Updated Vito, Valente break cover

Mercedes-Benz has welcomed an update of its Vito van and Valente people-mover to Australia, with the revised offerings unveiled today in Sydney.

While carrying over the same chassis, the new Vito now comes with new power, refreshed styling, enhanced safety technology and, for the first time, the addition of a front-drive model, which is now the new entry point for the van range.

The new line-up of panel vans and crew cabs also heralds the departure of the V6 engine from the Vito range which, with 165kW and 440Nm, previously laid claim to the title of Australia's most powerful van.

A revised crumple zone for improved pedestrian safety sees all Vito models increase in length by 132mm, giving three available lengths of 4895mm, 5140mm and 5370mm. Van variants are available in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase formats, while the crew cab is only available in the medium wheelbase.

Internal volumes range from 3.6 cubic metres for the Crew Cab to 5.8 cubic metres for the short-wheelbase van and 6.9 cubic metres for the long-wheelbase van.

Two new engine platforms are available across the Vito range, which was last updated in 2011. The Euro 5 emissions-compliant OM622 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel is available solely in the entry-level front-drive Vito 111 CDI, while the Euro 6 OM651 – a 2.2-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel – is available in three power ratings in the Vito's traditional rear-drive format.

As such, the entry-level Vito 111 CDI's variable-geometry turbo produces a claimed 84kW and 270Nm, while the twin-turbo models – the Vito 114 BlueTEC, 116 BlueTEC and 119 BlueTEC – produce 100kW/330Nm, 120kW/380Nm and 140kW/440Nm respectively.

In the main the figures compare favourably to the previous line-up, which featured ratings of 70kW/250Nm, 100kW/310Nm, 120kW/360Nm and 165kW/440Nm.

Mercedes-Benz says the new Euro 6 OM651 power options offer a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions of up to 30 per cent, while the Euro 5 OM622 delivers a fuel efficiency gain of up to 19 per cent and an emissions reduction of up to 20 per cent, based on the comparable out-going models.

The OM651 engine adopts selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions technology, which sees AdBlue injected into the exhaust gas flow. Harmful nitrous gases and the AdBlue are then converted into harmless water and nitrogen after passing through the catalytic process. Mercedes-Benz says one tank of AdBlue should suffice for 9000 to 10,000 kilometres, with complimentary top-ups available from any Mercedes-Benz dealership. The adoption of the system represents a first for vans in this segment, and cuts CO2 emissions drastically.

The Vito 111 CDI is only available in a short-wheelbase format with six-speed manual transmission, while the Vito 114 CDI BlueTEC (short or long-wheelbase) is fitted with the same transmission as standard but can be optioned up to 'Benz's 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed auto, complete with shift paddles. The auto is standard equipment on the Vito 116 CDI BlueTEC and Vito 119 CDI BlueTEC, both available in short and long wheelbases.

    2015 Vito pricing (incl. GST, plus ORCs):

    111CDI SWB Van manual, $37,140
    114BlueTEC SWB Van manual, $41,940
    116BlueTEC SWB Van auto, $47,340
    119BlueTEC SWB Van auto, $50,400

    111CDI LWB Van manual, $40,440
    114BlueTEC LWB Van manual, $45,240
    116BlueTEC LWB Van auto, $50,640
    119BlueTEC LWB Van auto, $53,700

    114BlueTEC Crew Cab auto, $51,390
    119BlueTEC Crew Cab auto, $57,190

    Valente BlueTEC auto, $56,380

Beyond the lean, green performance, Mercedes-Benz says the Vito can still hold its own when it comes to lugging a load. The manufacturer says the entry-level 111 CDI has a maximum payload limit of 1285kg. That's an 11 per cent increase over the out-going model, it says, putting it right up the sharper end of the medium-van field.

A standard GVM of 3050kg applies across the range, while vans can be plated with an optional 3200kg GVM to unlock additional payload.

A 1910mm roof height is also standard, meaning typically cramped multi-storey car parks won't pose any problems.

The Vito's safety credentials are strengthened with Mercedes-Benz's latest ESP9i stability control program. This packages traditional elements like anti-lock braking, traction control and electronic brake force distribution with hydraulic brake assist, rollover mitigation, hill start assist, load adaptive control and more.

Vitos fitted with the factory's tow bar will also receive Trailer Stability Assist.

Driver and passenger airbags are standard, likewise auto headlights, Crosswind Assist (which brakes wheels independently to mitigate side gusts) and Attention Assist (which detects and warns of excess driver fatigue).

Optional safety systems, meanwhile, include Collision Prevention Assist (which warns if the driver is at risk of rear-ending a vehicle ahead), Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist, while the optional Active Parking Assist aids the driver in parallel and 90-degree parking situations.

Also optional is the model's LED Intelligent Light System, which boasts brighter and longer-lasting LED headlights and a dynamic light function that automatically varies the angle of beam to better illuminate the road in a variety of circumstances. Mercedes-Benz says it’s the first manufacturer to offer such a system in a van.

The Vito's twin-under-the-skin people-mover sibling, the Valente, has also come in for attention. Based on the same platform, the Valente can accommodate up to eight people – nine with an optional front bench seat – and is powered by the OM651 twin-turbo in the sole 120kW rating. The engine is said to deliver fuel economy gains of up to 23 per cent over its predecessor.

The model comes standard with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission and is priced at $56,380 plus on-roads.

Available only in the medium wheelbase, the model's two rear bench seats can be rearranged via a slide rail system, or removed altogether.

The model brings passenger-car comfort and premium cockpit materials to an otherwise utilitarian LCV platform, but at a more modest price point than its luxury sibling, the $85,500 (plus on-roads) V 250, which recently replaced the brand's Viano model. Click here for the V 250 launch report on sister site, carsales.com.au.

Like the Vito, the Valente also has an extended front end for added pedestrian safety and so is 132mm longer. It also benefits from the updated ESP9i stability program and broad suite of safety technologies both standard and optional, and a full complement of airbags. The Valente can also be optioned with the LED Intelligent Light System.

Both the Vito and the Valente are produced at Mercedes-Benz's Vitoria plant in Spain's Basque region, and are on sale in Australia now.

Mercedes-Benz sold 511 examples of its Vito in the first half of this year, giving it a 5.9 per cent share of the 2.5-3.5t LCV market (FCAI VFACTS data). It will be looking to guide those figures north with its updating offering, but it faces fresh competition in the form of Ford's new Transit Custom and Renault's new Trafic, in addition to the dominant Asian players, Toyota's HiAce and Hyundai's iLoad.

Check back soon for the full launch report on the new Mercedes-Benz Vito and Valente.