood look and is optionally available in a black burr-walnut-wood look. The comfort seats come as standard with seat angle and armrest adjustment. A host of stowage facilities and drinks holders are ideal for storing snacks and refreshments for the journey.
Thanks to extensive insulation measures, passengers enjoy low noise levels. Amenities such as air-conditioning, electrically adjustable heated exterior mirrors, electric power windows, height and angle-adjustable steering column, fog lamps and remote-control central locking all come as standard.
Clean and economical with BlueEFFICIENCY technology
A holiday close to nature without harming the environment in a camper van need not be a contradiction with Mercedes-Benz. Supreme efficiency for low emissions and fuel consumption lie at the heart of the current generation of the Viano Marco Polo. All model versions meet the EU 5 emissions standard. The drive system is not only outstandingly environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient: it also accelerates with consummate ease and boasts outstanding refinement.
The four-cylinder diesel engines with a displacement of 2.15 litres and the V6 with its 3.0 litres are at the heart of the line-up. CO2 emissions and fuel consumption achieve record-breaking low figures. Behind these figures is not just the advanced engine technology in the Mercedes-Benz four and six-cylinder engines including particulate filter, but also the BlueEFFICIENCY technology, which comes as standard on all Viano models. BlueEFFICIENCY includes on-demand ancillary units, an ECO start/stop function, gearshift display, ECO power-steering pump, low-rolling resistance tyres and – a new feature – generator management. The generator is designed to charge during braking and is governed during acceleration.
A badge below the A-pillar is testimony to BlueEFFICIENCY. Mercedes-Benz is setting new standards with this technology: no other manufacturer adopts so many measures to reduce fuel consumption as part of its standard specification. Just what you are looking for when touring through the kind of unspoilt landscapes you find in Tuscany.
Powerful, smooth-running diesel engines with four and six cylinders
The smooth-running four-cylinder diesel engines in the Viano Marco Polo cover output ranges from 100 kW (136 hp) to 120 kW (163 hp). In addition to output, torque of 310 Nm and 360 Nm respectively is also formidable. Maximum torque is already available at very low engine speeds of 1400 rpm or 1600 rpm respectively. All of which ensures good performance, smooth running and low fuel consumption. NEDC fuel consumption in the two output classes Viano CDI 2.0 and 2.2 Marco Polo is just 7.2-7.4 l/100 km.
The unique V6 CDI in the Viano CDI 3.0 Marco Polo with four overhead camshafts and aluminium crankcase delivers effortlessly superior performance coupled with superb refinement thanks to output of 165 kW (224 hp) and impressive torque of 440 Nm. The standard-fit automatic transmission teams up seamlessly with this powerplant for those who appreciate the finer things in life. The result is surprisingly low NEDC fuel consumption of 8.5-8.6 l/100 km. All four and six-cylinder diesel engines come with balancer shafts, which together with the dual-mass flywheel, guarantee superb smooth running.
The Viano 3.5 Marco Polo is available for customers who want even more, a 3.5-litre petrol engine developing 190 kW (258 hp) of output. This unit is also fitted with an automatic transmission as standard.
ECO Gear manual transmission reduces engine speed, fuel consumption and emissions
The six-speed ECO Gear manual transmission plays a large part in the good acceleration and low fuel consumption of the Viano Marco Polo. Fitted as standard with the four-cylinder diesel engines, its large gear-ratio spread reduces emissions and fuel consumption. The transmission guarantees acceleration when moving off as well as nonchalant coasting with low engine speeds and low emissions, not to mention low fuel consumption at high cruising speed.
Suspension: ride comfort, driving pleasure and handling safety
The combination of ride comfort, driving pleasure and handling safety is the hallmark of the agile suspension with rear-wheel drive on the Viano Marco Polo. It not only handles extremely safely and is manoeuvrable, but is also very comfortable. Suspension, damping and road and tyre vibration are compelling even when venturing off the beaten track.
Precise, sensitive steering comes into its own on the winding side roads of Tuscany. Overall the compact camper van always handles precisely, predictably and safely. At the same time it sets the benchmark for comfort, road and tyre vibration, and noise levels.
Whether on gravel or snow: the Viano Marco Polo with the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC is available to meet the most discerning requirements. The electronic traction system 4ETS automatically brakes the spinning wheels individually, increasing the drive torque at the wheels with sufficient traction. The all-wheel drive system 4MATIC is always combined with an automatic transmission. The result is extremely comfortable all-wheel drive even when the going gets tough: accelerate, steer and brake is all you need to do at the wheel of a Viano 4MATIC Marco Polo, the technology will look after everything else.
The exemplary safety features on the Viano Marco Polo
The Mercedes-Benz Viano Marco Polo boasts an unrivalled range of safety and assistance systems as standard. The Electronic Stability Program ADAPTIVE ESP® with anti-lock braking system ABS, acceleration skid control system ASR and Brake Assist BAS features detection of load and weight distribution. It is compulsory for all models. The brake lights automatically start flashing during emergency braking; the hazard warning lamps automatically come on once the vehicle has come to a stop.
As an option, start-off assist AAS, an automatic tyre pressure monitoring system, the parking and manoeuvring aid PARKTRONIC as well as a reversing camera enhance the extensive comfort and safety features on the Viano Marco Polo.
Versatility itself: the Mercedes-Benz Viano Fun
When flexibility is the name of the game, the Viano Fun truly comes into its own. This vehicle provides an ideal combination of everyday and leisure characteristics – a family or business vehicle that can instantly be turned into a weekend home on wheels. The outstanding versatility of the Viano Fun is presaged in the availability of both compact and long variants. The compact version comfortably houses five occupants. The front has swivelling comfort seats for the driver and front-seat passenger, with a fold-out table and seat bench for three passengers in the rear, which can be slid along, removed or used as a highly comfortable bunk. A cushioned bed extension provides valuable added sleeping space.
The long version of the Viano Fun has an additional bench seat in the middle, and is also fitted with one additional individual seat as standard equipment, or two as an option. The individual seats can be slid along a rail system, either in or against the direction of travel, and can also be removed using the convenient grips provided for this purpose.
The optional pop-up roof, in the Easy-Up electrohydraulic version if desired, makes the Viano Fun more like a mobile home. This option offers generous standing space, and a comfortable roof bed can also be added for further sleeping accommodation if required.
The “Comfort Fun” equipment package makes the Viano Fun even more comfortable to drive. Ambient lighting, cockpit with soft-touch interface and a multifunction steering wheel with trip computer, electrically operated pop-out windows for the second rear seat row, fabric cushioning in the side wall panelling, an additional heat exchanger in the rear plus a raft of other detailed features help to create a convivial on-board atmosphere.
Service that knows no limits: Europe-wide service package at no extra charge
Anyone taking a Mercedes-Benz camper van on holiday is never alone: with over 2600 service centres throughout Europe, Mercedes-Benz offers a close-knit network of workshops for vans. In an emergency the free Service 24h hotline will arrange assistance in no time at all, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Should your Viano Marco Polo actually break down, Mercedes-Benz MobilityGo will keep you mobile: the free guaranteed mobility package includes rapid on-the-spot breakdown assistance as well as the reimbursement of taxi fares, and the provision of a replacement vehicle if the repair is likely to take more than two hours. MobilityGo is valid for all Viano models for the first two years following initial registration with no limit on mileage.
Next month, an enhanced BlueEFFICIENCY package will be introduced. A new generator management system will help to reduce fuel consumption in the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Viano in September 2011.
Effective new feature
During braking, the new generator management system converts part of the kinetic energy produced into electric energy, which is then stored in the battery. Feeding this additional energy into the system means that the alternator can be restricted under certain operating conditions, as it is during acceleration, so reducing the strain on the combustion engine.
The intelligent alternator works independently and, as far as the driver is concerned, imperceptibly. The power electronics increase the alternator voltage as needed to ensure fast recharging of the battery. The technical term used here is recuperation, a process that uses kinetic energy that would otherwise dissipate into the atmosphere as heat given off from the wheel brakes.
