Mercedes V-class Marco Polo
Luxurious camper impresses, but doesn’t come cheap
THE Mercedes Marco Polo is designed to give Volkswagen’s California some competition in the compact camper van market. Based on the brand’s V-class people carrier, it will be sold through regular dealers.
The Marco Polo has the traditional camper van layout of a side kitchen with seats and bed capacity for up to four people. The roof rises electrically on all editions, and the second row of seats inflates automatically when it’s being folded down into a bed.
Two engine options are available; both four-cylinder diesels. The V 220 d driven here is the entry point; it has 161bhp and 380Nm of torque, and claims average fuel economy of 44.8mpg with 166g/km CO2 emissions. Step up to the V 250 d and you get the same basic fuel consumption figure, along with 187bhp and an additional 60Nm of torque.
It’s easy to convert the big Mercedes to overnight accommodation. The roof takes around 30 seconds to expand fully and a pair of switches operates the main bed downstairs. The upper bed is perhaps slightly more comfortable, but there’s no denying that up to four people can get a decent night’s kip on board. The optional auxiliary heater is worth the cash, we reckon, particularly for cool British nights.
On the road, the V 220 d Marco Polo is an accomplished cruiser. The 2.1-litre diesel has a fair amount of weight to shift when you’re pulling away and you’ll need to remember it weighs nearly two-and-a-half tonnes when you’re trying to stop it. But at a steady 65mph you won’t have to shout over anything from the engine bay – and if you adopt a smooth driving style, you’ll find the seven-speed auto an intelligent assistant.
The Marco Polo is set up for comfort, so it doesn’t like sudden changes of direction, but it does a decent job of soaking up most road imperfections. And in any case, as with the California, purchasing a Marco Polo means you’re buying into a lifestyle as much as four wheels and an engine.