2016 Mercedes Benz Metris

[Madman]

Mercedes Benz will expand it's van lineup in North America by offing the Vito/V-Class on these shores under the Metris name.

Both cargo and passenger versions will be available but Mercedes hasn't yet released any information regarding pricing or specifications.

Metris has been previewed at the 2014 Las Vegas SEMA show.


http://www.autoblog.com/2014/11/04/mercedes-metris-sema-concepts-debut/

http://www.leftlanenews.com/sema-preview-mercedes-benz-metris-midsize-van.html

[2o6]

Cheaper alternative to the Sprinter and more direct rival to the Transit, I presume.




Also, GM seems to be absent from all this. Ford seems to be dominating this market, and Nissan and MB are starting to gain real market share.

[veeman]

Cheaper alternative to the Sprinter and more direct rival to the Transit, I presume.

Cheaper than the Sprinter? 

[Madman]

Cheaper alternative to the Sprinter and more direct rival to the Transit, I presume.

Smaller than both Transit and Sprinter.  The cargo version won't have a direct competitor in the US since it's also larger then the Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City and Nissan NV200.  In Europe, this "mid-sized" van goes up against Ford Transit/Tourneo Custom, Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert, Renault Trafic and Volkswagen Transporter/Caravelle.  The passenger model is similar in size to traditional American minivans.

Cheaper than the Sprinter? 

Yes, the Metris (AKA Vito/Vclass) is both smaller and cheaper than the full-sized Sprinter.  It's also larger and more expensive than the Mercedes Benz Citan, which is a Renault Kangoo with a nose job.  The Citan/Kangoo lines up against small cargo vans like the Ford Transit Connect, Opel Combo, Fiat Doblo (AKA Ram ProMaster City), Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo.

[Madman]

More details on the Metris.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/11/mercedes-benz-metris-north-americas-v-class/


Like the Sprinter, the Metris will be shipped to America in partially knocked-down form and reassembled at a facility in Ladson, South Carolina to avoid the dreaded 25% "Chicken Tax" on imported commercial vehicles.

[cawimmer430]

Why are they calling it "Metris"? What's wrong with the "V" labeling for the US market?

[Madman]

Why are they calling it "Metris"? What's wrong with the "V" labeling for the US market?

I haven't a clue.  You'd have to ask Mercedes Benz that question.

I'd like to know myself, too.

[Madman]

slightly more info here...

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/11/05/mercedes-benz-midsize-metris-van-sema-2014/


Nice to see Mercedes display at least one van that hasn't been molested with a bunch of silly tacked-on crap.

[Raza]

What's that weird little cutout on the front door?

[2o6]

What's that weird little cutout on the front door?

Fuel foor?

[Raza]

Fuel foor?

Seems like an odd spot for it, doesn't it?  I'd expect it to be where all the other fuel doors are on Mercedes cars; passenger side rear. 

Though I can't seem to find any pictures from the other side.

[2o6]

Seems like an odd spot for it, doesn't it?  I'd expect it to be where all the other fuel doors are on Mercedes cars; passenger side rear. 

Though I can't seem to find any pictures from the other side.

Fuel tank might be under the floor due to cabover variants

[Laconian]

More details on the Metris.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/11/mercedes-benz-metris-north-americas-v-class/


Like the Sprinter, the Metris will be shipped to America in partially knocked-down form and reassembled at a facility in Ladson, South Carolina to avoid the dreaded 25% "Chicken Tax" on imported commercial vehicles.

What constitutes "knocking down"? Could they just take off a passenger mirror and reinstall it at the destination?

[ifcar]

What constitutes "knocking down"? Could they just take off a passenger mirror and reinstall it at the destination?

The engine, drivetrain, suspension and a handful of other components are removed and put into crates (or, in the case of the front fascia and tires, in the back of the van). Those crates are loaded onto one cargo ship, while the Sprinter bodies are loaded onto another, thus eliminating any chance a completed vehicle could arrive on our shores.

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/sprinter-and-chicken-tax

[Raza]

Fuel tank might be under the floor due to cabover variants

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that.