BlueEFFICIENCY, and thus also the new generator management system, is part of the standard specification for the Viano, the Vito crewbus and for every Vito model with passenger car type approval.
Into the future with BlueEFFICIENCY
BlueEFFICIENCY was developed by Mercedes-Benz as part of its efforts to shape the future of mobility in a responsible and sustainable manner. The term encompasses a series of intelligent and innovative technologies that work together in such a way as to give noticeable reductions in fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. The scope of the efficiency package includes, amongst other elements: an economical 4-cylinder CDI diesel engine in two output variants, a state-of-the-art V6 CDI diesel engine (with automatic transmission), consumption-optimised ECO Gear 6-speed manual transmission and further fuel economy measures, depending on the model.
With the Viano Vision Pearl showcar, which will be presented at this year’s International Motor Show in September, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates what is possible in the van sector. A full leather interior in white/grey, wood floor, brushed aluminium trim, chromatically tinting windows and the Bang & Olufsen high-end sound system “BeoSound Viano” make a journey in the Viano Vision Pearl a memorable experience for up to six occupants.
The design concept is takes its inspiration from that of modern sporting yachts, with the theme of travel as an experience. The onboard W-LAN connectivity caters for the needs of modern, mobile individuals. For ther exterior design, Mercedes-Benz has for the first time in the van sector used the paint finish “magno pearl grey”, a matt, pebble-grey colour. The stylistically revised front end of the Viano with its integrated LED daytime running lamps gives the van a more sporty, powerful appearance.
The way is the goal: driving experience meeting the highest expectations
Mobility is nowadays more experience-oriented. Most people no longer travel somewhere just to relax and enjoy themselves. Car or motorcycle tours, cruises, sailing trips or trek king tours – the travelling time itself becomes part of the experience. Mercedes-Benz reflects this trend with the Viano Vision Pearl. “We want to show what can be done with the Viano. The Viano Vision Pearl is not merely a functional van, but also a stylishly designed living space,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “We have created a vehicle which combines generous spaciousness with an impressive design. Anybody who attaches importance to stress-free and at the same time stylish travel will find that the Viano Vision Pearl is the ideal companion. The interior design and technical features make the Viano Vision Pearl the S-Class among vans.”
Generous spaciousness combined with impressive interior design
The interior of the Viano Vision Pearl is not so much a functional space for passenger transport, but rather a living space.
The name Vision Pearl emphasises both the design concept and the repositioning of the Viano: the Viano of the future is the perfect travelling companion, and in this version it conveys a modern, maritime theme.
Impressive listening experience with Bang & Olufsen “BeoSound Viano” high-end sound system
The Viano Vision Pearl is rounded off by the Bang & Olufsen sound system. Mercedes-Benz has worked together with this world-renowned manufacturer of audio systems since 2009, and integrates the high-end sound systems into passenger cars such as the S-Class.
Thanks to the very high output of 1320 watts (the S-Class has 1200 watts) and 18 integrated, specially hand-built loudspeakers, the vehicle occupants are treated to an outstanding listening experience.
The Viano Vision Pearl is stylishly discreet where the outside world is concerned: as the loudspeakers are located in their own housings, very little sound volume escapes to the outside.
Most 2012 models are equipped with a more fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission and more powerful direct-injection gasoline engines, including a new turbo four-cylinder, a normally aspirated V6 and bi-turbo V8s – some with ECO Stop/Start technology.
Many 2012 models now feature a new audio headunit with a 5.8-inch color display, Bluetooth audio streaming, phonebook download, album cover art and USB port. COMAND with Navigation receives a 7-inch screen, SIRIUS weather, display of personal photos, 3D city models, intermediate navigation destinations, area avoidance and a larger 10GB Music Register.
C-Class Sedan (September)
C-Class Coupe (September)
CLS-Class Four-Door Coupe (June)
E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet
F-Cell
G-Class SUV (October)
GL-Class SUV (August)
GLK-Class SUV (July)
R-Class Crossover (August)
S-Class Sedan (July)
SL-Class Coupe/Roadster (June)
SLK-Class Coupe/Roadster
SLS AMG
Sprinter Van
The Mercedes-Benz Vito van range for commercial passenger transport and trade/services sectors has been extended to include the Vito Shuttle Van and Vito Crew Van. These models excel with their new design, economy and customer oriented practicality. There is a choice of two 4-cylinder CDI diesel engines developing 70 kW (95 hp) and 100 kW (136 hp). The Vito Shuttle is also available in a 120 kW (163 hp) variant.
The new Mercedes-Benz Vito Shuttle: comfortable, spacious and professional
Whether as a hotel courtesy car, airport shuttle or large-capacity taxi – the Vito Shuttle combines extensive comfort features with generous spaciousness and a high level of practicality. This makes it ideally suitable for professional passenger transport over short or long distances.
Comfortable atmosphere, individual-look passenger seats
Elegant light-alloy wheels, bumpers and rub strips painted in the vehicle colour – the Vito Shuttle already makes its enhanced level of comfort obvious at first sight. The passenger compartment is decidedly spacious for the comfort of its occupants. In the rear the Vito Shuttle has a two-seater bench in the first row and a three-seater bench in the second row as standard. All the seats are designed as individual seats with an adjustable backrest, and when folded down the backrests serve as tables. Alternatively the second row can also be fitted with a three-seater bench. The rear seats are equipped with three-point seat belts, Isofix child seat anchorages and luxury head restraints.
Fully-panelled side walls and roof plus carpet flooring create a homely and pleasant atmosphere in the passenger compartment. Luggage can be stowed in the generous space behind the second seat row. To increase luggage space even further, the second seat row can be fully folded down. Moreover, passengers in the Mercedes-Benz Vito Shuttle also benefit from the newly developed comfort suspension of the Vito.
Air conditioner and air recirculation with tunnel mode as standard
The driver and co-driver also enjoy superior surroundings in the Vito Shuttle, with multiply adjustable luxury seats as standard. The cockpit materials with Softtouch surfaces are pleasant to the touch, while the silver-coloured “Silverstone” decor strip emphasises the dignified overall impression. The standard “TEMPMATIC” air conditioner automatically maintains the set temperature. A recirculated air switch with an additional “tunnel mode” automatically closes any open windows and glass sunroofs (if fitted) when operated. Temperature control in the passenger compartment is via a warm/cool air duct.
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Shuttle is available in three lengths – “compact”, “long” and “extra-long”. Prices start at € 30,180 (list price excl. VAT).
The new Vito Crew: economical, functional and versatile
The Vito Crew is the vehicle of choice when it comes to outstanding economy and versatility. This robustly equipped variant of the Vito has all the positive attributes of the Vito for transporting passengers, luggage and materials. It is right in its element in the construction sector, in cleaning companies or in installation work.
Functional, hard-wearing appointments
With its high level of practicality, the Vito Crew is predestined for applications where robustness, toughness and versatility are required. Featuring the cockpit of the panel van and a hard-wearing wood floor in the passenger compartment, it is both functional and easy to clean. Passengers in the rear are seated on two 3-seater benches. Behind them there is plenty of space for luggage, materials or tools. Lashing points are provided in the roof frame to secure cargo.
The Vito Crew knows no compromises when it comes to safety features. The electronic stability programme ADAPTIVE ESP with all functions from anti-lock braking (ABS) and acceleration skid control (ASR) to trailer stabilisation in conjunction with a trailer coupling is on board as a matter of course, as are front airbags for the driver and co-driver.
Special equipment enhances its capabilities
The number of available special equipment items is limited in keeping with the Vito Crew’s typical operating profile. A trailer coupling, twin co-driver seat and all-weather tyres underline the practicality of this model. A spare wheel instead of the breakdown set is recommended if operations are frequently off the beaten track, for example on construction sites. A radio, temperature-controlled air conditioner, auxiliary heat exchanger in the passenger compartment and convenience opening/closing with infrared remote control increase the level of comfort.
