Mercedes Debuts Front, Rear, AWD Vito Van

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz Vans unit has unveiled a redesigned Vito midsize commercial van that offers front drive, rear drive and all-wheel drive options and an array of diesel powerplants that can deliver as much as 41 mpg.

The front-drive iteration is positioned as a relatively low-cost and highly efficient van for light delivery jobs. Mercedes designed the rear-drive powertrain for jobs involving heavy cargos and/or trailering. The AWD version is intended for use on unpaved roads and in other demanding driving conditions.

The front-drive Vito is being offered in 2.5-, 2.8- and 3.05-ton capacities. Buyers have a choice between two transversely mounted 1.6-liter diesels rated at 88 hp (170 lb-ft of torque) and 114 hp (200 lb-ft of torque). Each engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

The Euro 6-compliant powerplants feature four valves per cylinder, double overhead cams, low-friction cylinder coatings and a 1,600-bar fuel injection system with seven-hole piezoelectric injectors. A virtually square bore/stroke ratio makes the engines relatively high revving. Both come equipped with exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel particulate filter and oxidation catalytic converter.

Rear- and all-wheel-drive versions of the Vito offer a choice of three more powerful 2.2-liter 4-cylinder diesels. All meet Euro 6 standards and are upgraded versions of engines Mercedes-Benz uses in most of its car line.

The base unit makes 136 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. Brawnier variants deliver 163 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque or 190 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The latter engine adds Mercedes' BlueTEC system, which includes selective catalytic reduction and urea injection, to achieve Euro 6 emission limits.

The 2.2-liter engine features a long-stroke design for high pulling power. A 1,800-bar common rail injector includes seven-hole solenoid injectors. Al three variants are equipped with a two-stage turbocharger, two counter-rotating balance shafts and a two-mass flywheel. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard; a 7-speed automatic is optional.

Mercedes say all engines in the new Vito are about 20% more fuel efficient than the units in the previous-generation van. The rear and all-wheel-drive engines all are available with the company's BlueEfficiency package. It adds automatic stop-start, an additional buffer battery, more efficient alternator and fuel pump management, lower-rolling-resistance tires and underbody aero panels.