Mercedes-Benz Viano
Encyclopedia
The Mercedes-Benz Viano is a multi-purpose vehicle
based on the popular Mercedes-Benz Vito
commercial panel van. The first generation went on sale in 1996; it is presently in its second generation, having undergone a number of changes - including a new name - in 2004. In 2010 Mercedes-Benz gave the Viano a facelift with revised front and rear bumpers and lights. The interior was also improved with upgraded materials and new technology added.
The Viano is available in both rear and four wheel drive configurations and comes in three lengths, two wheelbases and a choice of four modern petrol and diesel engines (as well as two specialist tuned models) coupled to either a six-speed manual or five-speed TouchShift automatic transmission.
With all the seats removed the Viano Extra-Long can accommodate up to 4610 litres (162.8 cu ft) of cargo with a payload of 930 kg. It can tow a 2500 kg (5,512 lb) braked trailer and a 750 kg (1,653 lb) unbraked trailer - made easier by the adjustable self-levelling rear suspension fitted to higher specification models.
Rear-wheel drive allows the Viano to have a smaller turning circle than front-wheel drive rivals; Compact and Long models have a turning circle of 11.8 m (38.7 ft) whereas the Extra-Long model turns in 12.5 m (41 ft).
Fresh water and waste water tanks are accessible from outside the vehicle, while the gas-cylinder bay is hidden inside an interior cupboard. To cope with the extra power demands an auxiliary battery is included under the front passenger seat. Up to six optional individual seats can be fitted for maximum MPV flexibility, but only four seats (including the two-seater bench mentioned above) can be used when in camping mode.
The Marco Polo was designed and created in partnership with Westfalia
just like Volkswagen camper vans were until 1999. It was then Daimler AG bought a controlling stake in the conversion company meaning Volkswagen had to continue converting their commercial vehicles into camper vans alone.
(ESP), traction control system
(ASR), anti-lock braking system
(ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution
(EBV) and brake assist
(BAS) are all fitted as standard. If BAS is activated, the hazard lights flash to warn following motorists that the Viano driver is undertaking an emergency braking manoeuvre.
Each seat is fitted with a three-point seatbelt with belt tensioner and force limiter and an adjustable head restraint.
The Viano underwent the Euro NCAP car safety tests in 2008 and achieved the following ratings:
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program
(ANCAP) also tested the Viano and gave it a score of 32.66 points out of 37. It is the only van in Australasia to achieve the maximum five-star rating.
emission standards. From 2010 the engines were fitted with BlueEFFICIENCY technology and were made Euro 5
compliant. Not all engines are available in all markets.
Next Green Car - an organisation that analyses vehicle emissions and rates them from 0 (cleanest) to 100 (dirtiest) - analysed all the emissions from six drive trains. These Green Ratings are listed below, starting with the cleanest:
The 4MATIC has a raised ride height which has improved approach, departure and breakover angles (20°/28°/19° respectively, versus 14°/22°/14° in conventional rear-wheel drive models). The additional weight of the all-wheel drive comes to just 80 kg.
for the Mercedes-Benz
Service and Kwikpower team
2009: The Viano 4MATIC claims victory in the SUV category in the 19th edition of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles
with Irishwoman Jeanette James as pilot and Frenchwoman Anne-Marie Ortola as navigator.
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
based on the popular Mercedes-Benz Vito
Mercedes-Benz Vito
The Mercedes-Benz Vito is a light van produced by Mercedes-Benz in the Basque town of Vitoria, Spain. From the name of the city Vitoria came the name Vito. The name was also derived from an exemplary, long-standing employee, Vito Rosenstein...
commercial panel van. The first generation went on sale in 1996; it is presently in its second generation, having undergone a number of changes - including a new name - in 2004. In 2010 Mercedes-Benz gave the Viano a facelift with revised front and rear bumpers and lights. The interior was also improved with upgraded materials and new technology added.
The Viano is available in both rear and four wheel drive configurations and comes in three lengths, two wheelbases and a choice of four modern petrol and diesel engines (as well as two specialist tuned models) coupled to either a six-speed manual or five-speed TouchShift automatic transmission.