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Crew is available in two lengths – “compact” and “long”. Prices start at € 21,290 (list price excl. VAT).
For the family, the new Sprinter from Brilliant Transportation is the perfect mode of transportation for cross country trips. For those of you without children, the upgraded Sprinter also makes for a great office on wheels when you have a long distance commute and a chauffeur to get you there.
Richard Fertig started Brilliant Transportation only 13 months ago with a small fleet of specially-equipped Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, and now the fast-growing company operates chauffeur-driven Sprinter-based Brilliant Vans and Mini Buses up and down the East Coast as well as in the Los Angeles area. Fertig says a large part of Brilliant’s success is due to the unusual design of their Sprinter van interiors, which feature a clean aesthetic with neutral colors and include rich hardwood floors, oversize leather seats, refrigerators, stowaway desks and built-in cabinets.
The tastefully integrated technology in the Brilliant Van includes a premium eight-speaker audio system, two 32-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite-based Direct TV and wireless headphones. In particular, business travelers appreciate its 3G Wi-Fi capability, color printers and a hands-free conference call system.
Fertig, Brilliant’s Founder and President, says, “Our versatile Sprinter vans appeal to corporate management, entertainers and well-to-do families who want to reclaim that dead in-transit time and who appreciate the size, height and overall comfort of a large van. Most NBA basketball players can stand up inside with room to spare. Additionally, our drivers are impressed with the Sprinter’s quality, reliability and especially the fuel economy of its proven clean-diesel power. Getting 20 miles per gallon in a vehicle of this size is phenomenal, which gives us a range of about 400 miles – our clients usually need to stop before we do.”
Addressing the “Are We There Yet?” Syndrome
Whether it’s helping with childrens’ homework, working out a complex business deal or eating a meal together, families and corporate travelers alike appreciate the comfort, convenience and productivity of Brilliant’s Sprinter vans. They welcome the privacy and lack of interruption that’s increasingly rare in today’s hectic work and family life.
Fertig says, “We’re introducing a new mode of travel we call Private Motoring¨ that often replaces air and rail transport. Although a number of our clients didn’t realize at first that Mercedes-Benz makes large vans, they know and love Mercedes, which makes our chauffeur-driven Brilliant Vans a natural extension of the way they choose to travel. Our New York-based Sprinters offer a distinct environment for business trips to Boston and DC, social events in Manhattan such as Lincoln Center or family weekends to the Hamptons and the Vermont ski country. With a similar range of use, our just-opened L.A. operation makes frequent trips to Las Vegas, Santa Barbara and San Diego.”
It’s Brilliant for the Bottom Line
Clients ask specifically for the Mercedes-Benz vans, and the comfort, convenience and privacy of Brilliant Vans has helped produce 100 percent repeat business. In addition, the impressive fuel economy and reliability of their Sprinters mean relatively low operating costs for Brilliant Transportation. In response to client requests for short, around-town transportation, Fertig added Brilliant Mini Buses based-on the 11-passenger Sprinter Passenger van. The company operates five Brilliant Vans and two Mini Buses based in New York City, with three Brilliant Vans and one Mini Bus in L.A.
Performers on tour, athletes and even royalty enjoy Brilliant’s Sprinter vans. Recently the entire board of directors for one of the top 50 global corporations spent four days together, touring their regional network of sales offices and warehouses utilizing Brilliant’s entire fleet of Brilliant Vans and holding a series of mobile meetings en route.
Back in November, we brought you news that German Tuner, A.R.T. was working on a package for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Viano Van. Coinciding with the Geneva Motor Show and the variety of new models and tuners, including the new Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde Edition 125, A.R.T. has also released their tuning package for the 2011 Viano.
Below are the specifics of the A.R.T. 2011 Mercedes-Benz Viano Tuning Package which is now in series production and available for purchase.
The new Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde Edition 125 embodies three terms like no other large-capacity vehicle, dynamism, comfort and sportiness. It combines an unmistakeable exterior style with select equipment and appointments as well as a dynamic drive system, making it the top model in its class. The Edition 125 Viano Avantgarde represents the perfect blend of MPV, saloon and sports car.
With its extrovert appearance the avant-garde vehicle in its class
The look of the Viano Avantgarde’s Edition 125 is certainly nothing for wallflowers; it symbolises the avant-garde in its class. It is shod in exquisite 16-spoke high-sheen 8J x 19 light-alloy wheels, whilst the high-gloss chromed exterior mirror housings plus side skirts and chrome trim on the front bumper and chromed rear trim on the tailgate highlight the special styling. The model is available in the metallic paintwork variants obsidian black or brilliant silver.
Selected equipment and appointments, sporty ambience
The stylish look continues in the interior: the driver and front passenger will feel at home on seats that are as comfortable as they are sporty, featuring the finest leather cover with a piping design, plus increased lateral support. Customers can choose from “Lugano” leather or the new exclusive “Twin DINAMICA” microfibre surface. The cockpit is equally impressive, with its white scale illumination for the instruments, and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs. The decorative strips have a black or brown burr-walnut look. There are four individual seats for the passengers in the rear and these also feature leather covers with a piping design, and are both stylish and comfortable. These seats, too, boast special padding with increased lateral support. The inserts in the side trim panels are also in leather, whilst the decorative strips sport a burr-walnut look. The individual seats mounted on rails can be moved in 25-mm steps and include integral three-point seat belts, height-adjustable head restraints and adjustable armrests.
Dynamic V6 engines, specially tuned sports suspension
The dynamic drive system featuring V6 engines from Mercedes-Benz is the perfect match for the Viano Avantgarde Edition 125’s sporty appearance. The units are unique in this vehicle class: the V6 CDI 3.0 with an output of 165 kW (224 hp) and its extraordinary traction of 440 Nm combines power with consideration for the environment. BlueEFFICIENCY technology reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to a surprisingly low level, with fuel consumption in accordance with the NEDC amounting to a mere 8.5-8.6 l/100 km – a very respectable figure in view of the vehicle size and performance. The V6 petrol engine which is available as an alternative has a displacement of 3.5 l and achieves 190 kW (258 hp), blending its torquey temperament with extremely smooth running characteristics.
Performance reaches a unique level in both variants. The V6 CDI 3.0 accelerates to 100 km/h in only 9.1 s and achieves a top speed of 201 km/h. For the V6 3.5 the figures are 10.4 s and 217 km/h.
Power transmission to the rear axle is via an automatic transmission. The Viano was already characterised by its high degree of handling safety and comfortable suspension, and it has now been particularly sportily tuned especially for the Edition 125 of its Avantgarde model, meeting the most discerning of standards when it comes to driving dynamics.
The Edition 125 of the Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde is available from the spring in two different lengths: “compact” and “long”.
Daimler AG’s commercial vehicle brands have achieved an outstanding showing in this year’s Image Awards from VerkehrsRundschau, the renowned specialist magazine for the transport and logistics sector. Daimler brands took first place in five of the six category rankings in which they were assessed. In four categories, the company even scooped a double victory to assure it of “Unchallenged Winner” status. Image Awards went to Daimler in the Trucks, Vans, Commercial Vehicle Rental and Telematics categories. A particularly gratifying outcome for the Stuttgart-based commercial vehicle specialists was its choice as the most popular commercial vehicle brand among “Young Logistics Professionals”. In a special poll of 4000 junior members of the logistics profession, the future decision-makers who are currently aged up to 32 identified the vans sporting the Mercedes star as their favorites.
Image Award 2011: 107 brands in the running
The image ranking, which VerkehrsRundschau has been conducting since 2002, centres on a representative opinion poll to survey the image and awareness levels of the leading companies offering commercial vehicles and products and services for commercial vehicle fleets. To this end, the TNS Emnid market research institute interviewed a total of 400 executive staff in Germany at transportation companies and at industrial and commercial enterprises operating their own fleets. All 107 of the brands selected for this study are among the market leaders in Germany in terms of market share and public perception.
