2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris Weekender First Look

2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris Weekender First Look



Renault's Master range is -- as is the case with the Ducato -- a limited one, but whilst the entry-level models are in the same ballpark for pricing as the Sprinter, the price doesn't rise as steeply for longer wheelbase and higher roof models. The engine combined well with the five-speed automatic transmission, which, while it wasn't as quick to kick-down as some might expect from passenger car automatics, it did what was required to keep the lower-revving diesel working in the appropriate engine speed range for a balance of optimum fuel economy and performance. The Sprinters come equipped with an adaptive electronic stability program, which, linked through ABS and EBD, can re-calculate the vehicle's weight, balance and even centre of gravity on the fly, to minimise the risk of the vehicle losing control. The new infotainment system can also receive remote data from fleet managers through a new Mercedes PRO platform, which will certainly be a hit with certain commercial crowds. This can detect when a gust of wind pummels into the side of the van and compensates for it, meaning you stay driving in the direction you intend. Combining cloud-based control software with optimised hardware, the Vision Van sets new standards in efficiency, quality and flexibility for last-mile delivery services.



Ride quality is on the softer side for the class, but body movement is generally composed, and the steering is direct, responsive, and the Sprinter generally follows where directed without much fuss. How about a knurled dashboard dial instead of the steering column wand? Increasingly, occupational health and safety concerns provide the catalyst for a commercial vehicle fleet operator deciding to buy a Mercedes-Benz van over a competitive vehicle that might cost less to purchase. It is your choice of ford transit van accessories that determines how effective the van performs the task it is assigned. One of Santos鈥?Marin clients refers to his Sprinter van as his 鈥渕obile decompression chamber.鈥?The tech executive hired a driver to offset the inconvenience of the two-hour-drive to Silicon Valley during rush-hour traffic, using the time to work, make calls or stretch out his legs and simply tune out. Out on the road, the V6 turbodiesel in the long-wheelbase 318 CDI was willing and even slightly sporty sounding.



Even Volkswagen's basic 65kW five-cylinder turbodiesel develops the same torque as the 88hp four-cylinder Sprinter -- and power is the same too. Ford's VM Transit is likely to be the vehicle most operators will immediately compare with the Sprinter -- and it certainly is markedly cheaper -- but cannot seem to muster the same cargo volume or the large aperture for rear-door loading. The optional barn doors, when specified, will open through a 270 degree arc, folding back along the outer sides of the vehicle to facilitate reversing right up to a loading dock. I am open for suggestions. With its large mirrors, the Sprinter offers easy parking, up to the point where the driver has to guestimate the distance to an object behind the vehicle -- and that's where the reverse parking sensors would come in handy. What a shame then, that Mercedes-Benz doesn't fit reverse parking sensors as standard to all vans.



Mercedes-Benz strongly recommends fitting the spare and driving gently to the nearest repairer to have the punctured tyre repaired or replaced. It could probably be classified as a safety issue; the spare tyre for the SuSi models doesn't really pass muster. The SuSi Sprinters are fitted with different width tyres from front to rear -- 205mm at the front and 285mm at the rear. This is almost a case where an aerosol tyre repair kit might actually be preferable to the spare, since it could generally be relied on to fix punctures in both the front wheels and the rear -- including the dual rear wheels of the heavier models. According to Mercedes-Benz, these "tyre fix" kits "don't have wide support in Australia". Given almost identical dimensions and closely aligned pricing, the Crafter doesn't necessarily have a USP that gives it a particular advantage over the Mercedes. Starting alphabetically, there's the Fiat Ducato, the Transit itself, Iveco Daily, Renault Master, Toyota HiAce at a pinch and -- brother under the skin -- the Volkswagen Crafter.



The Iveco Daily competes closely with the Sprinter, but seems to be higher-priced than the Mercedes. As for the Sprinter, the Crafter is available in van, cab chassis and dual cab styles -- and the sheer diversity of model variants is bewilderingly huge. With a larger radiator grille featuring the electric drive logo, stylish LED daytime driving lights below the headlamps, wider door sills and several modifications to the rear the new model is much more dynamic than its predecessor. The 2021 E-class goes on sale at the end of this year, but Mercedes hasn't yet said how much each model will cost. Facing forward and located over the centre fascia is a large, covered storage bin, which will hold a compendious street directory. We decided this: Instead of dogs mushing us from town to town, we鈥檇 rent an RV and drive nearly 1,600 miles over the 鈥?The technical features of the extremely compact and smooth CDI powerplant with rear camshaft drive include fourth-generation common-rail direct injection with an injection pressure of 2,000 bar and a two-stage turbocharger system. The SWB 309 CDI with standard roof will accommodate a 7.5 cubic metre payload measuring 2600mm long, 1780mm wide and 1650mm high.