MERCEDES-BENZ VITO 110CD1
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The io2hp Vito from Mercedes-Benz is versatile enough to convert from a seven-seater people-shifter to a van. Bryan Jarvis reports on a nifty little number.
III ercedes-Benz boosted its Vito range earlier this year with three new diesel variants. Soon afterwards we road tested the top-of-the-range 122hp master blaster.
Now we've sampled the rozhp version, albeit a rr oCD I TL7 seven-seater—not a full test but we did take it for a little spin—to Miinchengladbach 'n back.
In a nutshell, Merc's Vito TL7 is a tad more versatile than any van model. It shares a common body structure and, naturally, trim levels are a bit better with two rows of seats across the back, all secured with simple twistlocks, six on the centre row, nine at the rear.
But the seven-seater can either be used as a people-shifter or, with the seats removed, as a van. Yes, the floor covering could grace any posh kitchen but the floor area arid body cube is nearly the real McCoy.
Two sliding side doors give good access and move on easy but robust mechanisms, while the 2m high tailgate with its substantial hinges and struts can also shelter the loader. The threshold is uncluttered and a reasonable 526mm high unladen.
Whatever its form, the latest diesel Vitos are a massive improvement over the original, naturally aspirated io8D, especially our TroCDI.
Instead of a rather stifled 79hp (58kW), the
charge-cooled 2.15-litre OM 61ELA is extremely lively, its pace and economy resulting from its Bosch common rail direct injection (C D I) fuel system.
Common rail means a common, high-pressure fuel supply (in the order of 2o,000 psifr,35o bar), electronically selected ignition timing with appropriate fuel deliveries.
In practical terms, the engine is much quieter on cold starts and normal suburban runfling but under full load it produces a quite .5 distinctive growl.
• i Our rroCDI had Merc's standard five-speed , ES synchromesh gearbox with its extremely well L' spaced-out ratios. Mounted on the dash, the >y_ stubby gear lever looks odd but it's very practi..c cr 0 cal, and the driver can move easily across the cab.
First gear handles most steep starts, while the two top overdrive cogs (0,97:1 and 0.72:r) feel perfectly suited to fast inter-urban travel or motorway journeys.
The front independent suspension uses McPherson struts and the rear has wishbones with coil springs. This contributes to an excellent ride but it manoeuvres easily too, thanks to the nicely weighted power steering.
Despite having less than 5,000 miles under its belt, the TL7's engine felt flexible and really torquey. But it's not only swift to accelerate; when emergency stops are needed, disc brakes all round provide really superb stopping power.
Ours was a fairly basic specification with none of the usual test van refinements like electric windows, mirrors or roof. Still, the interior was well put together, the seats cornfm-table and the instrumentation well laid out and functional.
At night the pleasant backlighting dims slightly when the lights are switched on.
ON THE ROAD
Our Continental venture began like a Jules Verne novel, with a journey beneath the sea courtesy of Furotunnel.
The Vito is just i.89m high so it could mix with cars, but we went with the coaches for safety's sake. The trip takes under 30 minutes and was a quiet, uneventful trip—not a french chasseur in sight.
Half-laden for the outward leg and onethird full on returning, our 9io-mile journey ran from Calais to Miinchengladbach via Brugge, Gent, Antwerp, Findhofe.n, Roermond and Wegberg.
Speed limits varied from 50km/h in French built-up areas to a free rein on German autobahns. Nevertheless, it returned an extremely complimentary 36.4mpg not had at all for such a bulky van. And we were able to verify the perverse variations in EC diesel prices.
In the UK Shell dery cost 78.9p/litre at Godstone near the 1V125 and 75.8p at Horley, Surrey. Next highest was Calais, at 49.3p, then 48.5p at Roermond, Holland, but Belgian diesel cost 45.8p. Amazingly-, German dery worked out the cheapest at 45.1p/ litre.
OUR VERDICT
The Vito TL7 handles sweetly, feels safe and is well finished off inside and out.
Yes, a few items are lacking, like full steering adjustment and cup holders, but the new common rail diesels really have transformed the Vito into a vehicle that's extremely driverfriendly.
It's also easy on the wallet, but perhaps less so in Britain.