New V-Class Merc breaks MPV mould

The result is another diamond in the German car manufacturer's star-studded design crown - a spacious, luxury vehicle with room for up to eight people but with furnishings, elegance and ride quality of a smart sedan.

The biggest draw-card of the new V-Class is that it can be configured to serve as a perfect mum's taxi, or transformed to accommodate a group of outdoor fans plus their kit, including a mountain bikes, or it can be dressed up for business as a VIP shuttle with all the mod cons.

The V-Class is available in three equipment lines: V-Class Standard, V-Class BlueTEC and V-Class Bluetec Avantgarde and with an exterior sports package and an interior design package available for each line, plus a host of optional extras, the new MPV can be individualised to suit any taste and requirement.

Typical of the three-pointed star brand the latest addition to the already extensive Merc line-up brims with wall-to-wall fancy kit and safety features plus a long list of optional extras which can rocket the purchase prices by substantial margins.

The numerous features and additional options are much too detailed and too numerous to discuss in detail here so best ask your local dealer to describe "Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive" (which includes Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist and Active Parking Assist) and some of the other features as well as optional extras such as a 360° camera, Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control with Collision Prevention Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, the LED Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. (Some of these assistance systems are available in this segment for the first time).

The V-Class is powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine in three power output levels: The V 200 CDI develops 100 kW of power and a maximum torque of 330 Nm. The V 220 CDI generates 120 kW of power and 380 Nm. Merc claims fuel consumption of 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 149 grams per kilometre (although this would be extremely difficult to achieve when fully-laden and travelling in the infamous Cape's howling south-easter).

With a power output of 140 kW and a healthy peak torque of 440 Nm, the top-of-the-line V 250 BlueTEC engine packs a solid punch which, during hard acceleration, increases by an additional 10 kW and 40 Nm, known as "over-torque" pushing output up to 150 kW and 480 Nm. The V 250 BlueTEC accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 9.1 seconds.

During a brief introductory drive in Johannesburg's crowded city and suburban streets the V's keenness to trot was immediately noticeable. What also made a good impression was the snazzy finish and furnishings of the well-insulated cabin, the sedan-like drive, acres of passenger and luggage space and the flexibility of the seating arrangements.

Standard across-the-range kit include Audio 20 USB with a free-standing 7-inch central display, piano-lacquer-look trim, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel with 12 buttons and sporty DIRECT SELECT selector lever with steering wheel shift paddles (in the case of automatic transmission), fully adjustable steering column, luxury front seats and the ease of passenger entrance and exit via a wide sliding door.

The V-Class also offers a push-button choice of four driving modes: economical, comfortable, sporty and manual.

The big appeal of the V-Class is its seating which has scope for many different configurations: As standard, the MPV can be equipped with four individual luxury seats with armrests in two seat rows. Other configurations include the six, seven and eight seat layout. The seats can be folded forward for easy access to the rear and as an option a folding table can be installed between the single seats.

A handy feature is the separately opening rear windscreen which can be opened and closed independently of the tailgate. There is even a load-compartment organiser which can bear up to 50 kilograms and has two recesses, each of which holds a removable and collapsible shopping basket.

The new V-Class is a multi-talented range and although it slots into the upper price bracket it offers a wide array of features (both standard and optional) that no other vehicle in this class can match, let alone beat - and the cherry on top is a purchase price-inclusive six-year/100 000km maintenance contract with no customer contribution.

The prices and models of the V-Class are: