Vario Motors into the Future

The Mercedes-Benz Vario is undergoing a facelift and is set to receive a new drivetrain.  To meet the requirements of future emissions standards, it will be converted to include a new engine featuring new exhaust technology.

The largest member of the Mercedes-Benz van product family not only combines the high load capacity of a 'light truck' with the agile handling characteristics of a van, it also offers a compelling proposition with its sophisticated product quality, reliability and unrivalled combination and special-purpose body options.

Thanks to its front engine, the Vario – unlike its ‘light truck’ counterparts – does not need a tilting cab, making it ideally suited to the van concept. The driver enjoys the benefit of convenient access from the cab to the rear section of the vehicle.  As a result, the Vario can be used for applications such as parcel-delivery, emergency ambulance, mobile support unit, specialist shop or camper van.

The long wheelbase panel van can offer internal load space volumes of up to 17.4m², making it the largest panel van on the market. A low loading height, ideal for both forklift and handball operation augments the high payload making the vehicle ideally suited for long haul, heavy-duty distribution.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is about to become the first automobile manufacturer to produce a battery-electric van.
Thanks to its emission-free drive system, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is ideally suitable for inner-city operations and for particularly environmentally sensitive areas.  It operates with no emissions and almost silently, and imposes no restrictions on the operator in terms of load capacity and payload.

Production of 100 Vito E-CELL vans has already commenced this year, with a further 2,000 units planned from 2011.