Refreshed range

New name and engine for Mercedes-benz Valente

Mercedes-benz Vans has announced a new engine lineup for its revised Vito range effective from this month.

The refreshed Vito line-up – which now includes the newly named Vito Tourer – is expected to arrive in showrooms from May and will be offered with the German marque’s new OM 654-series four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that promises smoother and more efficient running.

Paired to Mercedes-benz’s 9Gtronic nine-speed automatic transmission as standard and bringing with it a wider ratio spread than the outgoing seven-speed unit, the Vito range’s new all-aluminium powertrain incorporates a diesel particulate filter design located closer to the engine for faster warm-up times.

Further, the low cylinder spacing of the 1950cc engine, rear camshaft drive and adjacent-mounted Lanchester balancer shafts contribute to what Mercedes-benz says is an exceptionally compact and lightweight design that is more durable and reliable than the outgoing OM651 and OM626 units.

For reference, the OM654 engine weighs 168.4kg, which is 17 percent lighter than the outgoing 2143cc unit.

The OM654 engine becomes standard on all Vito 116 and 119 variants with the same power and torque outputs as offered previously. For Vito 116 that means 120kw at 3800rpm and 380Nm from 1600-2600rpm and for Vito 119 140kw at 3800rpm and 440Nm between 1600-2400rpm.

Additionally, all Vito 116 and 119 variants now receive adaptive cruise control, tinted windows, comfort seats and all-weather rubber floor mats as standard.

The entry-level Vito 111 is powered by the carryover Om622-series engine and six-speed manual transmission pairing.

The newly christened Vito Tourer will also shift to the new OM654 engine and 9G-tronic pairing and will receive specification upgrades that include adaptive cruise control, tinted windows, seat cushion length adjustment, 17-inch alloy wheels and velour floor mats.

Mercedes-benz Vans says the model’s name change aligns it with the ‘global naming convention for the product line and future products to come, such as the evito Tourer later this year’.

The Vito range now begins at $44,058 plus on-road costs for the base-grade 111 SWB Van.

Depending on variant, the Vito range rises in price from between $1158 and $4536 with Vito Tourers facing the largest overall increase.

The Vito Tourer is now priced from $70,336 plus on-road costs, making it the third most expensive variant in the reformed Vito range behind the 119 MWB Crew Cab Van, $70,662, and 119 LWB Crew Cab Van, $72,921, variants.

Mercedes-benz Vans says the new name and specifications take effect for all vehicles produced from this month and that the first vehicles are expected to arrive for sale from May.

The revised Vito and Vito Tourer ranges are available for order now.