[CALL_911]

Speaking of MB, I've been seeing so many cars with that stupid illuminated star in the grille lately (mostly CLA, ML, and GL). It looks terrrrrrrrrible

They've really been doing a great job cheapening the brand. The CLA looks like poseur garbage, and all the cars have lost the understated identity that made them appealing to begin with. The E-Class is understated, but to the point of looking like an anonymous insurance ad vehicle. I'm not saying the cars themselves aren't good (I actually like the E-Class, despite thinking it's ugly. I also like the S and the GLK), but I haven't been down with how blingy these cars have become.

[hotrodalex]

I saw a CLA AMG at the racetrack this weekend. Ran very well.

[2o6]

Speaking of MB, I've been seeing so many cars with that stupid illuminated star in the grille lately (mostly CLA, ML, and GL). It looks terrrrrrrrrible

They've really been doing a great job cheapening the brand. The CLA looks like poseur garbage, and all the cars have lost the understated identity that made them appealing to begin with. The E-Class is understated, but to the point of looking like an anonymous insurance ad vehicle. I'm not saying the cars themselves aren't good (I actually like the E-Class, despite thinking it's ugly. I also like the S and the GLK), but I haven't been down with how blingy these cars have become.

The GLA looks really good, though.

[CALL_911]

The GLA looks really good, though.

I disagree

[Raza]

My neighbor has a CLA. I think it looks good. And upscale, at least from the outside.

[ifcar]

I also think MB did a really good job on the CLA styling. Absolutely hate the GLA, though; it has a few okay angles and a lot of awful ones, especially from the rear.

[2o6]

I like the GLA.


The CLA looks like total trash, however. It's proportionally fucked.

[Madman]

Mercedes Benz has announced the 2016 Metris will arrive in the US this October.

Prices start at $28,950.  Weirdly, this means the Metris will be the lowest-priced Mercedes available in America.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/04/2016-mercedes-benz-metris-official/

[MexicoCityM3]

You can probably fit a MINI or a 1 series in the back of that so that Mercedes can continue to deliver driving pleasure.

[cawimmer430]

Why don't they just sell it as the V-Class? Why "Metris"? Reminds me of Tetris!

[Madman]

Why don't they just sell it as the V-Class? Why "Metris"? Reminds me of Tetris!

I don't know, but I'm sort of curious, too.

Wait, I have an idea! 

Since you're a lot closer to Stuttgart than any of us (and you sprechen sie local lingo), how about knocking on the door of MB's marketing department and asking them why?  Or, I guess you can use phone or e-mail, if you insist.  I will be expecting a full report shortly.  While you're at it, you can ask them what the hell Metris means, too.

Technically, we won't be getting the fancy-pants V Class, just the cargo and standard passenger versions of the Vito.  I really wish they stuck with the name Vito over here because it sounds like an Italian gangster.  "Don't screw with me or I'll send Vito over to fix you!" he said in his best New York accent. 

[Submariner]

I haven't a clue.  You'd have to ask Mercedes Benz that question.

I'd like to know myself, too.

So its name is separate from the C, E, S, etc lineup.

[Madman]

So its name is separate from the C, E, S, etc lineup.

How is "Metris" any better than "Vito" in separating itself from MB's passenger cars?   

[cawimmer430]

I don't know, but I'm sort of curious, too.

Wait, I have an idea! 

Since you're a lot closer to Stuttgart than any of us (and you sprechen sie local lingo), how about knocking on the door of MB's marketing department and asking them why?  Or, I guess you can use phone or e-mail, if you insist.  I will be expecting a full report shortly.  While you're at it, you can ask them what the hell Metris means, too.

Technically, we won't be getting the fancy-pants V Class, just the cargo and standard passenger versions of the Vito.  I really wish they stuck with the name Vito over here because it sounds like an Italian gangster.  "Don't screw with me or I'll send Vito over to fix you!" he said in his best New York accent. 

They will probably tell me it's "top secret" and then have their security escort me off their grounds.

[Morris Minor]

Those things are favorites with airport limo services in the UK.