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New diesel engines for the Mercedes Vito

Mercedes-Benz Vans is introducing a series of improvements for its contender in the mid-size vans segment. Among the highlights are high-torque four-cylinder diesel engines for the Vito Tourer with passenger car approval. Mercedes says that in comparison to the predecessor, the new OM 654 engine range reduces emissions and consumption values whilst also optimising noise and vibration comfort. The power units, already familiar from the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range, will see their first ever usage in a commercial vehicle at Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Following on from the Sprinter, many of the digital services offered as part of the Mercedes PRO connect ecosystem will also be made available in Vito variants with combustion engines from Summer 2019. A communications module with permanently-installed SIM card ensures that the technical pre-requisites for this are already in place. The products from the Mercedes PRO connect connectivity and fleet management solution are intended to help increase efficiency, lower operating costs and improve the availability of vehicles whilst also facilitating communication between the entire fleet.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito also features additional items of equipment like a broader range of wheels. Customers will thus soon be able to choose from four additional exterior colours and further 17, 18 and 19-inch light-alloy wheels. On top of that, there are also new comfort functions such as Highbeam Assist PLUS, new roller sliding bases for affixing the seats, and the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system and Breakdown Management function. Visually, the design of the instrument cluster has also been adjusted.

“The Mercedes-Benz Vito is the versatile all-rounder among the midsize vans with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 3.2 tonnes. Its payload and its diverse variety are among the highest in the segment. With the new power units and equipment options available to order from March, we’re improving the versatility of this all-rounder even more for our customers, and all while keeping the purchase price and operating costs low. With the connection to Mercedes PRO connect, the Vito will also become part of the ‘Internet of Things’, thus creating new possibilities for fleet managers,” explains Pia Herkewitz, Product/Marketing Management for Mercedes-Benz midsize Vans.

From March 2019, customers will be able to order the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer with the four-cylinder engine of the OM 654 model series. This engine replaces the previously used OM 651 engines with the same power rating. In the smallest version, the engine produces 134 bhp and 243 ft lb of torque. The middle option delivers 161 bhp and 280 ft lb of torque and in the top-of-the line engine with 187 bhp and 310 ft lb of torque.

Among the innovative characteristics of the new engine generation are the combination of an aluminium housing and steel pistons, the stepped recess combustion process and the NANOSLIDE cylinder wall coating for reducing friction
within the engine.

The majority of components relevant to reducing emissions are installed directly on the engine. The integral technology approach featuring the new stepped recess combustion process, dynamic multi-way exhaust gas recirculation and engine-side exhaust-gas after-treatment, combined for the first time with variable valve control, makes possible lower consumption and emissions values. Mercedes says that thanks to the near-engine, insulated position of the components, the exhaust-gas after-treatment system enjoys low heat loss
and advantageous working conditions. The measures include:

  • High and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation including cooling
  • A diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC) reduces the carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and unburnt hydrocarbons (HC)
  • A particle filter with SCR catalytic converter functionality (sDPF)
  • An SCR catalytic converter (selective catalytic reduction) serves to reduce nitrous oxides by mixing ammonia in the form of AdBlue® into the exhaust gases upstream of the sDPF
  • An additional selective catalytic reduction catalytic converter (SCR) with ammonia slip catalyst (ASC) in the exhaust gas duct

The changes to the new Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer will also see the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission being used for the first time place of the previous 7G-TRONIC, and comes as standard with the new diesel engines. The driver can use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to select the drive programs “Comfort” and “Sport” and thus influence the shifting behaviour. Alternatively, “M” mode allows the driver to shift manually using the DIRECT SELECT steering wheel gearshift paddles. From autumn 2019, a manual transmission will be available. All new engine variants are equipped as standard with rear-wheel drive.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito is available in a range of model variants. For example, the Vito Panel Van which is available in three different lengths. Or the Vito Mixto which combines the Panel Van and Tourer models.

The Vito Tourer is available to order either as the Vito Tourer BASE, the Vito Tourer PRO and the Vito Tourer SELECT. Thus the Tourer model has become a model series in its own right. With its three lengths, compact (4.90 m), long (5.14 m) and extra long (5.37 m), the Mercedes-Benz Vito offers customers a broad choice. Plus, the midsize van comes in different weight variants, with permissible gross vehicle weights ranging as high as between 2.7 and 3.2 tonnes.

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