Practicality
Six or seven seats come as standard in most markets, however the Viano can be turned into an eight seat people carrier by fitting two 3 seater benches in the rear. All rear seats slide in 1 inch (2.5 cm) increments, recline and can be turned to face one other. They can also be folded down or removed completely to increase the load capacity. A rear folding table is fitted as standard in six- and seven-seat layouts. The rear seats cannot, however, be folded into the floor like some rivals.With all the seats removed the Viano Extra-Long can accommodate up to 4610 litres (162.8 cu ft) of cargo with a payload of 930 kg. It can tow a 2500 kg (5,512 lb) braked trailer and a 750 kg (1,653 lb) unbraked trailer - made easier by the adjustable self-levelling rear suspension fitted to higher specification models.
Rear-wheel drive allows the Viano to have a smaller turning circle than front-wheel drive rivals; Compact and Long models have a turning circle of 11.8 m (38.7 ft) whereas the Extra-Long model turns in 12.5 m (41 ft).
Marco Polo
In some countries a camping derivative is available - known as the Marco Polo - which comes with a fully fitted galley (including gas stove, sink, 40 L fridge and numerous storage areas), multi-function wardrobe and a sliding bench seat in the rear which can be turned into a large air-sprung bed. A pop-up roof is also standard and can be raised - electrically, as a cost option - to provide full standing height inside. In this pop-up roof an additional bed can be fitted meaning the Viano can sleep up to four individuals.Fresh water and waste water tanks are accessible from outside the vehicle, while the gas-cylinder bay is hidden inside an interior cupboard. To cope with the extra power demands an auxiliary battery is included under the front passenger seat. Up to six optional individual seats can be fitted for maximum MPV flexibility, but only four seats (including the two-seater bench mentioned above) can be used when in camping mode.
The Marco Polo was designed and created in partnership with Westfalia
Westfalia
Westfalia is the designation of various specially converted Volkswagen camper vans. It is named after Westfalia-Werke, the contractor that built the vans, which is headquartered in the town of Rheda-Wiedenbrück located in the Westphalia region of Germany....
just like Volkswagen camper vans were until 1999. It was then Daimler AG bought a controlling stake in the conversion company meaning Volkswagen had to continue converting their commercial vehicles into camper vans alone.
Safety
Two head-on airbags and (on higher trim levels) front side airbags are fitted as standard, with front window airbags available as an option. Electronic stability controlElectronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
(ESP), traction control system
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
(ASR), anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
(ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution ', Electronic brakeforce limitation ' is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc...
(EBV) and brake assist
Brake assist
Brake Assist is a generic term for an automobile braking technology that increases braking pressure in an emergency situation. The first application was developed jointly by Daimler-Benz and TRW/LucasVarity...
(BAS) are all fitted as standard. If BAS is activated, the hazard lights flash to warn following motorists that the Viano driver is undertaking an emergency braking manoeuvre.
Each seat is fitted with a three-point seatbelt with belt tensioner and force limiter and an adjustable head restraint.
The Viano underwent the Euro NCAP car safety tests in 2008 and achieved the following ratings:
| Euro NCAP | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant: | |
| Child occupant: | |
| Pedestrian: |
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program
Australasian New Car Assessment Program
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program is an automobile organisation operated by the governments and motoring organisations of Australia and New Zealand to give consumers coherent results on the protection given by vehicles in front and side impact collisions...
(ANCAP) also tested the Viano and gave it a score of 32.66 points out of 37. It is the only van in Australasia to achieve the maximum five-star rating.
| ANCAP | Rating |
|---|---|
| Safety: |
Security
The Viano was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation and achieved the following ratings:| NVSR | Rating |
|---|---|
| Theft of car: | |
| Theft from car: |
Powertrains
All of the Viano's engines prior to 2010 conformed to Euro 4European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
emission standards. From 2010 the engines were fitted with BlueEFFICIENCY technology and were made Euro 5
European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
compliant. Not all engines are available in all markets.
