Mercedes V-Class. Best in its class. Redefining luxury travel.

This Mercedes-Benz V-Class has been in showrooms for some months now and many Malaysians really have no idea of its existence. The V-Class sets new benchmarks in its segment with its design and a host of new innovations to offer the ultimate experience for those who prefer to be chauffeur driven.

The new V-Class provides optimum flexibility when it comes to use of the interior and cuts an elegant figure at the same time. With the two equipment lines; V-Class and V-Class AVANTGARDE, an Exterior Sports package and an Interior Design package for each line, two wheelbases, three body lengths from 4895 to 5370 millimetres, and also many optional extras, the new V-Class can be individualised to suit any taste and requirement. As a result, it meets a wide variety of customer needs and is just as attractive for families as it is for people who need a variable and spacious interior for their leisure and sports activities.

Emotional, dynamic appearance – size in a new guise

Even at first glance the V-Class is unmistakably a member of the Mercedes-Benz passenger car family and sets an emotional highlight in its segment. At the centre of the powerful front is the upright radiator grille with three-dimensional central star and the progressively designed headlamps, which for the first time in this segment offer all lighting functions in LED technology as an option. The sculptured V-shaped bonnet merges elegantly into the sporty chrome frame of the radiator grille and the headlamps. The lower air intakes and the radiator grille feature narrow louvres. In conjunction with the headlamps, which extend far into the wings, they emphasise the width of the vehicle and underscore the self-confident appearance of the new V-Class.

The clearly contoured side wall is structured by two elongated, taut lines. The interplay of concave and convex surfaces conveys a sculptural – and as such highly sensuous – character. Both lines smoothly continue the distinctive contour lines of the front bumper and rise slightly as they continue on towards the rear. The side view thus appears stretched, suggesting dynamism.

Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive – exemplary safety

A high level of driving comfort and an exemplary standard of safety are ensured by a total of eleven innovative driver assistance systems. They are based on state-of-the-art radar, camera and ultrasound sensors, which were introduced in the new E-Class and S-Class under the name “Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive”. Standard equipment includes Crosswind Assist, which helps the driver to stabilise the V-Class in strong, gusting crosswinds, and ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn of inattention and drowsiness. An available option is Active Parking Assist. It makes parking as easy and convenient as parking a compact car.

Also optionally available are the 360° camera, DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, Traffic Sign Assist with wrong-way warning function, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, the LED Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. Most of these assistance systems are available in this segment for the first time.

Top efficiency: six-cylinder performance with four-cylinder fuel consumption

The new V-Class comes with the state-of-the-art 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with two-stage turbocharging, which has already proven highly successful in many passenger car model series from the A-Class to the S-Class, and which has now been further enhanced specifically for the V-Class. The V 220 d generates 120 kW (163 hp) and 380 Newton metres. With fuel consumption of just 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres and CO₂ emissions of 149 grams per kilometre, the V 220 d occupies an absolutely leading position in the segment.

The V 220 d is equipped with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission with DIRECT SELECT lever and DIRECT SELECT shift paddles.

New standard of agility and driving pleasure

To enhance personal driving pleasure, the V-Class is the only vehicle in its segment to offer the AGILITY SELECT function in conjunction with the automatic transmission. At the push of a button the driver can select from four driving modes: economical, comfortable, sporty and manual. Engine, accelerator and transmission response are then adapted accordingly.

Ground-breaking features in this category of vehicles also include the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective adjustment of the damping system to the road conditions and the latest generation of ADAPTIVE ESP^®, featuring many assistance functions for optimum driving safety. The light and precise electromechanical power steering likewise contributes greatly to the well-balanced driving comfort in the new V-Class.

Leading the field in aerodynamics and noise comfort

Low drag is crucial to achieving outstanding efficiency. With a C_d figure of 0.31, the V-Class is the most aerodynamic vehicle in its segment. This outstanding figure is the result of intensive detailed improvement work – from modifications to the basic vehicle design to large areas of underbody panelling and aerodynamically optimised wheel arches and exterior mirrors. Other focuses of the aerodynamic development work were on reducing wind noise and keeping the windows and exterior mirrors largely free of soiling even in inclement weather – a major factor for perceptual safety.

The level of noise and perceptible vibrations has a major influence on the sense of wellbeing in an automobile. Experts use the term NVH for this: Noise Vibration Harshness. Throughout the development period, the engineers at Mercedes-Benz showed an almost forensic fervour in investigating every possible source of noise and vibrations, so as to eliminate these with specific measures. As a result, thanks to new component concepts and comprehensive insulation the V-Class offers its occupants the lowest noise level in the segment. The interior noise level has been almost halved compared to the preceding model.

Modern style and high-class appeal

The interior of the V-Class is a completely new experience. And not only because it is pleasantly quiet. High-quality materials with a pleasant touch and feel and a harmonious colour concept, intricate details as well as a progressive and sensuous design idiom convey outstanding high-class appeal in the segment – and that hallmark “welcome home” feeling typical of Mercedes-Benz cars. Fine nappa leather is available for the seats, steering wheel and shift lever. This inviting atmosphere is rounded off by subtle ambient lighting in three colours.

