The Mercedes-Benz Viano: For family, leisure or business - and much more besides

A successful combination of comfort, quality and safety
Two wheelbases, three vehicle lengths
Two diesel and two petrol engines developing between 80 kW (109 hp) and 160 kW (218 hp)

If you’re looking for variability, versatility and a large number of variants, look no further than another „v”, the Mercedes-Benz Viano. Three equipment lines – FUN, TREND and AMBIENTE, plus the MARCO POLO camper van version – provide the wide range of variants. Three vehicle lengths and a total of four different engines – two CDI and two V6 petrol-driven units developing from 80 kW (109 hp) to160 kW (218 hp) – make the Viano extremely versatile. And a seat-rail system, a broad spectrum of possible seating configurations and a choice of equipment packages – from Bike to Business – ensure that the new MPV also boasts impressive variability.

Designed and developed from a totally clean slate, the Viano fills the position in the model range vacated by the V-Class. The new model will be built in Vitoria, Spain, where DaimlerChrysler’s plant has been expanded significantly and adapted specially for production of the new Mercedes-Benz.

Versatility and spaciousness in one

An extremely wide range of possible uses influenced the development process as early as the basic concept stage. The noticeably higher number of available variants sets the Viano apart in its class, a status reinforced by its striking design, well thought-through interior, wide range of engines and dynamic yet safe and smooth driving characteristics, which set new standards in this vehicle category.

The Viano will be available in two wheelbases (3200 mm and 3430 mm) in conjunction with two overhang variations, creating vehicle lengths of 4748 mm, 4993 mm and 5223 mm. The wheelbase of the basic Viano is 200 mm longer than that of the outgoing V-Class and the overall length is 88 mm greater.

The bonnet of the Viano, which is likewise longer than that of its predecessor, can point to a considerably greater energy absorption potential, which the driver and front passenger will appreciate in the event of a frontal impact. In the interior, the extra vehicle length has been put to good use in allowing substantially greater space between the seats and larger luggage capacity. As a result, comfort and practicality have grown in equal measure.

The FUN version comes as standard with five seats, rising to as many as seven in its extra-long variant. The bed extension allows the rear bench seat to be converted into a comfortable bed. The TREND and AMBIENTE lines are fitted with six individual seats, which can be increased to eight with the use of three-person bench seats (optional). The MARCO POLO camper van has four seats as standard, and an additional seat can be fitted if desired. An optional double bed can be accommodated in the pop-up roof, which can be operated electrohydraulically with the optional Easy Up function.

Sporty, practical and ready to do business: the Viano is available with three equipment packages – BIKE, LIFE and BUSINESS – which put the focus on three different areas. The BIKE package includes a rear bicycle carrier and a bicycle tool set; LIFE gives the Viano the extra benefits of a second sliding door, folding table and a 12-volt refrigerator box, among other things, and the BUSINESS package features the control and display system COMAND, mobile phone pre-wiring and an office bag offering secure storage for a laptop computer and accessories.

A choice of four engines and two transmissions

The Viano driver can choose from two CDI diesel and two V6 petrol engines, all of which are longitudinally mounted in the front of the vehicle. The diesel units both have a 2.2-litre displacement, and develop 80 kW (109 hp) or 110 kW (150 hp). The petrol-driven powerplants, meanwhile, have a 3.2-litre displacement and deliver 140 kW (190 hp) or 160 kW (218 hp).The use of turbochargers with variable nozzle turbines and an increase in the injection pressure to 1600 bar have pushed the output and torque of the diesel engines far beyond the figures recorded by their predecessors with the same displacement. The market launch of the Viano will make diesel engines available for the first time in this vehicle segment which already meet the stricter EU4 exhaust emissions standards yet to come into force.

The petrol power units, which have already proved their credentials in various Mercedes-Benz passenger car model series, demonstrate outstanding agility combined with impressively smooth running characteristics. They already meet the latest exhaust emissions control standards (EU4/I), thanks to dual ignition, exhaust gas recirculation and two catalytic converters.

The diesel engines are linked up as standard with a six-speed manual transmission, whilst the petrol variants come with a five-speed automatic as standard. The automatic transmission is available as an option with the diesel engines.
The standard-fitted active service system ASSYST and the lower number of parts requiring service result in noticeably reduced maintenance costs, especially for the CDI variants. On average, the Viano only has to go in for service every 30,000 kilometres (or once a year).

Customers will also welcome the advantages of the Viano in terms of insurance costs. An easy-repair construction, cost-effective repair methods and the lack of high-cost components in key collision areas pave the way for a favourable insurance rating and reasonably priced minor-damage repairs.

Engines which demonstrate exceptional agility across the whole performance range combine with carefully spaced transmission and final-drive ratios to form the basis for responsive driving characteristics. The switch to rear-wheel drive has helped optimise driving pleasure, improving the traction and directional stability compared with the predecessor model in all road conditions and with any type of load. Added to which, passenger-car driver assistance and safety systems such as ESP, ABS, ASR, BAS and electronic brake force distribution (EBV) are fitted as standard and also play a significant role. An exceptionally comfortable rear-axle self-levelling air suspension system can be ordered as an option in conjunction with comfort-optimised steel suspension for the front axle. This chassis package comes as standard with the AMBIENTE line.

Indeed, the Viano can boast a high level of standard equipment in every respect, with tinted glass all round, power windows at the front, power vent windows at the rear, steering column with adjustment for reach and height, driver and front-passenger airbags, central locking with radio remote control and attachment points for roof-mounted carrier systems all on the list. Thorax sidebags and windowbags are optional extras.