Since last year, the image study has offered two rankings per category: the rating by the operators of small fleets (up to 10 commercial vehicles) and the image assessment by operators of medium-sized and large fleets (11 commercial vehicles and over). A brand which wins the Image Award in both rankings is considered to be the unchallenged winner of the category concerned.
Mercedes-Benz vans win both rankings
As in 2010, the Mercedes-Benz vans scooped the title of “Unchallenged Winner” once again in the Vans category. Mercedes-Benz was also the winner in this category throughout the previous years. This year, the operators of small fleets awarded 812 out of a possible total of 1000 image points to the Mercedes vans. The vote of approval from the operators of medium-sized and large fleets was even more resounding, with 823 image points going to the Sprinter, Vito and Vario product range.
Award for Mercedes-Benz trucks
The commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz also lead the field in the “top-flight” Trucks category. The trucks in the permissible gross vehicle weight category of 3.5 t and over claimed the Image Award with 796 points from operators of fleets of up to ten commercial vehicles, who account for around 80 percent of German transport companies.
Two Image Awards for Mercedes-Benz Charterway
The Image Award also went to Stuttgart for both segments of the Rental/Leasing category. Following on from last year’s success, Mercedes-Benz Charterway remains the number one among transport companies, forwarding agents and internal works transport operators, making it once again the “Unchallenged Winner” among the providers of rental and financing services in connection with the acquisition of commercial vehicles.
The three product lines Charterway Service, Charterway Service Leasing and Charterway Rental even improved their image rating among the operators of small, medium-sized and larger fleets alike in comparison to the previous year. In the ranking by operators of up to ten commercial vehicles Mercedes-Benz Charterway received 768 image points (previous year: 746), while operators of fleets of eleven commercial vehicles or more awarded 752 image points (previous year: 722).
Daimler FleetBoard: Unchallenged Winner among telematics systems
As in the previous year, the telematics solutions from Daimler FleetBoard to enhance the economic efficiency of commercial vehicle fleets took first place in the Telematics category once again in 2011. The operators of small fleets awarded 713 image points and the operators of fleets of eleven commercial vehicles and over awarded 762 image points, assuring the Daimler subsidiary of the Image Award in both rankings.
This result affirms Daimler FleetBoard’s strategy aimed at further expanding its current product offering. As the most recent example of this expansion course, FleetBoard is now also available ex-factory as an original equipment item for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This means that a highly efficient telematics system from Daimler FleetBoard is now also available to operators of van fleets as a means of reducing operating costs through optimised job and route management and as a facility to lower maintenance and repair costs.
Mercedes-Benz emerges as most popular brand
Mercedes-Benz also emerged from the Image Awards as the most popular commercial vehicle brand. This finding was based on a representative opinion poll conducted on this year’s special topic of “Brand perception among young logistics professionals”. Mercedes-Benz had already claimed first place in the special category last year, when the focus was on the environment.
Over 4000 future specialists and junior executives from the fields of transport, haulage and logistics were interviewed for the Image Award 2011 in the special category of “Young Logistics Professionals”. On the subject of commercial vehicles and fleets, the young logistics professionals of up to 32 years of age chose Mercedes as their favourite truck brand from among 107 contenders. The truck brand from Stuttgart received 897 out of a possible total of 1000 image points. The all-round success of the Daimler brands on all fronts was sealed by the top ranking in the second segment of this special category. The future decision-makers in the area of commercial vehicles and fleet accessories awarded 871 image points to the van brand bearing the Mercedes star.
Daimler AG (stock-exchange symbol DAI) today presented its preliminary and unaudited results for the year 2010 for the Group and the divisions.
Daimler achieved Group EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of €7,274 million in 2010 (2009: minus €1,513 million), bringing the year to a very successful close.
“Daimler managed an excellent comeback last year,” stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the annual press conference in Stuttgart. “Our goal now is to maintain the level we have reached over the long term and to further improve it wherever possible. We have the right products, technologies and strategies to do so.”
Based on current estimates, Daimler expects EBIT from the ongoing business in 2011 to surpass the level of 2010 significantly.
Financial year 2010
After the prior year had been severely impacted by the financial and economic crisis, earnings in all divisions developed much more positively than had been anticipated at the beginning of 2010. This was due not only to the general market recovery, but in particular to the attractive product range as well as efficiency gains that were implemented. There was an opposing effect on EBIT from increased research and development expenditure.
Special items affecting earnings in the years 2009 and 2010 are listed in the table on page 11 and in the descriptions of the individual divisions.
The positive development of EBIT led to a significant improvement in net profit to €4,674 million in 2010 (2009: net loss of €2,644 million). Earnings per share improved accordingly to €4.28 (2009: loss per share of €2.63).
After Daimler decided not to pay a dividend last year, more than 40% of the Group’s net profit attributable to Daimler shareholders is now to be distributed. On this basis, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board have decided to recommend to the shareholders for their approval at the Annual Meeting to be held on April 13, 2011 that a dividend of €1.85 per share be paid out. The total dividend payout will then amount to €1,971 million.
Daimler sold a total of 1.9 million vehicles in 2010. The level of the prior year, which had been very low due to the global economic and financial crisis, was thus surpassed by 22%. Group revenue increased by 24% to €97.8 billion; adjusted for exchange-rate effects, there was an increase of 19%.
The free cash flow of the industrial business increased by a significant €2.7 billion to €5.4 billion. Compared with the prior year, the net liquidity of the industrial business grew by €4.7 billion to €11.9 billion.
The size of the workforce increased slightly due to stronger demand. As of December 31, 2010, the Group employed 260,100 people worldwide (2009: 256,407). Of that total, 164,026 were employed in Germany (2009: 162,565). The number of apprentices was 8,841 (2009: 9,151).
In view of the Group’s positive economic development in the year 2010, Daimler’s Board of Management and General Employee Council have agreed that the special efforts made by the workforce in 2010 will be rewarded with a high performance participation bonus of €3,150 per entitled employee of Daimler AG. In the anniversary year of the invention of the automobile, each employee worldwide will also receive a special bonus of up to €1,000, depending on his or her length of time at the Group.
Investments to safeguard the future
Daimler increased its research and development expenditure last year to €4.8 billion (2009: €4.2 billion). Research and development spending totaled €3.1 billion at Mercedes-Benz Cars (2009: €2.7 billion) and €1.3 billion at Daimler Trucks (2009: €1.1 billion).
The main areas of research and development work were new, extremely fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly drive technologies. This included working on the optimization of conventional drive technologies and enhancing their efficiency through hybridization, as well as on electric vehicles with fuel-cell drive and battery power. Another focus was on new safety technologies.
Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment amounted to €3.7 billion (2009: €2.4 billion). The focus was on investments in new vehicle models and new drive systems. €2.1 billion of the total volume of capital expenditure was in Germany.
The divisions in detail
Mercedes-Benz Cars, comprising the brands Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart, increased its unit sales by 17% to 1,276,800 vehicles last year (2009: 1,093,900). As the structure of unit sales shifted toward higher-value models, revenue increased at the significantly higher rate of 29% to €53.4 billion.
The division achieved EBIT of €4,656 million (2009: minus €500 million) and its return on sales was 8.7% (2009: minus 1.2%).
This excellent result is mainly a reflection of the high volume of unit sales following the decline in demand for cars in the previous year. Above all in the United States and China, the Mercedes-Benz Cars division was able to increase its unit sales significantly because of its attractive product range. Other factors with a positive impact on earnings were an advantageous product mix, improved pricing and increased efficiency. An additional positive effect came from lower charges from the compounding of non-current provisions (2010: €140 million; 2009: €657 million). Compared to the prior year, there was higher research and development expenditure.
