Mercedes-Benz Viano

Mercedes-Benz Viano

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz Fujian Daimler
Parent company	Daimler AG
Production	2004–present (Spain) 2008–present (Mexico) 2010- (China)
Assembly	Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain Alcobendas, Spain (CKD) Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico Fúzhōu, China
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Class	Multi-Purpose Vehicle
Body style(s)	5-door Van
Layout	FR Layout F4 Layout
Engine(s)	2.2 L L4 Diesel 3.0 L V6 Diesel 3.2 L V6 Petrol 3.5 L V6 Petrol 4.3 L V6 Petrol 6.0 L V8 Petrol
Transmission(s)	6-speed Manual 5-speed TouchShift
Wheelbase	3,200–3,430 mm (126.0–135.0 in)
Length	4,748–5,223 mm (186.9–205.6 in)
Width	1,906 mm (75.0 in)
Height	1,875 mm (73.8 in)
Curb weight	2,040–2,135 kg (4,500–4,700 lb)
Fuel capacity	75 L (19.8 US gal/16.5 imp gal)
Related	Mercedes-Benz Vito

The Mercedes-Benz Viano (sold as the V-Class in some markets) is a multi-purpose vehicle based on the popular Mercedes-Benz Vito commercial panel van. The first generation went on sale in 1996; it is presently in its second generation, having undergone a number of changes - including a new name - in 2004. In 2010 Mercedes-Benz gave the Viano a facelift with revised front and rear bumpers and lights. The interior was also improved with upgraded materials and new technology added.

The Viano is available in both rear and four wheel drive configurations and comes in three lengths, two wheelbases and a choice of four modern petrol and diesel engines (as well as two specialist tuned models) coupled to either a six-speed manual or five-speed TouchShift automatic transmission.

Practicality

Six seats come as standard in most markets, however up to two rear three-seater benches can be fitted turning the Viano into an eight seat people carrier. All rear seats slide in 1 inch (2.5 cm) increments, recline and can be turned to face one other. They can also be folded down or removed completely to increase the load capacity. The rear seats cannot, however, be folded into the floor like some rivals.

With all the seats removed the Viano Extra-Long can accommodate up to 4,610 litres (163 cu ft) of cargo with a payload of 930 kg. It can tow a 2,500 kg (5,512 lb) braked trailer and a 750 kg (1,653 lb) unbraked trailer - made easier by the adjustable self-levelling rear suspension fitted to higher specification models.

Rear-wheel drive allows the Viano to have a smaller turning circle than front-wheel drive rivals; Compact and Long models have a turning circle of 11.8 m (39 ft) whereas the Extra-Long model turns in 12.5 m (41 ft).

Marco Polo

Viano Marco Polo camping edition

In some countries a camping derivative is available - known as the Marco Polo - which comes with a fully-fitted galley (including gas stove, sink, 40 L fridge and numerous storage areas), multi-function wardrobe and a sliding bench seat in the rear which can be turned into a large air-sprung bed. A pop-up roof is also standard and can be raised - electrically, as a cost option - to provide full standing height inside. In this pop-up roof an additional bed can be fitted meaning the Viano can sleep up to four individuals.

Fresh water and waste water tanks are accessible from outside the vehicle, while the gas-cylinder bay is hidden inside an interior cupboard. To cope with the extra power demands an auxiliary battery is included under the front passenger seat. Up to six optional individual seats can be fitted for maximum MPV flexibility, but only four seats (including the two-seater bench mentioned above) can be used when in camping mode.

The Marco Polo was designed and created in partnership with Westfalia just like Volkswagen camper vans were until 1999. It was then Daimler AG bought a controlling stake in the conversion company meaning Volkswagen had to continue converting their commercial vehicles into camper vans alone.

Safety

Two head-on airbags and (on higher trim levels) front side airbags are fitted as standard, with front window airbags available as an option. Electronic stability control (ESP), traction control system (ASR), anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBV) and brake assist (BAS) are all fitted as standard. If BAS is activated, the hazard lights flash to warn following motorists that the Viano driver is undertaking an emergency braking manoeuvre.

Each seat is fitted with a three-point seatbelt with belt tensioner and force limiter and an adjustable head restraint.

The Viano underwent the Euro NCAP car safety tests in 2008 and achieved the following ratings:

Euro NCAP	Rating
Adult occupant:
Child occupant:
Pedestrian:

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) also tested the Viano and gave it a score of 32.66 points out of 37. It is the only van in Australasia to achieve the maximum five-star rating.

