The revised Vito has received car-like tweaks in a bid to conceal its van origins. Is it better than the VW Caravelle?
- WHAT'S NEW?
At the Bangkok motor show earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz launched the revised Vito with some design tweaks and several other alterations to make it more car-like to sit and drive in.
Apart from the restyled front lamps, now incorporating LED and xenon tech, there's a new steering wheel inside Merc's biggest people-carrier. For added luxury, the rear air-con system is also fitted with automatic climate control.
Technically speaking, the Vito hasn't changed much. The 150hp 2.2-litre diesel-turbo engine and five-speed automatic remain (forerunners to those used in the C- and E-classes), although there's a new fixed-rate coil spring set-up in place of air suspension matrix.
This may sound like taking a step back in the tech race, but Mercedes points out that the former's suspension has been employed because Vito users in Europe either use the vehicle to carry cargo or people. In other words, load capacity varies, hence the need for self-levelling sus.
But here in Thailand, a three million baht van is certainly not used for transporting plumbers' equipment _ a Vito is treated like a luxury van by big families, top businessmen and politicians. That's why a single, comfort-oriented setup is all what's needed. What's more, premium van buyers in Thailand sometimes don't need 11 seats and modify them with fewer chairs.
Just don't forget to register the vehicle as a private car if there are less than eight because Land Transport rules allow only commercial status (blue-coloured numbers and cheaper rates) for vans that seat more than eight.
Which basically means that Mercedes is hungry for customers of the Volkswagen Caravelle, a highly popular van whose successful foray in the Thai market has, for years, left German executives amazed.
Similarly specified, the Vito is around 400,000 baht cheaper than the Caravelle. As well, the Merc's price tag has risen by 100,000 baht to 2.8 million baht when compared to the older Vito.
The new steering wheel helps out on a car-like feel.
WHAT'S COOL?
The decision to give the Vito a comfort-oriented suspension is quite sensible because many owners are usually chauffeur-driven around town, where the ride is supple and absorbs bumps in a compliant manner.
The unchanged motor also has more than enough grunt from low to medium speeds. And combine this with a light steering, the Vito is quite an easy handler if you take the wheel from time to time.
Eleven seats don't mean that you're going to be shortchanged for space like in a Ssangyong Stavic or Kia Carnvial. Whichever perch you're nestled in this long wheelbase Vito, there's ample comfort. Take way some seats _ which buyers are most likely to do _ and you get the kind of freedom you wish for.
Lastly, vans were never supposed to looked good from the outside due to the need to make such bodies as functional as possible (read: squared-off corners).
But the Vito looks quite stylish for a van with those slanted front lights, curvy rear window panes and tapered tail lamps. The Caravelle, in comparison, looks utterly staid.
WHAT'S NOT?
If the Vito is loaded with people _ as Life did during testing _ the suspension could prove a little too soft. Over high speed undulations, there is lot of body movement.
You now crave for an adjustable suspension because, hey, it's a luxury van we're talking about here with a three-pointed star on the bonnet. It would have been forgivable, had we been talking about a 1.5 million baht H1 from Hyundai.
Allowing users to vary the suspension would have been nice. Compensating for handling that would get soggy near the limit are a host of active safety features governing the brakes and chassis. However, the Vito's straight-line composure on smooth highways is commendable.
And when it comes to outright performance, the Caravelle still holds the upper hand with its updated powertrain that includes a punchy 180hp 2.0-litre diesel-turbo and slick-shifting six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
And since the Vito is a cumbersome vehicle to handle in parking spaces, it would have been nice if there was a rear-view camera, because there isn't one at the moment.
BUY OR BYE?
A 400,000 baht advantage may not necessarily be so appealing for buyers with three million baht to spend. But if you're talking about value for money (the H1 is supposed to be in the mass-market league, OK?), the Vito is thumbs up over the Caravelle.
And given the Vito is most likely to be used in a restrained manner _ modestly sped and gently steered _ the comfort-biased chassis should make a lot of sense for many potential buyers.
But as a van concept with the ability to take 11 anywhere, the Vito is slightly compromised against the Caravelle with a less punchy engine and composed ride.
The Vito only comes recommended, if you know exactly how the vehicle will be used.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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