Daimler Trucks increased its unit sales by 37% to 355,300 vehicles (2009: 259,300). Revenue increased by 31% to €24 billion.
The division’s EBIT amounted to €1,323 million (2009: minus €1,001 million) and its return on sales was 5.5% (2009: minus 5.5%).
This earnings improvement is primarily due to the good development of unit sales with contributions from all major markets (Europe, United States, Latin America and Japan). Earnings were boosted in 2010 also by cost-reducing actions, in particular from the repositioning of Daimler Trucks North America and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, although the implementation of those programs still had a negative impact on earnings of €40 million in 2010 (2009: negative impact of €340 million).
In addition, EBIT for 2010 includes expenses relating to the reassessment of long-term warranty and service obligations as well as higher expenditure for research and development. There was an opposing, positive effect from income of €160 million recognized at Daimler Trucks North America in connection with the adjustment of health-care and pension plans. Lower charges from the compounding of non-current provisions also had a positive impact (2010: €58 million; 2009: €241 million).
Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 224,200 vehicles (2009: 165,600). Revenue of €7.8 billion was also a significant increase compared with the prior year (2009: €6.2 billion).
The division achieved a significant earnings improvement with EBIT of €451 million (2009: €26 million). Its return on sales of 5.8% was well above the prior-year figure of 0.4%.
The positive earnings trend resulted primarily from increased unit sales, especially in Western Europe, the United States and China, and also from better pricing. Charges from exchange-rate effects were more than offset by sustained efficiency improvements.
Daimler Buses posted unit sales of 39,100 complete buses and bus chassis (2009: 32,500). Revenue amounted to €4.6 billion (2009: €4.2 billion).
The division increased its EBIT to €215 million (2009: €183 million) and achieved a return on sales of 4.7% (2009: 4.3%).
This earnings development mainly reflects the substantial increase in deliveries of bus chassis in Latin America. There were opposing effects from lower unit sales of complete buses in Western Europe and North America.
Daimler Financial Services’ worldwide contract volume of €63.7 billion was 9% above the prior-year level. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, it grew by 3%. New business increased compared with the prior year by 17% to €29.3 billion. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, the increase was 11%.
This division also significantly improved its earnings to €831 million (2009: €9 million). Its return on equity was 16.1% (2009: 0.2%).
The increase in earnings after crisis year 2009 was mainly caused by lower expenses for risk provisions and higher interest margins. There were opposing, negative effects in 2010 from expenses of €82 million related to the restructuring of business operations in Germany. An additional factor was that the division disposed of non-automotive assets that were subject to leasing agreements, resulting in an expense of €9 million (2009: expense of €100 million).
The reconciliation of the divisions’ EBIT to Group EBIT reflects the proportionate share of the results of the equity-method investment in EADS, other corporate gains or losses, and the effects on earnings of eliminating intra-group transactions between the divisions.
Daimler’s proportionate share of the net loss of EADS amounted to an expense of €261 million (2009: income of €88 million). The sharp deterioration is mainly due to the additional provisions recognized at EADS in its 2009 consolidated financial statements in connection with the A400M military transport aircraft (minus €237 million). Negative exchange-rate effects were also a factor.
The income of €30 million recognized at corporate level in 2010 (2009: expense of €486 million) primarily reflects a gain of €265 million on the sale of Daimler’s 5.3% equity interest in Tata Motors and pre-tax income of €218 million related to the positive outcome of a legal dispute involving Daimler AG in October 2010. It also includes expenses totaling €125 million for the anniversary bonus and €88 million for the capital increase for the Daimler and Benz Foundation as well as additional expenses in connection with legal proceedings in 2010.
Outlook
According to current estimates, worldwide demand for motor vehicles will continue to grow this year, but no longer as dynamically as in 2010. The global car market could expand by 5 to 7%, thus reaching a new record volume. The Asian emerging markets and in particular the Chinese market will continue to play a major role. But the outlook remains mixed for the triad markets of Western Europe, the United States and Japan. The US market should continue its recovery, while the best that can be expected for car sales in Western Europe is that they remain at the prior-year level. In Germany, however, significant growth is now to be expected following the double-digit market decline in 2010. On the other hand, the Japanese car market is unlikely to equal its artificially high level of 2010, which was boosted by state incentives for car buyers.
Worldwide demand for commercial vehicles in 2011 will probably feature sharply differing market developments in the triad markets and in the other regions. Market recovery is expected to accelerate in the triad of Western Europe, the United States and Japan, especially in the segment of medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks. Market growth of 20 to 25% is anticipated for the NAFTA region. Demand for trucks in Europe should increase by 15 to 20%. Following the expiry of state incentive schemes in autumn 2010, moderate volume growth is expected for the Japanese market for medium and heavy-duty trucks. Demand for trucks outside the triad will be primarily determined by the Chinese market. Since the state incentive program expired in China at the end of 2010, demand is expected to decline this year.
In view of the continuation of generally good market prospects as well as numerous model changes and new products, Mercedes-Benz Cars anticipates further growth in unit sales by the Mercedes-Benz brand. Thanks to its up-to-date and competitive model range, the division will profit also in the year 2011 from the strong demand for the
E-Class models and from the market success of the S-Class. Another factor is that the new version of the CLS coupe has been delivered to customers since late January 2011. As of March, the new generation of the C-Class sedan and station wagon and the new SLK roadster will provide additional sales impetus. The C-Class coupe will follow in June, the new version of the M-Class will be launched in September, and the roadster version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will follow in the fourth quarter. In November, the new B-Class will be launched – the first model of four new vehicles in the compact-car segment.
Furthermore, the highly efficient four, six and eight-cylinder engines and the eco-start-stop technology will be introduced in additional models. With the new generation of the C-Class, for example, the C 220 CDI will be available with fuel consumption of just 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions of 117 g/km.
For the smart brand, due to the full availability of the new-generation smart fortwo, unit sales are anticipated in the magnitude of the year 2010.
Daimler Trucks assumes that it will increase its unit sales substantially again in 2011. Expectations for unit sales are based on the numerous new products, including the new Atego and the Atego BlueTec Hybrid, both of which were voted Truck of the Year 2011. The new version of the Axor is the first truck of its class in the upper performance range in Germany to be fitted with Mercedes PowerShift transmission as standard equipment. PowerShift optimizes fuel consumption and enhances driving comfort. BLUETEC technology, which has already proven its worth for several years in Europe, was successfully introduced in new engines in the United States and Canada in 2010. The division assumes that with these new engines, it will profit even more from the replacement of aging vehicles that is expected in North America. In November 2010, the all-new Canter light-duty truck was launched, setting new standards in terms of economy, environmental compatibility, safety and design. The Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid is Number 1 for fuel efficiency among trucks up to 5 tons in Japan, and is now available also in Australia, Ireland and Hong Kong.
The wide range of safety technology was expanded for Mercedes-Benz trucks with the second generation of Active Brake Assist, which can initiate an emergency braking procedure also before stationary obstacles if required.
At Mercedes-Benz Vans, the positive sales trend should continue this year. On the product side, demand will be boosted by new generations of the Vito and Viano and additional BlueEFFICIENCY models. Production in Argentina will change over by the end of the year 2011 to the current Sprinter model generation, thus significantly upgrading the product range in South American markets. Furthermore, the Sprinter will be launched in China this year. By means of local production, it is intended to significantly increase unit sales in that market with great potential for the future. In this context, the 50:50 joint venture Fujian Daimler Automotive will produce a bus version of the Sprinter in addition to the Vito and Viano starting in 2011.
Daimler Buses assumes it will maintain its globally leading position for buses above 8 tons with innovative and high-quality new products. The division expects to achieve unit sales similar to the high levels of 2010. But due to the limited scope for growth of its key markets of Western Europe and Latin America, any increase will be rather moderate.
Daimler Financial Services anticipates further growth in 2011 in the financing and leasing business as well as with insurance and fleet management. The division is continually expanding its product offering and combines individual financial services elements into attractive mobility solutions.
