Mercedes Vito - inconspicuous ... roadster

Perhaps you dream of a car that would combine the capabilities of an off-road vehicle and a motorhome. But I can bet you didn't take the Mercedes Vito into account! After all, the Vito has been available with all-wheel drive for almost a year now.

The Mercedes Vito version with all-wheel drive does not stand out with chrome piping or other spectacular additions that would expose its off-road drive. The Vito 4x4 can look like a regular delivery van, a passenger / delivery van (Mixto) or a van (Tourer). And each of these body variants can have four-wheel drive!

For construction and camping

The manufacturer, presenting this model, praised its practicality and versatility. Journalists had the opportunity to see that the car copes well in difficult conditions - it can drive in deep snow, drive up a steep driveway or successfully cope with uneven terrain. Of course, this is not a car that is suitable for off-road trips leading through forests, deserts and the deepest puddles of the world, but with obstacles that can be found in parts of Poland (and Europe), class B, C, which have been forgotten even by politicians, or D, he can handle it easily.

And if so, it means that this car can be recommended not only to construction teams who would like to transport cement bags to a muddy construction site using an elegant vehicle with a star on the hood, but also to people who like active leisure .

If this car can really turn off the beaten track on a less traveled path without the risk of getting stuck in a larger puddle too easily, it means that the Mercedes Vito 4x4 can also work as a camper van .

Vito with an all-terrain drive can be purchased in all body variations and with any wheelbase, which means that a person who wants to adapt it to their tourist needs really has a lot to choose from. It is also worth mentioning that the height of the Vito 4x4 is 191 cm, so this car can drive into most underground parking lots .

Roadster without a doubt

But the end of the generalities - let's move on to the technical details! The torque in this atypical "off-road vehicle" is distributed in the transfer case and directed to the wheels of both axles via a central differential in a 45:55 ratio. The 4ETS electronic traction control system, linked to the ESP and ASR systems, is responsible for power transmission. Whenever a wheel loses traction, the system catches it and intervenes immediately. Exactly! The 4ETS can brake each wheel separately and in a few milliseconds direct additional torque to those that can pull the car out of the fumes! It is possible thanks to the system with three differential locks.

ESP shows its best when going uphill. When driving at speeds of up to 40 km / h, the system focuses on the best possible traction. At higher speeds , it tries to maintain a balance between traction and stability - at least up to 80 km / h. If the car is going faster, stability becomes the priority.

It is also worth paying attention to the DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) system. It allows you to maintain a constant speed (from 4 to 18 km / h) on a steep downhill ride.

Hot or not?

Mercedes Vito is not only about better properties on unstable ground. The standard equipment of this car also includes driver fatigue monitoring and crosswind assist . These elements (still quite exotic in cars of other brands) are available in every Vito - regardless of the drive or equipment version - at no extra charge.

You have to pay extra for the drive. However, will the additional cost of several thousand zlotys discourage someone who has already set aside money for a "regular" Vito, and the terrain properties really matter to him?

So maybe the Vito with all-wheel drive can be treated as a base for building an original camper van? Be sure to write in the comment how you like this idea.