Mercedes Benz May Bring Next Gen RWD V-Class Minivan to U.S.

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

Though the company is officially mum on the topic, sources within Mercedes-Benz tell Automotive News that it may sell the next generation of its V-Class European passenger van (sold as the Viano in some markets) and Vito commercial van in the United States. The new trucks go on sale in Europe next year and could arrive in the States the following year. If it were to be sold here, it would be the only rear wheel drive competitor in a segment that includes the Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna. It’s also a bit larger than a U.S. market minivan.

The Vito, which is smaller than Mercedes’ Sprinter commercial van, would compete with the Ford Transit and the Nissan NV 200, which is also being marketed as the Chevrolet City Express.

The V-Class and Vito share a platform, and both will be offered with all wheel drive. Four or six cylinder engines will be available. The new van and will have a more carlike and luxurious interior than the outgoing model, with features like wood decor, ambient lighting, advanced electronics and a panoramic glass roof.

TTAC Staff
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  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Nov 13, 2013

    If it doesn't take too much for federalization, they might as well bring it here. A few women will buy them here, if they want to impress the neighbors when they pull up at some local establishment. I feel this would do better in Canada than the US. They like different Merc products, B-Class and whatnot. Plus didn't Derek say the R-Class did well there?

  • Rod Panhard Rod Panhard on Nov 13, 2013

    The write-up on the Viano on Wikipedia is brief. What it does mention is that this product is available with all-wheel-drive. An all-wheel-drive small commercial van could be interesting. An all-wheel-drive MPV that's the size of a Mazda 5 could be interesting. I'm not sure how big the appeal of all that would be, but given that a lot of people I know with degrees from hot shot schools are convinced they need all-wheel-drive 365 days are appropriate for those seven or eight days it snows but the plows clear it out before lunch.... Yeah. Mercedes-Benz can sell this, er, lease it around here....

  • Ajla So a $10K+ transmission repair?
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X I've mentioned before about being very underwhelmed by the Hornet for a $50000+ all in price tag. Just wasn't for me. I'd prefer a Mazda CX-5 or even a Rogue.
  • MaintenanceCosts Other sources seem to think that the "electric Highlander" will be built on TNGA and that the other 3-row will be on an all-new EV-specific platform. In that case, why bother building the first one at all?
  • THX1136 Two thoughts as I read through the article. 1) I really like the fins on this compared to the others. For me this is a jet while the others were propeller driven craft in appearance.2) The mention of the wider whitewalls brought to mind a vague memory. After the wider version fell out of favor I seem to remember that one could buy add-on wide whitewalls only that fit on top of the tire so the older look could be maintained. I remember they would look relatively okay until the add-on would start to ripple and bow out indicating their exact nature. Thanks for the write up, Corey. Looking forward to what's next.
  • Analoggrotto It's bad enough we have to read your endless Hyundai Kia Genesis shilling, we don't want to hear actually it too. We spend good money on speakers, headphones and amplifiers!
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