Test Drive Mercedes Benz Viano since 2010 Minivan
Businessman
Mercedes Viano and Vito is comfort for all occasions
We are talking, please note, not about one car, but about the whole family of new cars with three versions of the body length and two wheels, the most of the various purpose and the level of equipment. All available versions are not reading (only VITO is presented in fifteen modifications), especially if we take into account the widest opportunities for the transformation of the cabin and the installation of additional equipment. Let's say Viano with the same success can be an office on wheels, a mobile family cottage with a kitchen or just a minivan, perfectly adapted for rhodes on nature with mountain bikes. Vito in its passenger, cargo or cargo-passengerism is even more universal, but at the same time more utilitated. In short, those who first preferred Mercedes V-Class or the same Vito of the previous generation, can not be disappointed with a new series of minivans with a three-beam star. Convenience First of all
Not to say that I very often manage a large seven-world car weighing more than two tons and about five meters long. The noteworthy, that I have not experienced no difficulty at the same time. That is, any more or less prepared driver, who has never had a minivan steering wheel before, it can cope with it easily. Landing, understandable, high, but very comfortable seat moderately soft with tangible side support and with armrests, handle with a 5-speed automatic gearbox at hand, on the tilting of the center console, the adjustable ramp with the navigation and audio control buttons does not irritate the bus tilt, The devices are well read. In short, the ergonomics of a driver's seat at height, and immediately understand that it is Mercedes.
It should be clarified: we are talking about the long-base and most powerful Viano 3,2, which I paid special attention, given its prospects in the Russian market. In this particular case, the Ambiente execution meant seven separate seats (of course, all with seat belts, and three point), capable of moving along special sleds, and the second and third row chairs can turn to each other. In the cabin only high-quality upholstered materials, wood trim, two hatches are one small, the second is barely not from the shelter. Buyers also offer Trend, Fun options and universal Marco Polo, plus three standard BUSINESS, LIFE and BIE equipment package. In general, Viano can be equipped not worse than the representative sedan. According to the quality of the finishes and the level of equipment, it is hardly equal in the class. It is convenient to climb into the salon through a wide side sliding doors. The same doors, by the way, in Vito van make it possible to use a forklift when loading. So, climbing in Viano, though easily, but I personally didn't really want to at first. Because in Europe in general, and in Germany, where the test was held in particular, the African heat was stood. And the car under the sun caused associations with a mobile shuttle. However, there is nothing to do with the steering wheel, after opening all the doors, I start the engine and install a system of separate climate control at the minimum temperature. Believe it, after a minute of deflectors re-cold. And very soon, minivan from the ruined turned into an oasis in the middle of the desert. I was not lazy, and, stopping, moved on the seat of the last row here was for some reason even cool!
Fast house
Test routes were thought out competently, and therefore journalists were able to try out cars and on the autobahn, and on narrow mountain roads, and even on the ferry crossing. At the same time, NIGHDE Viano did not look neither a nebastoropic nor too big. Minivan acceleration for eight with a few seconds to hundreds is very impressive. This dynamics (and decent maximum speed) can envy many passenger cars. The engine is very good, and, which is important, it is practically not heard in the cabin, even with high revs. And the machine was pleasantly surprised by a rapid gas supply response and smooth transitions from a step to a step even with the highest possible acceleration. Very soon I caught myself thinking about a comfortable and rapid house on wheels. But I especially liked Viano's behavior on serpentines. It would seem that the stern should be mercilessly to demolish, and, given the length of the minivan, it was possible to assume that the demolition would be difficult to predict. Bye! Even at a decent speed, the car firmly stands on wheels in turns, and its behavior is quite predictable. Of course, this is not a sports car, and to remake with the speed on the winding roads to anything, but here the big car does not make a sense of confidence. The main merit in the rear drive (before the V-class was an optional), which provided a more uniform distribution of weight over the axes. And if the luggage compartment is sufficiently loaded at all any problems. In addition, the basic equipment of Viano includes a system of dynamic stabilization of ESP, working in conjunction with anti-slip ASR and ABS.
It is impossible not to pay tribute and disk brakes (front ventilated) they are very effective. Under the foot of the driver, plus to this system of emergency brake assist and electronic distribution of brake forces. In general, the level of security is chosen by the owner: a standard package with driver pillows and (depending on the level of execution) for the front passenger, it is free to add window, side and special pillows to protect the chest. The frisky nature of the new generation of minivans from Mercedes fully reflects the new design. The angular forms of the former generation gave way to more smooth and dynamic lines, which is especially noticeable in profile and experience. Headlights, grille grille, spectacular climbing on the hood, stretching from the bumper to windshield, bright terrain sidewalls All these elements give the appearance of Viano at the same time rapidness and solidity. And the back is perhaps less heavy due to long and clear lines of lanterns.
In Europe and in Russia
Mercedes-Benz Viano and Vito will be officially represented at the international exhibition of Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf (from August 29 to September 7), at the international auto show IAA in Frankfurt (from September 13 to September 21) and at the RAI commercial vehicle salon in Amsterdam ( from 17 to 25 October). Nevertheless, Viano sales in Europe have already begun. The prices of this model in Germany begin from 32 thousand euros per version with a 2-liter diesel engine, and 41,690 euros are completed for the most powerful modification with a gasoline engine and in the maximum factory configuration (including taxes). The cost of VITO will be determined in the first half of September. At the same time, minivan prices in Russia will be known. 
All versions of Viano / Vito will be supplied to us, with diesel and gasoline engines, with the exception of Viano 3.0. In CJSC, Daimlerkraisler Cars Rus reasonably, perhaps, correctly by choosing the most powerful of two 3,2-liter V6. And from there reported that Russian prices will be tied to German. If it comes out, then the novelty in our country is very good prospects. Agree, even about fifty thousand euros for a large comfortable minivan Mercedes is not too much. Oleg Osipov
