This classic among large-capacity vans is a perennial favourite: with its GVW of 6.0 to 7.5 t the Mercedes-Benz Vario has been a robust and durable base vehicle for high-end camper vans for the last ten years. And now, the new generation of the Vario has arrived. The enhancements to this model are centred around the engines, which now meet the Euro 4 exhaust emissions standard, and new transmissions. These are complemented by updated cab interiors.

BlueTec for Euro 4: cleaner emissions, lower fuel consumption

Clean-running BlueTec engines featuring SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology are the key feature of the new generation of the Vario. Comprehensive enhancements to the diesel engines played a key role in enabling the adoption of BlueTec technology. These modifications focused on reducing untreated emissions even further by optimising the combustion process to minimise particulate formation while reducing fuel consumption. Combustion, which is so efficient that a particulate filter is unnecessary, is followed by an exhaust gas aftertreatment stage based on the SCR principle. This involves an aqueous urea solution (marketed under the name AdBlue) reacting with the oxides of nitrogen in a catalytic converter and reducing them to harmless nitrogen and water vapour.

Filling up with AdBlue is a straightforward process which is performed using a second filler neck immediately adjacent to the fuel filler neck. Located under the bonnet, the AdBlue reservoir has a capacity of 18 litres which ensures that it only needs to be refilled at approximately every third refuelling stop. AdBlue is available at numerous filling stations throughout Europe (www.findadblue.com).

Powerful and economical engines

The Vario continues to be driven by powerful four-cylinder turbodiesel engines taken from the OM 904 LA series. The state-of-the-art power plants with a capacity of 4.25 litres feature fully electronic engine management, three valves per cylinder and pump-line-nozzle injection technology with dedicated unit pumps for each cylinder. The engines are available in three power categories: 95 kW (129 hp) output and 500 Nm torque, 115 kW (156 hp) and 610 Nm, 130 kW (177 hp) and 675 Nm.

Choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission

All Vario models are now equipped as standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Even greater comfort is available by choosing the new, optional five-speed automatic transmission with lock-up clutch (previously four-speed), which is now available for all output ratings. The close ratio spacing in both of the new Vario transmissions results in superior tractive power and greater economy..

New colours and fabric inside the cab

The elegant new door trim panels with integrated stowage pockets immediately stand out, as do the restyled wheel arch covers. The instrument panel with its new two-tone black and grey finish is equally eye-catching. Also new are the interior trims, the roof lining and the upholstery fabrics.

The Mercedes-Benz Vario continues to play on its proven strengths: it is robust and dependable, has a high payload and is available in a large number of variants, including panel van, chassis with cab and even all-wheel-drive versions. Further evidence of the flexibility of the Vario is provided by the fact that it is available in as many as four different wheelbases.