Whether the road leads to the Jazz Fest, Macufe, Durban July or regular use of lugging people, Merc’s new V-Class looks set to accommodate you. Phuti Mpyane tries out the new bus.

There has been much activity from Mercedes-Benz of late. Just recently the latest performance C-Class was launched into this market and in a few weeks time we will probe the new SLS replacement – the AMG GT. In the meantime the company has just begun selling this – the new V-Class.

Essentially this is a new Viano – Merc’s largest people carrier. It’s a completely new car from the ground up and is built on a chassis that’s similar to the current C-Class. This equates to extra refinement in the driving department, a crucial aspect that’s expected in a car a few Rands shy of a Bar. This is the base price of the V250 CDI BlueTech. The car is available in an all diesel line up of a V200 and V220 CDI and in famous Mercedes aesthetic tastes such as Avant-garde and Classic.

Exactly who is being courted here?

In the last few years we have seen the reawakening of the MPV segment; previously bludgeoned to death by the SUV rave of the last decades. The MPV has always been the better option as a family car. The sizes in the segment, the unparalleled practicality and the way in which the modern day family is spending its leisure time can be attributed to this return to good days.

Mercedes-Benz has positioned the V-Class at a multi-faceted lifestyle. Travels which range from journeys with the family; be it the school run, trip to a coastal town to even as a luxury shuttle for VIPs. Just on the specifications, the furniture and it’s wealth of space leaves no doubt it has all of these tasks licked.

What’s in the box?

Though still a boxy shape, the V-Class benefits from aerodynamic prowess through smoothed-out corners and edges, enhancing its fluidity on the move and, thus rescuing high fuel consumption bills and lessened wind noise. But key changes are abound inside, from the dashboard layout that is similarly styled to the C-Class, with the upper end materials and design cues, right through to the avalanche of functions. Expect the usual caper of luxury amenities from a German sedan and you have an idea of what you will get to play with.

The V-Class can be had with many options such as 8 seats at the back. Or you can delete the centre chairs and turn it into a luxo-barge with four rear chairs and a convenience table in the middle – great for some beverage management. You now also have the joy of choosing between a few colour schemes for the seats, while a powered tail-gate is the standard order of things, with the option of a convenient glass access feature too.

Life In A Bus…

Is a mantra used by many bus-loving individuals out here in the RSA. In the case of the new V-Class this life spells class, high end features such as CrossWind Assist, which counters any freaky encounters with strong winds, and much more from the Mercedes Benz safety catalogue. A quick squirt around the Midrand area revealed the engines are no slouches and though they are not rubber burners, the going is strong enough to tackle undulating roads and the odd rush to somewhere.

Initial Verdict

Speaking to the portfolio manager at MB Commercial, the division which has thus far been responsible for the sales of Viano, the car has been in demand of late. We agree. The number of people showing up with a Viano loaded with all sorts of goodies at social events is evidence of this occurrence. The V-Class continues on the virtues of the previous model but is now filled with more specifications, enhanced everything, added agility and a very handsome look.

V 200 CDI Standard                                         R 695 981

V 220 CDI Standard                                        R 726 875

V 250 BlueTEC                                                R 782 416

V 220 CDI AVANTGARDE                               R 949 175

V 250 BlueTEC AVANTGARDE                         R 984 196

 

 

Die neue V-Klasse – Interieur, Cockpit, Zentraldisplay, TecDays 2013 The new V-Class – Interior, Cockpit, Central Display, TecDays 2013

Die neue V-Klasse – Tisch-Paket, Leder Lugano seidenbeige, Zierelemente Holzoptik Esche, dunkelbraun, glänzend The new V-Class – Table package, silk beige Lugano leather, high-gloss dark brown wood-look ash trim

Die neue Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse – V 250 BlueTEC, Exterieur, cavansitblau metallic The new Mercedes-Benz V-Class – V 250 BlueTEC, Exterior, cavansite blue metallic

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