Mercedes-Benz redefines the MPV with the V-Class. As the youngest and largest member of the Stuttgart passenger car family, it sets new standards in its segment with its design and a multitude of innovations. The new V-Class combines space for up to eight people and exemplary functionality with the value, comfort, efficient driving pleasure and safety that characterize cars with the three-pointed star. This makes the Mercedes among the large-capacity sedans the ideal vehicle for all people who appreciate a large amount of space but do not want to forego style and comfort.
Whether it's a big shopping trip or a trip with the whole family, whether it's a mountain-bike vacation with friends in the Alps or a trip down the red carpet with celebrity guests – the new V-Class offers the greatest possible flexibility in the use of the interior and always cuts an elegant figure in the process. With the two equipment lines V-Class and V-Class AVANTGARDE, one Exterior Sport Package and one Interior Design Package each, two wheelbases, three vehicle lengths from 4.895 to 5.370 millimeters, three engine options and numerous optional extras, the new MPV can be customized to suit individual tastes and requirements. As a result, it meets a wide range of customer requirements and is just as attractive for families as for people who need a variable and spacious vehicle interior for their leisure and sports activities. It is also ideal as a luxurious VIP or hotel shuttle.
With the new V-Class, we are expanding the portfolio of Mercedes-Benz premium passenger cars with a sedan for up to eight people, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of the Mercedes-Benz Cars division. The functionality of a large sedan is a must. Comfort and style are the freestyle. The new V-Class combines both in a way that no other vehicle in this segment can match.
Emotional, dynamic appearance the restaging of size
Even at first glance, the new V-Class presents itself unmistakably as a member of the Mercedes-Benz passenger car family and sets an emotional highlight in its segment. At the center of the powerful front are the upright radiator grille with three-dimensional central star and the progressively designed headlamps, which for the first time in this segment optionally feature all lighting functions in LED technology. The swept-back, sculpted hood flows elegantly into the sporty chrome frame of the radiator grille and the headlights. The lower air intakes. The radiator grille is supported by narrow louvers. In conjunction with the headlights extending far into the fenders, they emphasize the width of the vehicle. Underline the self-confident appearance of the new V-Class.
The clearly drawn side wall is divided by two stretched, spanned lines. The interplay of concave and convex surfaces has a sculptural and thus very sensual character. Both lines continue the striking contour lines of the front bumper in a flowing manner, rising slightly to the rear end. The side view appears stretched and signals dynamism.
The new V-Class shows that an elegant and dynamic appearance is also possible in XXL format, says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. The V-Class is a versatile all-rounder that offers value, efficiency and safety at the highest level. We are addressing entirely new customer groups, including those who need a large amount of space but have never wanted to drive a large sedan because the style, feel-good factor and ride comfort have been too limited in this segment up to now.
Modern style and outstanding value in the interior
The interior offers a completely new experience of spaciousness. High-quality materials with a pleasant feel and harmonious color concept, extremely finely executed details and a progressive, sensual design language convey a sense of value that is outstanding in the segment and the welcome-home feeling typical of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. Fine nappa leather is also available for the seats, steering wheel and gearshift. The inviting flair is rounded off by discreet ambient lighting in three color tones.
The dynamically shaped, two-part instrument panel is a particular eye-catcher. The upper and lower sections are separated by a large three-dimensional trim piece that creates visual expansiveness and underscores the high level of quality. The lower part is sculptured. This enhances the generous feeling of space. Experience lightness at the same time. For the first time in this class, a cockpit top in leather look with elaborately worked decorative stitching is available on request.
Other highlights include the free-standing central display, the multifunction steering wheel with twelve buttons and DIRECT SELECT selector lever with steering wheel shift paddles for automatic transmissions, and the innovative touchpad, which allows all telematics functions to be operated like a smartphone using gestures or entering letters and characters. The touchpad is available from the equipment with Audio 20 CD or with COMAND Online. The latest generation of COMAND Online combines all audio, telephone and navigation functions and also offers an Internet browser, the LINGUATRONIC voice control system and real-time traffic data transmission. For the perfect music experience, the Burmester® Surround sound system with 16 speakers and a bass reflex box.
A new dimension of convenience
With numerous innovations, the V-Class also sets new standards in comfort and variability. The Mercedes-Benz MPV is the only vehicle in the segment to offer a 4-way lumbar support for driver and front passenger on request and active seat ventilation with reversing fans for uniform relative humidity on the contact surface with the leather seat.
Also unique in this vehicle class is the advanced automatic climate control THERMOTRONIC, which is offered optionally to the standard TEMPMATIC. With three different ventilation modes, it allows individual climate control. The FOCUS, MEDIUM and DIFFUSE climate control styles differ in air volume and distribution. THERMOTRONIC also offers automatic pre-conditioning at the touch of a button on the vehicle key, an integrated misting sensor and cooling air distribution to the driver and passenger sides, the intensity of which depends on the position of the sun.
Numerous seating and charging configuration possibilities
The seating in the rear allows countless configurations for every need. The MPV is equipped as standard with four individual comfort seats with armrests in two rows of seats. They fold forward intuitively thanks to improved technology and operating logic, allowing quick and easy access to the rear of the vehicle. If desired, a folding table can be mounted between the individual seats in the first row. As an alternative to the individual seats, a two-seater bench seat with two-part, individually folding backrest and a three-seater bench seat with two-part seat cushion and three-part backrest are available for both rear rows. The outer right seat of the three-seater bench can be folded forwards or removed separately. The entire bench can be folded down to make room for large luggage such as sports equipment or newly purchased furniture for the children's room. If you would like to have a place to sleep in the V-Class, you can also equip the rear row with a three-seater bench as a comfort couch. Drawers are located under the reclining bench, which can also be used as a second charging level. All other seats are also underloadable. In addition, all bench seats as well as the individual seats are equipped with integrated 3-point safety belts.