The bassumes that its total unit sales will rise and that revenue will grow at a more moderate rate in 2011. The growth will probably be driven by all the automotive divisions.
These growth opportunities are connected with challenges. The year 2011 will feature high expenditure for new products and technologies and to penetrate new markets. The revival of the world economy is likely to lead to rising prices for oil and other raw materials that are important for Daimler. On the exchange-rate side, volatility will remain high. However, the risks arising for Daimler’s business from severe fluctuations in exchange rates have already been largely hedged for 2011.
On the basis of current assessments, Daimler expects to post EBIT from the ongoing business in 2011 significantly in excess of the level of the year 2010.
In the coming years, the earnings of the individual divisions and thus of the entire Group are to be improved, and return targets are to be achieved on a sustainable basis. The Group intends to profit to an above-average extent from the anticipated growth of automotive markets.
As of the year 2013, Daimler aims to achieve on a sustained basis an annual average return on sales for its automotive business of 9% over market and product cycles. This is based on target returns on sales for the individual divisions of 10% for
Mercedes-Benz Cars, 8% for Daimler Trucks, 9% for Mercedes-Benz Vans and 6% for Daimler Buses. For the Daimler Financial Services division, the Group has set a target return on equity of 17%.
In the years 2011 and 2012, Daimler will spend a total of €20.4 billion on research and development activities (€10.3 billion) and investment in property, plant and equipment (€10.1 billion). This is approximately €5.3 billion more than in the years 2009 and 2010. Among other things, substantial amounts are planned for the expansion of production capacities in the United States, China, India and Hungary.
Against the backdrop of rising production volumes and the targeted productivity advances, Daimler assumes that the total number of persons employed by the Group will increase slightly in 2011.
Table: Earnings in both years were affected by special items, which are listed in the following table:
| In millions of euros | 2010 | 2009 |
| Daimler Trucks Adjustment of health-care and pension plans Repositioning of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation Repositioning of Daimler Trucks North America |
160
-3 -37 |
–
-245 -95 |
| Daimler Financial Services Repositioning of business activities in Germany Sale of non-automotive assets |
-82
-9 |
–
-100 |
| Reconciliation Gain on the sale of shares in Tata Motors Income connected with the settlement of a legal dispute Anniversary bonus and allocation to Foundation Losses relating to Chrysler |
265
218 -213 – |
–
– – -294 |
| A400M military transport aircraft* | -237 | – |
* Expenses relating to the EADS A400M military transport aircraft are not included in the calculation of EBIT from the ongoing business.
Yet another premiere is being celebrated by the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL. Hitting the streets outside of Germany is the first van with an electromotive drive system to be produced by a car manufacturer ex factory. As of today the first five vehicles are out and about on Spanish streets. The vehicles were handed over to the customer during a special ceremony at the Mercedes-Benz production location for the
Vito E-CELL in Vitoria. In the presence of Basque Prime Minister López, the Head of Production for Mercedes-Benz Vans, Dr Heinrich Weiss and Jose Luis Lopez-Schummer Trevino, President of Mercedes-Benz Spain, presented the five Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL vehicles to Augustine Markaide, President of the supermarket chain Eroski. “The Vito E-CELL, which is now fully integrated in our series production, represents a completely new phenomenon. As far as process management is concerned, all the hurdles were overcome in record time!”, commented Dr Heinrich Weiss as the official hand-over of the keys took place.
Emission-free vans are becoming increasingly widespread in everyday road traffic
Having been put to use so successfully in the conurbations of Berlin and Stuttgart, the Vito E-CELL is now set to prove its suitability for everyday applications in Spain. Thanks to the Vito E-CELL, electromotively driven – and thus locally zero-emission, not to mention virtually silent – vans are now a reality in the Basque Country’s streetscape. So the Basque Country is not just the production location for these electromotive vehicles – it is also their area of operation. Further customers in major European cities will be taking delivery of their Vito E-CELL vehicles over the coming months.
Vito E-CELL: full-function van for everyday operations
The Vito E-CELL is not an experimental vehicle – it is a full-function van for day-to-day applications. It is the first van of its kind to roll off the series-production line, just like any other Vito. In close consultation with its customers, Mercedes-Benz has implemented the prerequisites for an electromotively driven van: with a payload of around 900 kilograms plus a load compartment with no restrictions on use whatsoever the Vito E-CELL assumes all the usual transportation duties of any vehicle in its class.
Up-to-the-minute powertrain engineering, powerful lithium-ion batteries
The Vito E-CELL’s batteries are stored in a space-saving manner beneath the load-compartment floor. They are state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries which are particularly powerful and have a high current capacity. They have an overall capacity of 36 kWh, sufficient for a range of some 130 kilometres. This means that the Vito E-CELL meets the average customer requirements for vans – around 50 to 80 kilometres per day – and still has a generous reserve.
The Vito E-CELL’s electric motor has an output of 60 kW and a torque of 280 Nm. As the full torque is available right from the start in the case of electric motors, the Vito E-CELL boasts a dynamic performance at the same high level as the latest diesel engines. Taking into consideration the Vito E-CELL’s usual area of operation and to facilitate the highest battery range possible, the van’s top speed is limited to 80 km/h.
Following on from the small series of 100 Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL vehicles which are now out and about in Berlin und Stuttgart, this ceremonial hand-over officially marks the start of the next series – encompassing over 2000 units.
For the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz VIANO Van that came out in the fall of 2010, the German Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist A.R.T. has put together a large number of interesting components in a new program. The complete VIANO Tuning Program is scheduled to become available beginning January 2011.
Program options include:
Environmental friendliness, efficiency, and passenger safety will be the focus of new developments for Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches. At the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicles, in Hall 14/15 Sept. 23-30, 2010, five travel coaches and transit buses will be presented to the public. Among them will be the innovative, zero-emission Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 77 for urban use which will be making its debut at the auto show.
New Sprinter City 77: innovative flagship urban bus joins the minibus line-up
This minibus is XXL: Mercedes-Benz caps its urban minibus range with the new Sprinter City 77. The three-axle 8.7-metre-long urban bus is based on a conventional Sprinter up to the B-pillar. The bus body with twin rear axle and continuous low-floor area is an exclusive in-house development for the Sprinter City 77. Thanks to its capacity of 40 passengers it plugs the gap between the Sprinter City 65 and the Citaro K. The new Sprinter City 77 is around a metre longer than the previous City 65 flagship model and – depending on the equipment options – boasts ten extra passenger seats. The gross vehicle weight of 6.8 t facilitates the high passenger-handling capacity.
Two outward-swinging double doors, which are operated using an innovative drive concept, and a kneeling function along with the stepless low floor throughout ensure fast passenger flow and convenient boarding and alighting. Depending on the configuration a wheelchair bay with a ramp is available at the front or rear. The bright interior with its large windows and large glass doors is spacious and attractive.
The Sprinter City 77 has a wheelbase of 4100 + 990 mm. The air-sprung rear axles feature 235/65 R 16 C single tyres all-round. The relatively short wheelbase and the sleek design make the minibus extremely manoeuvrable: the width of the separately mounted body is just 1.99 metres, making the largest member of the Mercedes-Benz minibus line-up likewise ideally suited to tight inner city areas. Moreover, it is also an ideal solution as a shuttle bus for airports or trade fairs, as well as for rural services.
A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with the most powerful version of the four-cylinder diesel engine provides the platform. Its output of 120 kW (163 hp) and maximum torque of 360 Nm delivers appropriate performance. The Sprinter City 77 is among the cleanest on the block with its EEV emissions standard certification. Power transfer comes courtesy of a convenient fully automatic 5-speed transmission as standard.
