Bangkok--Mar 28--DaimlerChrysler (Thailand)
- Successful blend of comfort, economy and safety
- Van with rear-wheel drive
- Two wheelbase, three vehicle hengths, two roof heights
- Three diesels and two petrol engine ranging from 65kw(88hp) up to
170kw (231hp)
The new Mercedes-Benz Vito DaimlerChrysler is now due to make its debut. It is the successor to the van model first unveiled in 1995 and manufactured at the Victoria plant in Spain, Whose total sales comfortable topped the 500,000 mark. The new model range has been extended considerably, allowing it to cover a far broader spectrum of application.
Characteristically Mercedes-Benz
The new design immediately gives away the characteristic Mercedes-Benz breeding of the new Vito, and also clearly identifies the new van as a product of the integral development process. The side profile has taken on a noticeably more dynamic form. The headlamps, the radiator grille and the way in which the lines flow harmoniously from the bumper back to the front windscreen and blend smoothly into the side paneling are all unmistakable traits. At the rear of the vehicle, it it the vertical strips of large-sized taillights which really make the new model stand out.
Once inside the cap, drivers and rear passenger compartment are welcomed by a completely restyled workstation. The new instrument panel, ventilation and air conditioning controls.
The passenger van models in the new Mercedes-Benz Vito rang are available in choice of carrying up to 11 passengers plus driver in comfort. The sophisticated ambience of the interior, the comfortable seats with integral three-point seat belts, the versatile seating arrangement, plus a host of other feature make the Mercedes-Benz Vito an ideal means of transport, no matter whether it is to be used for the most discerning of guests or simply as an addition to an existing van fleet.
The new Vito's combination of longitudinally mounted engines and rear-wheel drive offers enhanced traction over the majority of the vehicle load spectrum, as well as boosting passive safety at the front of the vehicle.
Active and Passive safety
Achieving maximum levels of active and safety came right at the top of the list of priorities set out in the specifications book for the new Mercedes-Benz Vito.
The Vito fitted with disc brakes all around, measuring 300 mm across at the front and 296 mm across at the rear. The standard specification of all models also includes the ESP dynamic handling control system, incorporating the ABS anti-lock braking system, ASR acceleration skid control, and electronic brake force distribution and the hydraulic Brake Assist system.
All the seats feature three-point seat belts, on the driver's side a full-size airbag while a twin-size airbag for the co-driver is included.
The strength, rigidity and the bending and torsional characteristics of all model variats have been further improved, then carefully validated by conducting all of the customary crash tests. In the even of the collision, two special deformation boxes at the front of the vehicle absorb as much of the kinetic energy as possible, as well as preventing the frame side members from becoming damaged in minor collisions.
Finally, driving safety is enhanced further by features such as the standard-fit lashing eyelets.
Diesel engines
The CDI diesel engines fitted in the Vito are four-cylinder, in-line power plants featuring the same 2nd Generation CDI technology that is already used in Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. There are three versions to choose from, whose power ratings have all been significantly increased compared to the models they supersede on the top-of-the rang engine, where the difference is most noticeable.
The increase in power translates into greater agility, particularly at low revs, making driving the new Vito even more than fun, which can be attributed primarily to the addition of a turbocharger with a variable nozzle turbine in the case of the two most powerful versions. The setting of the guide vanes is performance-map controlled, leading to a clear reduction in the exhaust gas backpressure as the engine reaches its maximum power. Build-up of charge pressure is also greatly improved by adjustment of the guide vanes, translating into more spontaneous engine response. Increasing the charge pressure at rev speeds below 1800 rpm also leads to a major reduction in turbo lag.
A further reason for the increase in power output is the injection pressure of 1600 bar. This allows the required fuel quantity to be injected quickly through the narrow nozzle openings, which have to be keep very small due so as to minimize exhaust emissions. Longer injection times would add to the thermal load and therefore have a negative effect on combustion quality.
Petrol engines
Boasting high torque and flexibility, the two V6 power plants feature two inlet valves and one large exhaust valve (41 mm diameter) per cylinder plus a balancer shaft, and hver already demonstratd their impressive smoothness combined with motoring pleasure and sportliness in several of the Mercedes-Benz passenger car model series.
The compact crankshaft of the V6 engines with its cylinder angle of 90 degrees is made from an environmentally friendly fused aluminum alloy using a high-pressure die casting process and weight just 26.7 kg. This new process which is also know by its abbreviation HPDC, offers far greater precision than other more conventional methods and reduces the number of machining steps required afterwards. Also new are the cylinder liners which are made from silitec, an aluminum-silicon alloy whose homogenous surface structure helps cut pollutant emissions and long-term oil consumption.
The Vito petro engines are equipped with Bosch-Motronic ME2.8 engine management technology which in turn communicates with the control modules for the transmission and the ESP dynamic handling control system. The twin-spark ignition combined with the large valve opening reduces fuel consumption, resulting in an improvement in emissions values and replacement intervals of 100,000 km for the long-life spark pulgs.
For more information please contact:
DaimlerChryler (Thailand) Ltd, Communications Department,
Fax: 0-2676-5685
Website: media.daimlerchrysler.com
Chatvithai Tantraporn 0-2344-6120, 0-1836-0014
[email protected]
Yaowaret Lertluechachai 0-2344-6121, 0-1805-3492
[email protected]
Orada Dolkit 0-2344-6122, 0-1853-4222
[email protected]
Or K.Kallayaratana Saenpanya (Ice)
PR Consultant 0-2257-0300 Ext.340
[email protected]
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