ANCAP	Rating
Safety:

Security

The Viano was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation and achieved the following ratings:

NVSR	Rating
Theft of car:
Theft from car:

Powertrains

All of the Viano's engines prior to 2010 conformed to Euro 4 emission standards. From 2010 the engines were fitted with BlueEFFICIENCY technology and were made Euro 5 compliant. Not all engines are available in all markets.

Years	Model & Transmission	Engine	Power	Torque	Top Speed	0-62 mph	Economy	Emissions
Diesel
2004 – 2007	Viano 2.0 CDI	2.2 L, 4 in-L	109 PS (80 kW)	290 N·m (214 lb·ft)	99 mph (159 km/h)	17.6 s	31.7 mpg-imp (8.91 l/100 km)	235 g/km
2004 – 2007	Viano 2.0 CDI TouchShift	2.2 L, 4 in-L	109 PS (80 kW)	290 N·m (214 lb·ft)	98 mph (158 km/h)	17.3 s	31.7 mpg-imp (8.91 l/100 km)	235 g/km
2007 – 2010	Viano 2.0 CDI	2.2 L, 4 in-L	116 PS (85 kW)	290 N·m (214 lb·ft)	99 mph (159 km/h)	17.6 s	34.9 mpg-imp (8.09 l/100 km)	215 g/km
2007 – 2010	Viano 2.0 CDI TouchShift	2.2 L, 4 in-L	116 PS (85 kW)	290 N·m (214 lb·ft)	98 mph (158 km/h)	17.3 s	32.8 mpg-imp (8.61 l/100 km)	229 g/km
2010 - on	Viano 2.0 CDI	2.2 L, 4 in-L	136 PS (100 kW)	310 N·m (229 lb·ft)	108 mph (174 km/h)	14.1 s	38.7 mpg-imp (7.30 l/100 km)	192 g/km
2010 - on	Viano 2.0 CDI TouchShift	2.2 L, 4 in-L	136 PS (100 kW)	310 N·m (229 lb·ft)	107 mph (172 km/h)	13.1 s	34.5 mpg-imp (8.19 l/100 km)	216 g/km
2004 – 2010	Viano 2.2 CDI	2.2 L, 4 in-L	150 PS (110 kW)	330 N·m (244 lb·ft)	112 mph (180 km/h)	14.9 s	34.9 mpg-imp (8.09 l/100 km)	215 g/km
2004 – 2010	Viano 2.2 CDI TouchShift	2.2 L, 4 in-L	150 PS (110 kW)	330 N·m (244 lb·ft)	111 mph (179 km/h)	13.0 s	32.8 mpg-imp (8.61 l/100 km)	229 g/km
2010 - on	Viano 2.2 CDI	2.2 L, 4 in-L	163 PS (120 kW)	360 N·m (266 lb·ft)	117 mph (188 km/h)	12.1 s	38.7 mpg-imp (7.30 l/100 km)	192 g/km
2010 - on	Viano 2.2 CDI TouchShift	2.2 L, 4 in-L	163 PS (120 kW)	360 N·m (266 lb·ft)	113 mph (182 km/h)	11.1 s	34.5 mpg-imp (8.19 l/100 km)	216 g/km
2006 – 2010	Viano 3.0 CDI TouchShift	3.0 L, 6 in-V	204 PS (150 kW)	440 N·m (325 lb·ft)	123 mph (198 km/h)	9.2 s	30.7 mpg-imp (9.20 l/100 km)	244 g/km
2010 - on	Viano 3.0 CDI TouchShift	3.0 L, 6 in-V	224 PS (165 kW)	440 N·m (325 lb·ft)	125 mph (201 km/h)	9.1 s	32.8 mpg-imp (8.61 l/100 km)	226 g/km
Petrol
2004 – 2007	Viano 3.2 V6 TouchShift	3.2 L, 6 in-V	218 PS (160 kW)	305 N·m (225 lb·ft)	119 mph (192 km/h)	11.0 s	23.2 mpg-imp (12.2 l/100 km)	294 g/km
2007 - on	Viano 3.5 V6 TouchShift	3.5 L, 6 in-V	258 PS (190 kW)	340 N·m (251 lb·ft)	127 mph (204 km/h)	9.3 s	23.7 mpg-imp (11.9 l/100 km)	284 g/km
n/a	Viano 4.4 Brabus TouchShift	4.3 L, 6 in-V	325 PS (239 kW)	430 N·m (317 lb·ft)	143 mph (230 km/h)	7.2 s	n/a	n/a
n/a	Viano 6.1 Brabus TouchShift	6.0 L, 8 in-V	426 PS (313 kW)	621 N·m (458 lb·ft)	152 mph (245 km/h)	6.2 s	n/a	n/a