| Years | Model & Transmission | Engine | Power | Torque | Top Speed | 0-62 mph | Economy | Emissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | ||||||||
| 2004–2007 | Viano 2.0 CDI | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 109 PS | 290 N·m (214 lb·ft) | 99 mph (44.3 m/s) | 17.6 s | 31.7 mpgimp | 235 g/km |
| 2004–2007 | Viano 2.0 CDI TouchShift | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 109 PS | 290 N·m (214 lb·ft) | 98 mph (43.8 m/s) | 17.3 s | 31.7 mpgimp | 235 g/km |
| 2007–2010 | Viano 2.0 CDI | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 116 PS | 290 N·m (214 lb·ft) | 99 mph (44.3 m/s) | 17.6 s | 34.9 mpgimp | 215 g/km |
| 2007–2010 | Viano 2.0 CDI TouchShift | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 116 PS | 290 N·m (214 lb·ft) | 98 mph (43.8 m/s) | 17.3 s | 32.8 mpgimp | 229 g/km |
| 2010- | Viano 2.0 CDI | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 136 PS | 310 N·m (229 lb·ft) | 108 mph (48.3 m/s) | 14.1 s | 38.7 mpgimp | 192 g/km |
| 2010- | Viano 2.0 CDI TouchShift | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 136 PS | 310 N·m (229 lb·ft) | 107 mph (47.8 m/s) | 13.1 s | 34.5 mpgimp | 216 g/km |
| 2004–2010 | Viano 2.2 CDI | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 150 PS | 330 N·m (244 lb·ft) | 112 mph (50.1 m/s) | 14.9 s | 34.9 mpgimp | 215 g/km |
| 2004–2010 | Viano 2.2 CDI TouchShift | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 150 PS | 330 N·m (244 lb·ft) | 111 mph (49.6 m/s) | 13.0 s | 32.8 mpgimp | 229 g/km |
| 2010- | Viano 2.2 CDI | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 163 PS | 360 N·m (266 lb·ft) | 117 mph (52.3 m/s) | 12.1 s | 38.7 mpgimp | 192 g/km |
| 2010- | Viano 2.2 CDI TouchShift | 2.2 L, 4 in-L | 163 PS | 360 N·m (266 lb·ft) | 113 mph (50.5 m/s) | 11.1 s | 34.5 mpgimp | 216 g/km |
| 2006–2010 | Viano 3.0 CDI TouchShift | 3.0 L, 6 in-V | 204 PS | 440 N·m (325 lb·ft) | 123 mph (55 m/s) | 9.2 s | 30.7 mpgimp | 244 g/km |
| 2010- | Viano 3.0 CDI TouchShift | 3.0 L, 6 in-V | 224 PS | 440 N·m (325 lb·ft) | 125 mph (55.9 m/s) | 9.1 s | 32.8 mpgimp | 226 g/km |
| Petrol | ||||||||
| 2004–2007 | Viano 3.2 V6 TouchShift | 3.2 L, 6 in-V | 218 PS | 305 N·m (225 lb·ft) | 119 mph (53.2 m/s) | 11.0 s | 23.2 mpgimp | 294 g/km |
| 2007- | Viano 3.5 V6 TouchShift | 3.5 L, 6 in-V | 258 PS | 340 N·m (251 lb·ft) | 127 mph (56.8 m/s) | 9.3 s | 23.7 mpgimp | 284 g/km |
| n/a | Viano 4.4 Brabus TouchShift | 4.3 L, 6 in-V | 325 PS | 430 N·m (317 lb·ft) | 143 mph (63.9 m/s) | 7.2 s | n/a | n/a |
| n/a | Viano 6.1 Brabus TouchShift | 6.0 L, 8 in-V | 426 PS | 621 N·m (458 lb·ft) | 152 mph (68 m/s) | 6.2 s | n/a | n/a |
Environmental impact
EcoTest analysed the emissions from the EU4-compliant 2.0 CDI 116 PS and 2.2 CDI 150 PS manuals and the EU5-compliant 2.2 CDI 163 PS TouchShift; the results are below:| (68/100) | 2006–2010 | 2.0 CDI Manual | 116 HP | Diesel |
| (64/100) | 2010 - on | 2.2 CDI TouchShift | 163 HP | Diesel |
| (46/100) | 2004–2010 | 2.2 CDI Manual | 150 HP | Diesel |
Next Green Car - an organisation that analyses vehicle emissions and rates them from 0 (cleanest) to 100 (dirtiest) - analysed all the emissions from six drive trains. These Green Ratings are listed below, starting with the cleanest:
| 53 | 2010-on | 2.0 CDI Manual | 136 HP | Diesel |
| 53 | 2010-on | 2.2 CDI Manual | 163 HP | Diesel |
| 59 | 2010-on | 2.0 CDI TouchShift | 136 HP | Diesel |
| 59 | 2010-on | 2.2 CDI TouchShift | 163 HP | Diesel |
| 62 | 2010-on | 3.0 CDI TouchShift | 224 HP | Diesel |
| 68 | 2006–2010 | 3.0 CDI TouchShift | 204 HP | Diesel |
| 70 | 2004–2010 | 2.0 CDI TouchShift | 116 HP | Diesel |
| 71 | 2004–2010 | 2.0 CDI Manual | 116 HP | Diesel |
| 71 | 2004–2010 | 2.2 CDI Manual | 150 HP | Diesel |
| 75 | 2007–2010 | 3.5 V6 TouchShift | 258 HP | Petrol |
| 79 | 2004–2010 | 2.2 CDI TouchShift | 150 HP | Diesel |
4MATIC