With the first battery-electric van to be introduced ex factory by any automobile manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter in drive technology for light commercial vehicles. Thanks to its emission-free drive system, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is ideally suitable for inner-city operations and for particularly environmentally sensitive areas. The Vito E-CELL operates with no emissions and almost silently, and imposes no restrictions on the operator in terms of load capacity and payload. Production of a small series of 100 Vito E-CELL vans has already commenced this year, and a further 2000 units are planned from 2011.
Quiet, emission-free driving in environmentally sensitive areas
Deliveries to inner-city areas and pedestrian precincts, operations in areas with rigorous access restrictions, in-company transport in production shops, delivery access via underground car parks – the quiet, emission-free Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL with its purely battery-electric drive system is the perfect answer to the question of delivery operations in environmentally sensitive areas. Moreover, the Vito E-CELL is not only able to carry out its transport assignments in areas with high exhaust pollution, but also where there are noise restrictions protecting e.g. health resorts or in residential areas with night-time driving bans.
In response to the growing environmental burden in the densely populated areas of Europe and other regions of the world, the relevant authorities are increasingly introducing vehicle access restrictions in the form of environmental zones based on emissions or with time constraints. Emission-free vehicles with electric drive are usually exempted. Accordingly the Vito E-CELL is eminently suitable for environmentally sensitive areas, both in commercial and public service operations, and in many areas of the service sector including e.g. parcel and postal deliveries, maintenance work and for other service providers.
There are also numerous incentive schemes for the purchase of emission-free vehicles. These are available in many countries and take widely different forms, ranging from direct purchasing subsidies to significant reductions in toll charges or vehicle taxes and exemption from access restrictions.
The Vito E-CELL is also considerably less expensive to operate. A comparison between the current diesel price and the cost of electrical power shows a factor of four to seven. This means that for the same driving distance, a Vito powered by an internal combustion engine incurs four to seven times the costs of a Vito E-CELL recharged overnight with low-priced off-peak power.
In densely populated areas the future belongs to electric drive
Experts are convinced that in highly populated areas with dense infrastructures, where exhaust and noise pollution levels are high, the future belongs to electrically powered vehicles. Additional incentives include a sense of responsibility on the part of businesses and not least the public relations effect of “clean” drive systems.
Another motivating factor for the development of vehicles with electric drive is the conservation of finite resources such as oil, as well as the political will for greater independence where energy supplies are concerned.
As a pioneer in automobile development and production, Mercedes-Benz has the stated aim of safeguarding and shaping the mobility of the future on a sustainable basis with innovative technologies. The focus is on ecologically justifiable drive technologies such as those collectively termed BlueEFFICIENCY at Mercedes-Benz. The clear objective is emission-free driving, and Mercedes-Benz Vans has come another step closer to this goal with the Vito E-CELL.
All good things come in threes: vans with diesel, gas and battery- electric drive
The Vito E-CELL rounds off the wide range of environmentally compatible vans bearing the Mercedes star to form an ecological trio catering for practically all conceivable operations from specialized short-range to extreme long-distance transport. The lineup has continuously further developed and now almost perfected internal combustion engine systems, natural gas and LPG drive systems, and now purely electric drive.
Mercedes-Benz benefits from a wealth of experience
The Vito E-CELL is based on the wealth of experience in the field of electric drive systems that Mercedes-Benz has accumulated over the decades. As early as 1972 Mercedes-Benz developed its first electric van, the LE 306, which was soon followed by a first large-scale trial with the Mercedes-Benz 307 E. Further experimental vehicles followed with the Mercedes-Benz 308 E and the electrically powered Sprinter, and these are still in customer operations under real conditions today, for example on the North Sea island of Heligoland.
The next step to series production was however always foiled by inadequate battery technology. Apart from insufficient long-term durability, this limited both the payload and operating range to the extent that professional operation in larger numbers was not a viable proposition.
The way is now being cleared by modern lithium-ion batteries with a high energy density, supported by intelligent charging strategies and innovative driving strategies that were not possible in the past. The company is driving the development of new battery systems ahead at full speed, by conducting research and cooperating with partners. The Vito E-CELL will benefit from this when the impending series production commences.
Vito E-CELL: no restrictions in load capacity and payload
With its operating range of around 130 km, the Vito E-CELL meets average customer requirements for a daily van mileage of approx. 50-80 km with a considerable safety margin. At the same time the van’s load compartment is usable with no restrictions whatever. With a payload of around 900 kg depending on equipment specifications, the Vito E-CELL is in every respect a fully-fledged van. Thanks to a top speed of 80 km/h it is also suitable for the short inter-urban stretches that frequently occur in densely populated areas and suburbs.
Externally it is only the decor of the Vito E-CELL that distinguishes it from the familiar appearance of the conventionally powered Vito, as the body is completely unmodified. Even the charging socket has found its place behind the flap usually concealing the fuel filler pipe in the lower section of the B-pillar on the left side of the vehicle. The ground clearance and angle of approach/departure are also practically unchanged compared to the Vito with an internal combustion engine. The Vito E-CELL is therefore equally suitable for facilities with steep ramps and approaches.
Powerful electric motor with high drive torque
In place of the usual four and six-cylinder engines plus peripheral units of the Vito, the engine cover of the Vito E-CELL conceals the electric motor and its ancillary systems. The electric motor, a permanent synchronous unit, develops a continuous output of 60 kW and a peak output of 70 kW. Maximum torque is 280 Nm.
As the full torque is inherently available right from the start in electric motors, the Vito E-CELL delivers dynamic performance at the familiar, high level of modern diesel engines. In view of the typical operating profile for the Vito E-CELL, and in the interests of maximising the operating range of the batteries, the van’s top speed is limited to 80 km/h.
Power is transferred to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. This efficient unit was likewise developed specifically for the Vito E-CELL.
Vito E-CELL: the only Vito with front-wheel drive
To save installation space for the batteries, and in contrast to the other models in the Vito series, the vehicle has front-wheel drive. With the exception of a few suspension components adopted from the Vito 4×4, the front-wheel drive system was specially developed for the Vito E-CELL.
In addition to the electric motor, other components such as the power electronics, transformer and the mains charging unit are accommodated beneath the engine cover. The 12 V onboard network was also completely newly developed.
High-capacity lithium-ion drive batteries
The batteries are housed under the load compartment floor, where the propshaft and fuel tank are usually located in the Vito. The batteries are modern lithium-ion units with a high performance and load capacity, a high energy density and a nominal voltage of 360 volts. The total capacity of the batteries is 36 kWh, of which 32 kWh are available to power the vehicle. This proportion of around 90 percent is an outstandingly high figure compared to other electrically powered vehicles.
The battery pack of the Vito E-CELL consists of 16 modules with a total of 192 cells. Each of these cells is monitored by a battery management system. To avoid unnecessary power losses and the risk of damage caused by unauthorised persons when the vehicle is parked, a safety system (“Watchdog”) deactivates the high-voltage network when not in use.
Water-cooled electrical components
The batteries, electric motor, converter and other electrical components of the drive system are water-cooled. Unlike an internal combustion engine, an electric motor does not reach its greatest efficiency at around 100 degrees Celsius, but at approx. 30 degrees Celsius. To ensure pleasant conditions for the driver during the colder months of the year despite these comparatively low temperatures, the Vito E-CELL is equipped with a heater booster. This is connected to the high-voltage network and the standard heating circuit in the instrument panel.
Full battery at the charging station after six hours at most
The batteries are charged at charging stations provided to the pilot customers by the two energy providers EnBW and Vattenfall. These companies are participating in the customer trials as cooperation partners in the Berlin (Vattenfall) and Stuttgart (EnBW) regions. The charging stations are installed on the business premises of the fleets involved. The charging socket of the Vito E-CELL is connected to the station using a standard seven-pin charging cable.
The batteries of the Vito E-CELL are charged at 380/400 volt mains. The onboard chargers have an output of 6.1 kW. The charging time depends on the charge status of the batteries, and takes a maximum of six hours if the batteries are fully discharged.