Environmental impact

EcoTest analysed the emissions from the EU4-compliant 2.0 CDI 116 PS (85 kW/114 hp) and 2.2 CDI 150 PS (110 kW/148 hp) manuals and the EU5-compliant 2.2 CDI 163 PS (120 kW/161 hp) TouchShift; the results are below:

(68/100)	2006–2010	2.0 CDI Manual	116 PS	Diesel
(64/100)	2010 - on	2.2 CDI TouchShift	163 PS	Diesel
(46/100)	2004–2010	2.2 CDI Manual	150 PS	Diesel

Next Green Car - an organisation that analyses vehicle emissions and rates them from 0 (cleanest) to 100 (dirtiest) - analysed all the emissions from six drive trains. These Green Ratings are listed below, starting with the cleanest:

53	2010-on	2.0 CDI Manual	136 PS	Diesel
53	2010-on	2.2 CDI Manual	163 PS	Diesel
59	2010-on	2.0 CDI TouchShift	136 PS	Diesel
59	2010-on	2.2 CDI TouchShift	163 PS	Diesel
62	2010-on	3.0 CDI TouchShift	224 PS	Diesel
68	2006–2010	3.0 CDI TouchShift	204 PS	Diesel
70	2004–2010	2.0 CDI TouchShift	116 PS	Diesel
71	2004–2010	2.0 CDI Manual	116 PS	Diesel
71	2004–2010	2.2 CDI Manual	150 PS	Diesel
75	2007–2010	3.5 V6 TouchShift	258 PS	Petrol
79	2004–2010	2.2 CDI TouchShift	150 PS	Diesel

4MATIC

The Viano driving through the sand dunes

Four-wheel drive is available on models fitted with 4 cylinder diesel engines. In normal operation on surfaces that provide good grip the Viano 4MATIC transfers driving power to the wheels in a 35:65 split between the front and rear axle. The 4MATIC system doesn't have mechanical differential locks. Instead the all-wheel drive system teams up with the electronic traction system 4ETS, and if one or more wheels loses traction on a slippery surface, 4ETS automatically applies brief pulses of brake pressure to the spinning wheels while increasing the torque to wheels with good grip.

4MATIC in motor sports

2006: The Viano acts as support vehicle on the Dakar Rally for the Mercedes-Benz Service and Kwikpower team

2009: The Viano 4MATIC claims victory in the SUV category in the 19th edition of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles with Irishwoman Jeanette James as pilot and Frenchwoman Anne-Marie Ortola as navigator.

Special editions

Viano X-Clusive

This special edition Viano was only available in European markets from 2008 to 2010 with either a petrol or diesel V6 engine. It came with sportier exterior details including Brilliant Silver or Obsidian Black metallic paint, redesigned radiator grille, 18" alloy wheels, a chromed exhaust tailpipe, side skirts and unique front and rear bumpers. Inside were specially designed pebble or anthracite coloured 'Twin' leather seats and a choice of grey or brown burr walnut wood accents.

Reviews

Front 3/4 view pre-facelift

Rear 3/4 view pre-facelift

The Mercedes-Benz Viano has received mixed reviews from the motoring press. The van-based design is seen as a blessing by some critics and a failing by others. As of July 2010 reviews for the facelifted Viano are not available.

• The AA
  'Image is everything in the world of business and it should come as no surprise that the Viano is the big cheese in the executive travel world.'
• Autocar
  'Still more van than MPV. Airport transport.'
• Parker's Car Guides
  'Pros: Capable of carrying eight in comfort, massive and versatile interior, superb diesels'.
  'Cons: Sheer size makes it difficult to manoeuvre, can't hide commercial vehicle origins.'
• RAC
  'With its rare combination of spacious seating and generous luggage capacity, the Viano is a paragon of practicality...'
• What Car? Reader Reviews
  'For - Comes with a choice of two wheelbases and three body lengths, plus a variety of seating arrangements and plenty of space inside. The sliding rear side doors ease access.'
  'Against - It's an expensive option, whose van roots show through in some areas. The engines are noisy and it's not easy to use the car’s full versatility...'
• Yahoo! Cars
  'Most MPVs never make that much sense because when full of people theres nowhere for the lugagge to go. No such problem exists with the vast Viano.'