Four-wheel drive is available on models fitted with 4 cylinder diesel engines. In normal operation on surfaces that provide good grip the Viano 4MATIC transfers driving power to the wheels in a 35:65 split between the front and rear axle. The 4MATIC system doesn't have mechanical differential locks. Instead the all-wheel drive system teams up with the electronic traction system 4ETS, and if one or more wheels loses traction on a slippery surface, 4ETS automatically applies brief pulses of brake pressure to the spinning wheels while increasing the torque to wheels with good grip.The 4MATIC has a raised ride height which has improved approach, departure and breakover angles (20°/28°/19° respectively, versus 14°/22°/14° in conventional rear-wheel drive models). The additional weight of the all-wheel drive comes to just 80 kg.
4MATIC in motor sports
2006: The Viano acts as support vehicle on the Dakar RallyDakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road automobile race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation...
for the Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
Service and Kwikpower team
2009: The Viano 4MATIC claims victory in the SUV category in the 19th edition of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles
Rallye Aicha des Gazelles
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is a rally which is held in the deserted parts of southern Morocco. The distinctive feature of the rally is that participation is restricted to women only....
with Irishwoman Jeanette James as pilot and Frenchwoman Anne-Marie Ortola as navigator.
X-Clusive
This special edition Viano was only available in European markets from 2008 to 2010 with either a petrol or diesel V6 engine. It came with sportier exterior details including Brilliant Silver or Obsidian Black metallic paint, redesigned radiator grille, 18" alloy wheels, a chromed exhaust tailpipe, side skirts and unique front and rear bumpers. Inside were specially designed pebble or anthracite coloured 'Twin' leather seats and a choice of grey or brown burr walnut wood accents.Edition 125
In 2011 Mercedes celebrated its 125th birthday, and to commemorate Mercedes created special edition models, including the Viano Avantgarde Edition 125 (to give it its full name). It comes with either the V6 petrol or V6 diesel engine, sports suspension, 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, chromed exterior mirrors, black or silver metallic paintwork, six individual leather seats, wood trim and stainless steel pedals.Reviews
The Mercedes-Benz Viano has received mixed to positive reviews from the motoring press. The van-based design is seen as a blessing by some critics and a failing by others. As of July 2010 reviews for the facelifted Viano are not available.- AA, TheThe Automobile AssociationThe Automobile Association , a British motoring association founded in 1905 was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans and motoring advice, and other services...
'Image is everything in the world of business and it should come as no surprise that the Viano is the big cheese in the executive travel world.' - AutocarAutocarAutocar is a weekly British automobile magazine published by Haymarket Motoring Publications Ltd. It refers to itself as "The World's oldest car magazine".-History:...
'Still more van than MPV. Airport transport.' - Parker'sParker's Car GuidesParker's Car Price Guide is a monthly magazine and, more recently, website listing prices for new and used cars in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1972 and is the longest-running price guide available to the public. It has expanded over the years to offer reviews, technical data and...
'Pros: Capable of carrying eight in comfort, massive and versatile interior, superb diesels'.
'Cons: Sheer size makes it difficult to manoeuvre, can't hide commercial vehicle origins.' - RAC
'With its rare combination of spacious seating and generous luggage capacity, the Viano is a paragon of practicality...' - What Car?
'For - Comes with a choice of two wheelbases and three body lengths, plus a variety of seating arrangements and plenty of space inside. The sliding rear side doors ease access.'
'Against - It's an expensive option, whose van roots show through in some areas. The engines are noisy and it's not easy to use the car’s full versatility...' - Yahoo! Cars
'Most MPVs never make that much sense because when full of people theres nowhere for the lugagge to go. No such problem exists with the vast Viano.'