A particular eye-catcher is the dynamically styled two-part dashboard. The upper and lower sections are separated by a large, three-dimensional trim element that creates an impression of width and underscores the high-class appeal. The lower section is sculptural in design. This emphasises the generous sense of space while also exuding a tangible lightness. For the first time in this class, a leather-look cockpit upper section with lavishly finished topstitching is optionally available.

Other highlights include the free-standing central display, the multifunction steering wheel with 12 buttons and DIRECT SELECT lever with steering wheel shift paddles for automatic models, as well as the innovative touchpad, which allows all telematics functions to be operated by means of gestures or by entering characters in the same way as on a smartphone. The touchpad is available in conjunction with equipment starting from the Audio 20 CD or COMAND Online.

Available as an option, the latest generation of COMAND Online combines all audio, telephone and navigation functions and additionally offers an internet browser, the LINGUATRONIC voice control system and transmission of traffic data in real time. The optional Burmester^® surround sound system with 16 high-performance loudspeakers, including a bass reflex loudspeaker, delivers the perfect listening experience. It provides exceptional surround sound, and in combination with COMAND Online allows technically supported front-to-rear voice amplification: where necessary to improve communication, a microphone in the overhead control panel transmits conversation between the driver and front passenger to the rear loudspeakers so that the passengers sitting further away can also hear them.

A new dimension in comfort

The V-Class also sets new standards in comfort and variability with a host of innovations. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class is the only vehicle in the segment to offer optional 4-way lumbar support and active seat ventilation with reversing fans to ensure a consistent relative humidity at the contact area with the leather seat for driver and front passenger.

Also unique in this class of vehicles is the enhanced THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system, which is available as an option in addition to the standard-fit TEMPMATIC system. It has various ventilation modes to offer individual climate control. The FOCUS, MEDIUM and DIFFUSE climate modes have distinct settings for air flow and distribution. In addition, the THERMOTRONIC system features automatic pre-entry climate control at the touch of a button on the vehicle key, an integral demisting sensor and distribution of cooled air to the driver and front passenger sides, the intensity of which is automatically controlled by the position of the sun. Equally unique is the tunnel detection feature with self-activating air recirculation. The climate control system uses the map information from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel, subsequently re-opening it when the vehicle emerges from the tunnel.

Numerous seating and loading configurations

The seating in the rear allows numerous configurations to meet any requirements. As standard, the V-Class is equipped with four individual luxury seats with armrests in two seat rows. Thanks to improved technology and operating logic, they can be folded forward intuitively to afford fast and easy access to the rear. As an option, a folding table can be installed between the single seats.

As an alternative to the individual seats, a two-passenger bench seat with two-piece, individually folding backrest, or a three-passenger bench seat with two-piece seat cushion and three-piece backrest is available for both rear rows. The outer right-hand seat of the three-seater bench can be folded forward or taken out separately. The entire bench can be folded forward to create space for large items, such as sports equipment or newly purchased furniture. For overnight accommodation in the V-Class, the rearmost row can also be equipped with a three-passenger bench seat as a comfort berth. Drawers are located underneath the berth, which can also be used as a second loading level. Cargo can also be stowed under all other bench seats. Moreover, like the individual seats, all bench seats are fitted with integral three-point seat belts.

Thanks to the optimised seat rails with quick-release system, very little effort is required to move the individual seats and benches fore and aft or to position them as vis-à-vis seats. They can all be removed as well to create a loading area tailored to specific needs at any time.

Separately opening rear window and second loading level

For easy loading and unloading, the V-Class features another first in this segment in the shape of the separately opening rear windscreen attached to the upper tailgate frame. It can be opened and closed independently of the tailgate. This makes loading and unloading easier in two respects: on the one hand, it allows a second loading level; on the other – particularly in tight parking spaces – there is no need to open the large tailgate. The corresponding load-compartment organiser is easy to install and remove. It can bear up to 50 kilograms and has two recesses, each of which holds a removable and collapsible shopping basket. In the V-Class AVANTGARDE, the separately opening rear windscreen including load-compartment organiser is a standard feature.

Another USP for the new V-Class: the tailgate is optionally available as an EASY-PACK tailgate, with convenient power opening and closing that can be stopped in any position. As a result even lightly built people have no difficulty in closing the tailgate.

The V-Class AVANTGARDE design and equipment line features additional highlights, such as leather seats, a leather steering wheel, ambient lighting, wood-look trim (also in the rear), LED High Performance headlamps with Intelligent Light System, separately opening rear window with second loading level, an additional sliding door on the left, laminated glass windows for additional noise reduction, and the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping system for even better agility and ride comfort.

The new V 220 d is available for order at all authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers starting from RM 434,888 (OTR without Insurance). Price is inclusive of GST.

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class at a glance

For more information, kindly log on to www.mercedes-benz.com.my