ROAD TEST: Mercedes-Benz V250 BlueTec Avantgarde
By: Denis Droppa
Johannesburg - Sometimes the best-laid plans go awry and my scheduled long-distance family trip in the Mercedes-Benz V-Class didn’t come about, so I spent the week using it to commute to and from work, driving solo.
Not the best test of this vehicle’s skills, admittedly, but I did spend some time evaluating the various seating permutations that allow the interior of this luxury seven-seater bus (or optionally eight-seater) to be adapted to various passenger and cargo scenarios.
It’s a very roomy cabin with the three seating rows laid out in 2+2+3 configuration. The middle two seats can be set to face either forwards or backwards but it’s not a simple thing to do; they have to be physically removed and lifted and they’re heavy, making it a tricky and sweaty job for at least two people. In a rival vehicle like the Volkswagen Caravelle you can swivel the middle seats 180 degrees by simply tugging a lever.
The Merc’s rear bench can be moved forward to increase luggage space but again it’s a two-person exercise and it can’t be accomplished while seated; it can only be adjusted from the boot. There’s definitely some room for improvement on the user-friendliness front.
That said, there are some handy features including a backboard in the cargo hold with pop-up storage baskets that fold flat when not needed. Also, our test vehicle came with an optional folding table that slots between the rear seats, useful for an on-the-move meal or working on a laptop. The V-Class also has the useful ability for the rear window to open separately from the tailgate, allowing luggage to be loaded into the boot in tight parking spaces.
LUXURIOUS FEATURES
The biggest appeal of the new V-Class is its luxurious feel, which has been hiked up a few notches compared to its predecessor, the Mercedes Viano. The interior trimmings are straight out of Merc’s luxury sedans, complete with classy metallic switches, making for the most plush cabin you’ll find in the mini-bus class. Every version of the five-model V-Class range cossets its passengers in luxury cowhide seats, while the top-spec Avantgarde model tested here lays on extra comforts such as nappa leather, and the convenience of electronically-operated side doors and tailgate.
The range-topping Avantgarde model is sold standard with electrically adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, a high-end Burmester audio system, and Comand Online which combines all audio, telephone and navigation functions (including real-time traffic data), voice control and an internet browser.
Under the name Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive, standard safety across the range includes Crosswind Assist which minimises the vehicle’s sensitivity to strong side winds, and Attention Assist which warns the driver of inattention and possible drowsiness.
Also standard are front and rear parking sensors, along with Active Parking Assist which automatically steers this bus into parallel or alley-docking bays.
There’s a lane-keeping assist function too, although it malfunctioned in our test car and displayed an error message on the instrument panel.
CUSHY RIDE
The Benz bus wafts along with more bump-soaking finesse than a Caravelle, assisted by Agility Control Suspension that adapts the damping system to the road conditions. Despite its large size and weight, the V-Class is a fairly neutral and confident handler around corners and the body roll’s not unbearable.
The version we tested was the top-of-the-range V250 BlueTec Avantgarde, equipped with a 2.1 turbodiesel engine that sends a fairly eager 140kW and 440Nm through the rear wheels.
The seven-speed auto gearbox makes smooth shifts, although the auto start-stop function sometimes made pulloffs happen with a lurch. The ‘box offers normal, sport and economy modes which made a significant difference to the gearchange protocols.
Fuel consumption averaged a decent 9.5 litres per 100km with my solo-driving efforts, though this will probably increase with a load of passengers on board.
Prices include a six-year/100 000km maintenance contract. Service intervals are 40 000km.
VERDICT
The entry-level V-Class at R695 981 is priced well inside Volkswagen Caravelle territory, but if you want your Benz with extra power and all the bells and whistles like the V250 BlueTec Avantgarde version on test here, prices soar right up to R984 196. More, if you tick those options boxes.
This luxury Benz bus delivers business-class comfort, making it ideal for shuttling VIPs in style between the airport and their five-star hotels.
FACTS
Mercedes-Benz V250 BlueTec Avantgarde
Engine: 2.1-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 140kW @ 3800rpm
Torque: 440Nm @ 1400-2400rpm
0-100km/h (claimed): 9.1 seconds
Top speed (claimed): 206km/h
Consumption (tested): 9.5 litres per 100km
Price: R984 196
Warranty: 2-year/unlimited km
Maintenance plan: 6-year/100 000km