2016 Mercedes Benz Metris

[AltinD]

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that.

Plus, how are you supposed to get clear access to it with sliding doors on both sides?

[ifcar]

Plus, how are you supposed to get clear access to it with sliding doors on both sides?

By closing the door to pump your gas, like on other vans.

[Madman]

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

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.

No, its a perfectly logical place for it.  A driver can pull up to the pump, jump out, pop open the door, insert the nozzle and swipe his credit or company fuel card all within seconds and can quickly be on his way when he's finished.  These are working vehicles and time is money.

However, since it appears the typical American is too stupid to find his own arse with both hands, this instructional video was made just for us.  The fact that a European equivalent of this video doesn't exist speaks volumes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAbZg6Vr9CY


The fuel door is in the same place on a Sprinter, Vito, Transit, ProMaster/Ducato/Boxer/Jumper/Relay, Iveco Daily, Opel/Vauxhall Movano, Renault Master, Nissan NV400, Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro, Nissan Primastar, Renault Trafic, Ford Transit Custom, Volkswagen Crafter and Transporter and just about every other large van designed outside North America in the past twenty years.

[hotrodalex]

Yeah, being unable to find the fuel door in a spot that is never used in any other vehicle sold in the country makes Americans stupid.

If I brought a 57 Chevy over to Europe I bet they couldn't find the fuel door either. Or my dad's 71 Camaro.

[BENZ BOY15]

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

So it is a Sprinter-lite?

[BENZ BOY15]

Looks pretty good for a minivan.

[Madman]

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

You don't know until you try.  Get on it, already! 

[Madman]

Okay, since Wimmer refuses to be a team player by not ringing up his old buddy Dieter Zetsche to get the scoop on why Mercedes changed the name of the Vito van to Metris for the North American market, we've had to wait for somebody else to spill the beans.

Thanks for nothing, Wimmer! 




So here's the skinny, courtesy of Jalopnik.....

Apparently the name's been changed for America to avoid the Godfather reference. (No, really... that's what Mercedes told us in the press briefing.)


Vito seems to be a popular gangster name.  I recall there was another Vito in The Sopranos.  Dammit, this makes me wish they kept the Vito name even more!  Think of the TV commercials they could have done with a van-load of pinstripe suit-wearing Mafiosos!  How many bodies can you fit in the back of this van, anyway?  This is information we need to know!

But why no diesel?  Come on, Mercedes.  You know this rig needs a diesel, so stop screwing us around or we'll send Vito over to your place and fix you real good!


http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/why-the-2016-mercedes-metris-laughs-at-your-luxury-truc-1709898144

http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/files/brochures/2015-Mercedes-Benz-Metris-Van-Brochure.pdf

[Madman]

Saw a TV commercial for the Mercedes Benz Metris cargo van for the first time tonight.

It plays-up how much more room the Metris has over certain "small" vans, all of which are represented in this commercial by a pair of unnamed Ford Transit Connects.  The "Bigger is Better" argument is hardly original, but the attempt at comedy does make it somewhat memorable.  Also, pointing out that the Metris, despite it's size, will still fit in a normal garage will be a key selling point.

However, since Mercedes doesn't sell its own small van in America (the Renault Kangoo-based Mercedes Benz Citan), this isn't exactly a very fair comparison.

Here's the TV spot in question.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FByhqzQhxGM

[cawimmer430]

Okay, since Wimmer refuses to be a team player by not ringing up his old buddy Dieter Zetsche to get the scoop on why Mercedes changed the name of the Vito van to Metris for the North American market, we've had to wait for somebody else to spill the beans.

Thanks for nothing, Wimmer! 




So here's the skinny, courtesy of Jalopnik.....

Apparently the name's been changed for America to avoid the Godfather reference. (No, really... that's what Mercedes told us in the press briefing.)


Vito seems to be a popular gangster name.  I recall there was another Vito in The Sopranos.  Dammit, this makes me wish they kept the Vito name even more!  Think of the TV commercials they could have done with a van-load of pinstripe suit-wearing Mafiosos!  How many bodies can you fit in the back of this van, anyway?  This is information we need to know!

But why no diesel?  Come on, Mercedes.  You know this rig needs a diesel, so stop screwing us around or we'll send Vito over to your place and fix you real good!


http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/why-the-2016-mercedes-metris-laughs-at-your-luxury-truc-1709898144

http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/files/brochures/2015-Mercedes-Benz-Metris-Van-Brochure.pdf

Dieter never returned my calls! I guess he was too busy! 


At least we have an explanation why they are changing the name. But "Vito" has always been used for the cheaper commercial versions of the V-Class/Viano. They should simply sell this car as the V-Class in America and be done with it. Or are they afraid that this could also offend the Russian Mafia? I mean V could stand for "Vitaly!" 


But I like the new V-Class. I've been seriously thinking about maybe getting a second-hand version (diesel, of course). It's large enough to haul all my gear around and allow me to transport people as well as maybe sleep in it (thus saving on motel/hotel costs). This would be a great car for me. Seriously.

But I am going to miss the agile handling of my 1er, so this is why I have not downgraded/upgraded to another car. RWD is not the deciding factor for me, but it's fun to have it in a small car like the 1er - or even in the V-Class.