In the further optimized seat rails with quick-release locks, seats and benches can be moved forwards and backwards with little effort and positioned as vis-à-vis seating. In addition, they are all removable, so that a loading area can be created as needed at any time.
Separately opening rear window and second loading level
For comfortable loading and unloading the V-class waits with a further novelty in its segment on the separately opening rear window, which is attached to the upper tailgate frame. It can be opened and closed independently of the tailgate. This makes loading and unloading easier in two respects: Firstly, it creates a second loading level. On the other hand, it is no longer necessary to open the large tailgate, especially in tight parking spaces. The corresponding cargo compartment partitioning can be easily fitted and removed. It can carry a load of up to 50 kilograms and has two recesses, each containing a removable foldable shopping basket. In the V-Class AVANTGARDE, the separately opening rear window is standard equipment. Another unique selling point of the new V-Class: the tailgate is also available as an EASY-PACK tailgate on request, which can be conveniently opened and closed electrically and stopped in any position. This means that even smaller people have no difficulty closing the tailgate.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive exemplary safety
A total of eleven innovative driver assistance systems ensure a high level of driving comfort and exemplary safety. They are based on modern radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors, which were introduced under the term Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive. On board as standard are Crosswind Assist, which stabilizes the V-Class in strong crosswind gusts, and ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness. Active Parking Assist is available as an option. It makes parking the new MPV so easy. As comfortable as a compact car.
Also available as an option are the 360-degree camera, DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control in conjunction with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, Traffic Sign Assist with wrong-way warning function, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, LED Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. Most of these assistance systems are available for the first time in this vehicle class.
To further enhance safety, the PRE-SAFE® system familiar from the passenger car models is available as an optional extra system available. It activates protective measures in the event of an imminent accident so that seat belts and airbags can provide the best possible protection in the event of a collision.
Top efficiency: six-cylinder performance with four-cylinder consumption
At market launch, the new V-Class will be powered by the ultra-modern 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with two-stage turbocharging, which has already proven its worth in numerous passenger car series and has been specifically enhanced for the MPV. It is available in three performance levels: The V 200 CDI develops 100 kW (136 hp). A maximum torque of 330 Newton meters. The V 220 CDI mobilizes 120 kW (163 hp) and 380 Newton meters. This is 20 Newton meters more than in the predecessor in each case, with around two liters less fuel consumption. With fuel consumption of just 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions of 149 grams per kilometer, the V 220 CDI is an absolute leader in the segment. With 140 kW (190 hp) and a powerful maximum torque of 440 Newton meters, the top-of-the-line V 250 BlueTEC engine is as powerful and agile as the previous 3-liter V6 turbodiesel engine. At the same time, the new top model is extremely quiet and interior noise has been significantly reduced compared with its six-cylinder predecessor, thanks in part to extensive insulation. Consumption is also significantly lower: at 6.0 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, the four-cylinder turbo diesel consumes 28 percent less fuel than the six-cylinder model while delivering the same performance. Thanks to BlueTEC, the top model is also the first vehicle in the segment to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard. The V 250 BlueTEC comes as standard with 7G-TRONIC PLUS with DIRECT SELECT selector lever. DIRECT SELECT steering wheel shift paddles equipped. The convenient automatic transmission is optionally available for the V 200 CDI and V 220 CDI models.
New standard for agility and driving pleasure
To enhance personal driving pleasure, the V-Class is the only vehicle in the segment to offer the AGILITY SELECT switch in conjunction with the automatic transmission. At the touch of a button, the driver can choose between four driving programs: economical, comfortable, sporty and manual. The response of engine, accelerator pedal and transmission will be adjusted accordingly. If the driver activates the Sport, Comfort or Manual programs, an additional 10 kW and 40 Newton meters of power are available during acceleration phases (overtorque). As a result, the V 250 BlueTEC, for example, develops 150 kW of power. A maximum torque of a whopping 480 Newton meters. Also groundbreaking in this vehicle class are the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective adaptation of the damping system to the road surface conditions. The ADAPTIVE ESP® of the latest generation with numerous assistance functions for optimum driving safety. The smooth and precise electromechanical power steering also makes a significant contribution to the balanced ride comfort in the new V-Class.
Standard equipment: rich and with stylish details
With its sporty character and comfortable equipment, the new Mercedes-Benz MPV occupies the top position in its segment. Even the standard equipment of the basic V-Class version is extensive. These include Audio 20 USB with free-standing 7-inch central display, piano lacquer-look trim elements, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel with twelve buttons and sporty DIRECT SELECT selector lever with steering wheel gearshift paddles for automatic transmission, tilt and height-adjustable steering column, comfort seats for driver and front passenger with thorax pelvis sidebag, electric parking brake and active rear sliding door locking mechanism. The V-Class AVANTGARDE equipment line comes with additional standard highlights such as leather seats, leather steering wheel, ambient lighting, wood-look trim elements (also in the rear), full LED headlights with Intelligent Light System, separately opening rear window with second loading level, additional sliding door on the left, laminated glass windows for further noise optimization and AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping system for even more agility and ride comfort.
At the market launch at the end of May 2014, the new V-Class will be available in the long version with 5.140 millimeters in length, 3.200 millimeter wheelbase and extended overhang will be available in the future. It can be used from 6. Can be ordered in March 2014. The compact and extra-long variants will follow at a later date.
Fuel consumption combined: 6.1-5.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 159-149 (g/km).
Source: Daimler AG, Mercedesstraße 137, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany