As the world embraces van life and celebrates breaking free, Mercedes-Benz has added a new premium Vito to its line-up, targeting private users. PETER FROST tests the mettle of the new Vito Tourer Select in the remote Northern Cape.
MAYBE IT’S a South African thing, that dream of an open road, a big sky and a road trip playlist through a landscape as old as time. But maybe it’s more ancient than that, a need to discover new places, all the better for settling the restless soul.
Whichever, Mercedes-Benz understands the urge better than most. Its range of touring vehicles is astonishing indeed, from compact SUVs such as the GLA all the way through to the V-Class, the marque’s all-singing, all-dancing bespoke luxury 8-seater van. It’s hands down the most exclusive way to transport a crew of (very lucky) people in absolute comfort.
Still, its ultra-premium positioning isn’t for everyone and to address that, Mercedes-Benz has introduced Select, a premium version of the Vito, which to date has largely served the business market.
The new Vito Select then adds a long list of standard equipment ideal for families of every kind. There are two iterations: the five-seater Mixto, which has a ridiculously generous 4.1m3 of load volume in the back, and the eight-seater Tourer, which is ideal for larger families.
It’s the Tourer we were more interested in and to test its abilities on all kinds of roads we headed to the rarified air of the far distant Northern Cape around Garies to discover back roads, crazy-steep passes, hidden settlements and the essence of ‘out there’.
Out on the N7, heading towards Namibia, it became immediately obvious that there simply isn’t anything on the market that comes close for stressless, graceful progress. The Tourer, with its 2L turbo-diesel, is a consummate distance-eater, and with 140kW and 440Nm on tap there’s plenty in the tail to deliver a surprise sting or two to the manne in their double-cabs. That turbo-diesel will go down in history one day as an alltime great – muscular, frugal and crazy-good, especially when mated to the silky 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. It is simply unchallenged as a long-distance expert.
Inside, of course, the Tourer is exceptional: comfy, space for eight with – in our opinion – a good balance of necessary safety and infotainment tech without the full V-Class suite of aids. Both sliding doors are automatic, and if that sounds like too much, try being on holiday with six in the back and see how valuable those doors become.
Up the N7 and around Garies, we found a garden. But a wild one. Turning off, we headed into the granite interior and the passes became alien, other-worldly landscapes that are bigger and more frightening than the main route byways. The Tourer doubled down and coped masterfully, with the chassis, suspension and drive setup easily the measure of the landscape. It’s in terrain like this that you appreciate thorough research and development, knowing that your chosen wheels have 140 years of experience to draw on.
Hours later, far from the madding crowd, we climbed out, listened to the quiet, hiked across the veld and breathed in. This is what touring is all about. Back on the tar, the turbo-diesel dug deep and the overall competence of the Vito shone once again. It is genuinely a complete package, a commanding cruiser, by turns whisper-quiet and restful, then forceful and authoritative when overtaking. And efficient.
As the sun set and Springbok appeared in the heat haze, the onboard monitor suggested 7.6L/100km, astonishing for a van as muscular and commodious as this. The Vito Tourer Select had proven to be practical, luxurious and adaptable enough for every lifestyle. A van for all seasons, for all reasons. V
For more information, visit mercedes-benz.co.za.