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Added on the 01/09/2021 08:15:11 - Copyright : Auto Moto EN
Van life is booming. Over the past years, Mercedes‑Benz Vans has successfully established itself in all motorhome categories with its base vehicles, and with the new Citan, which has been available to order since mid-September, the brand with the three-pointed star has laid the foundation for further growth. The new Citan allows Mercedes‑Benz Vans to make the most of the versatile possibilities in the increasingly popular micro-camper conversions sector. This will be demonstrated shortly by SORTIMO Switzerland at the Suisse Caravan Salon in Bern, starting on 28 October. SORTIMO Switzerland will be presenting the new Citan with a roof tent and a multifunction box equipped with a kitchen and bed unit at the Mercedes‑Benz exhibition stand. And there are further conversion solutions based on the new Citan on the market, for instance from VanEssa mobilcamping. The increase in popularity of micro-campers has a number of reasons: they are comparatively cheaper in terms of acquisition costs; their often modular conversion concept enables flexible installation and removal; thanks to their compact exterior dimensions they are easy to operate; and their weight of under 3.5 tonnes means they can be driven on a regular category B driving licence. With qualities like these, micro-campers have an increasing fan base, especially among young van lifers.
Mercedes-Benz will pursue a differentiated strategic approach with its vans in the future. As presented last year (2023), the company is aiming for a premium strategy for its commercial vans. In the future, a focused luxury strategy will apply to all newly developed, privately positioned vans, as is the case for all Mercedes‑Benz passenger cars. The aim is to fully implement this strategic change with the introduction of the upcoming modular and scalable Van Electric Architecture – VAN.EA for short – from 2026. The new private midsize vans EQV and V-Class are an important milestone on this path. Both are further elevated with new exterior and interior designs. There is also an increase in comfort and safety, especially thanks to more intelligent, digital networking. The models have been available to order from Mercedes‑Benz sales partners and online since January 2024. The standard equipment has been comprehensively upgraded and thereby tailored more precisely to customer requirements. The new V-Class starts at a list price of 59,470.25 euros[1], the new EQV from 75,281.78 euros. The new V-Class also forms the basis for the V-Class Marco Polo camper van, which is offered ex factory. It starts at 80,004.89 euros1 and adopts the model's attractiveness almost completely.
The generous dimensions of the passenger compartment are partly due to the wheelbase, which is 22 millimetres longer than that of the preceding model (2961 millimetres).The E-Class is permitted to tow a braked trailer load of up to 2100 kilograms. The maximum unbraked towing capacity is 750 kilograms. Thanks to a tongue weight of up to 84 kilograms, the carrying of e-bikes is allowed.The illuminated surround of the radiator grille (optional extra) has two optical fibres behind the chrome strips. Light is fed into the glass-fibre bundles via LED modules.With two display styles (Classic and Sporty) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service), the graphics of the screens can be individualised. The new MBUX is accompanied by a change in the presentation of the main icons on the displays. They are presented in a simpler way, and based on the colours used for smartphone tiles.Depending on the market, a communication module with 5G as the transmission technology is used. This mobile phone standard makes much faster data rates possible than LTE/UMTS.With the Digital Vehicle Key, the iPhone and Apple Watch become a car key. If the driver is carrying a compatible device, it can be used to start and lock the E-Class. Key sharing is also possible: The Digital Vehicle Key can be shared with up to 16 people. In those markets where Mercedes me connect services are available, Pre-installation for the Digital Vehicle Key forms part of the KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package. This equipment combination is available in the new E-Class from the Premium Package onwards.
Mercedes-Benz Vans has firmly anchored its leadership aspirations for electric mobility in its strategy, and is systematically electrifying all model series. This includes a range of sector-specific electric mobility solutions – also in the small van segment. The EQT by Mercedes-EQ as a small van combines the variability and high-quality equipment level of the T-Class – its conventionally powered sister model – with the advantages of all-electric drive.The new EQT from Mercedes-EQ offers families as well as recreationally active people an attractive entry into the fully electric world of the Mercedes brand. The electric small van will be orderable in the near future. Prices start at around 49,000 euros for the EQT with 90 kW electric motor and standard length. Thanks to the Black Panel radiator grille with central star and dynamically designed radiator fins, the new EQT is instantly recognisable as a member of the Mercedes-EQ family. The electric small van combines compact exterior dimensions with ample space. At the same time, thanks to the protected, space-saving installation of the battery in the underbody, with a favourably low centre of gravity, it offers almost the same variability and functionality in the interior as the conventionally powered T-Class. The EQT is 4498 millimetres long, 1859 millimetres wide and 1819 millimetres high. A long-wheelbase variant will follow this year.
The electric motor on the rear axle is particularly powerful due to its 6-phase operation: it has two windings with three phases each.To recuperate, the driver does not need to press the brake pedal; literally 1-pedal driving. Thanks to ECO Assist, the EQE SUV also decelerates automatically to a standstill when it detects vehicles ahead, for example at traffic lights.The charging system is located above the rear axle of the EQE SUV. It can be used to charge the battery from the public mains with single-phase or three-phase alternating current and an optional charging capacity of up to 22 kW.Mercedes-Benz issues a battery certificate for its high-voltage batteries, and thus a performance guarantee to customers: 10 years or a mileage of 250,000 kilometres with a defined residual capacity.The chassis of the new EQE SUV comprises a four-link suspension at the front and an independent multi-link suspension at the rear. Thanks to the comparatively short wheelbase of 3030 millimetres and the corresponding suspension tuning, it feels particularly agile and manoeuvrable even with the basic set-up.The AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS+ continuously adjustable damping is available as an optional extra. To increase ground clearance, the vehicle level can be raised by up to 30 millimetres. Rear-axle steering with a maximum steering angle of 10 degrees is available as an option.
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