Using an additional charging cable with a conventional domestic power plug, the Vito E-CELL can also be charged from the 230 volt mains if required. This may become necessary if the van is not at the charging station provided when left overnight. In this case the charging time is doubled, however.
Intelligent charging technologies lower CO2 emissions and costs
The design of the Vito E-CELL incorporates intelligent charging technology to reduce both CO2 emissions and costs. The necessary charging intervals are defined with the customer depending on the van’s operating profile.
The Vito E-CELL features a Smart Charge Communication Unit (SCCU) as standard, making intelligently controlled charging possible. This ensures that within the defined period, the van is charged precisely when the energy providers supply “green” electrical power at off-peak, overnight rates. The result is a further, drastic reduction in CO2 emissions within the overall energy balance of the Vito E-CELL (“Well to Wheel”), quite apart from the vehicle’s zero-emission performance during actual operation.
Moreover, at the multifunction steering wheel and in the instrument cluster, the charging units can be individually set to charge at times when not only ecologically generated, but also low-cost electrical power is available. This can also be done centrally on a PC by the scheduler. The SCCU also allows parallel charging of several vehicles in a fleet, without overloading the mains network.
Apart from this, the ability to charge the batteries at the company’s own charging station or power sockets opens up intriguing perspectives: no more time-consuming trips to the filling-station, and if tours are cleverly planned neither the drivers nor fleet management need to worry about energy supplies for the vehicles.
Schedulers can control Vito E-CELL assignments according to charge status
Vehicle availability can also be calculated depending on the charge status of the batteries. A scheduler is able to call up the charge status and therefore the available operating range of the Vito E-CELL on his computer screen, and precisely determine whether a particular van is able to carry out an additional assignment at short notice.
All these intelligent control possibilities protect the environment while optimising customer benefits individually in widely differing businesses and operating conditions. At the same time these complex controls reduce loads on the batteries as far as possible, prolonging their operating life.
Recuperation: braking energy converted into electrical power
In the interests of maximising the operating range of the Vito E-CELL, its batteries are also charged by energy recuperation while on the move, i.e. by converting braking energy into electrical power. Recuperation not only takes place when operating the brakes, but also on the overrun and when reducing speed. All this is in interaction with the new ESP® system.
Based on the long-wheelbase Vito
The Vito E-CELL is based on the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Vito with a standard roof. The long wheelbase of 3200 mm provides the necessary underbody space for the traction batteries. With a permissible gross vehicle weight of 3050 kg, the approx. 900 kg payload of the Vito E-CELL is surprisingly high.
This large transport capacity is firstly due to the relatively compact and therefore light lithium-ion battery, which has a high energy density compared to conventional accumulators. Secondly, it is not least due to intelligent integration of the electric drive system into the bodyshell.
The Vito E-CELL is available with both left and right-hand drive.
Extensive and practically oriented standard equipment
The equipment level of the Vito E-CELL has in no way suffered from the efforts to achieve the highest possible payload. In addition to the heater booster, all 100 Vito E-CELL vans have an extensive range of standard equipment plus a heatable luxury seat for the driver, a multifunction steering wheel, heatable and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, a two-seater bench for the co-driver, two sliding doors, a tailgate and the “CARGO” equipment package.
A reversing camera with a monitor in the cab’s COMAND system and the reverse warning device ensure that when manoeuvring at slow speed, the driver is able to recognise obstacles and also quickly notice pedestrians who have not heard the quiet Vito E-CELL approaching.
Active and passive safety at the highest level
The Vito E-CELL has the same, exemplary level of safety as all Vito models with an internal combustion engine. In the event of a collision the batteries are protected by a crash element. When the airbag control unit is triggered, the high-voltage technology is automatically deactivated. The Vito E-CELL has already impressively demonstrated its high safety standard in several crash tests. And should a Vito E-CELL be involved in an accident, the emergency services have special recovery guidelines available to them.
Active safety is also at the acknowledged, high level found in every Vito with an internal combustion engine. Like all other Vito models, the Vito E-CELL features a fully-fledged Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with all the familiar functions, plus a driver airbag and double co-driver airbag.
Mercedes-Benz has ensured a high level of operating safety with extensive trials. To this end, more than a dozen Vito E-CELL vans have undergone extended test drives both on enclosed test tracks and on the roads. Whether in the icy conditions of Scandinavia or the heat of Spain – the Vito E-CELL has already demonstrated its high everyday practicality during the trial phase.
The Vito E-CELL is produced on the same line as the conventional Vito
In contrast to other electrically powered vans, Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to produce the Vito E-CELL on the same lines, together with all the other Vito models, in its Vitoria plant. This further demonstrates that the Vito E-CELL is by no means an experimental vehicle or a prototype, but rather a van on its way to series production.
In view of the completely different drive configuration including a front-wheel drive module, the battery pack under the load compartment floor and the omission of many components, numerous changes and special training for all the personnel involved were necessary in production.
100 Vito E-CELL vans with fleet operators in two cities
Mercedes-Benz will deliver 100 Vito E-CELL vans to customers between August and December this year. Half each will be taken into operation in Berlin and Stuttgart, and further units will be used in the Basque region of Spain early next year, i.e. on the homeground of the Vito E-CELL. The main areas of operation are therefore concentrated on densely populated areas. These not only differ in size but also in topographical terms, ensuring different operating conditions and therefore additional findings.
The customers concerned are predominantly fleet operators. Both the fleet managers and drivers are being intensively trained in the control and operation of the Vito E-CELL, and carefully familiarized with its special features. This also extends to separate operating instructions for the Vito E-CELL.
The usual high quality of service thanks to well-trained personnel
Both in Berlin and Stuttgart, two workshop partners will be responsible for servicing the Vito E-CELL. Their personnel are undergoing thorough theoretical and practical training as a multi-stage process. Service specialists will also be on hand during the start-up phase in case unforeseen problems occur. The European emergency call center operated by Mercedes-Benz in Maastricht is also able to answer queries.
Mercedes-Benz is ensuring the customary, high quality of service processing for the Vito E-CELL. The van absolves the standardised workshop processes, and is e.g. diagnosed using the existing diagnostic systems. This further demonstrates the practically-oriented configuration of the Vito E-CELL with a view to series production.
Innovative business model: monthly user charge rather than purchase price
The customer trials for the Vito E-CELL are scheduled for four years and roughly 80,000 km per vehicle, after which the 100 vans will be returned to Mercedes-Benz. For this reason the customers are not purchasing their vehicles, but rather renting and financing them by paying a monthly user charge which also includes all the servicing for the Vito E-CELL. Ideally the 100 Vito E-CELL vans will cover a total of around eight million kilometres in roughly one dozen fleets during the customer trials – which will provide an unrivalled wealth of experience for the further development of electric drive systems in light commercial vehicles.
Financial support from the federal government
The Vito E-CELL project is being supported from the public purse in various ways. Within the support period, Vito E-CELL customers are able to use the van at no charge for several months. The financial resources are being provided by the German federal government as part of its Economic Support Package II, in which the Federal Ministry of the Environment and Nature Conservation is supporting the development and industrialisation of the Vito E-CELL. This applies to the production and testing of experimental vehicles, as well as the 50 vans for the customer trials in Berlin.
While large fleet operators are the main concern in Berlin, the focus of the customer trials to be held in parallel in Stuttgart is on both tradesmen and fleets. In this case the Federal Ministry of Transport, Construction and Urban Development is supporting customer operations in the Stuttgart pilot region for electro-mobility.
In Spain the Basque government is assisting with the construction of the special production facilities for the Vito E-CELL.
In parallel with the practical trials, Mercedes-Benz will evaluate data such as route profiles, operating ranges and other parameters in order to tailor electrically powered vehicles even more precisely to customer requirements.
Next step: series production of the Vito E-CELL starting soon
Mercedes-Benz will have built the small series of 100 vans at the Vitoria plant by the late autumn of this year. The next steps are already scheduled: a further 2000 units are already planned from 2011.