The multi-functional compact van Vaneo that Mercedes-Benz unveiled in September 2001 at the IAA in Frankfurt, was a family saloon, recreational vehicle and spacious estate in one. It had the size of a compact saloon and the spaciousness of a mini van. Young families in particular, couples with outdoor hobbies, as well as singles and 'mixed users' as they were known in the field had a Mercedes-Benz model that met all their needs.
Its monospace design, deep belt line with large windows and two sliding doors gave the compact Mercedes-Benz van an independent character despite its technological link with the proven A-Class. The high roof and the straightforward, no frills design exuded functional self-confidence. The Vaneo had space for up to five adults and two children or could transport bulky hobby and leisure equipment up to a load capacity of 3,000 litres and 600 kilograms. Thanks to an entirely synthetic underbody and a range of other aerodynamic measures, the drag coefficient for this vehicle with its large front surface of 2.67 m2, which is typical of this class, was only 0.33.
The straight, bichromatic tail lights were a majestic 92.5 cm long. On the one hand they were a very conspicuous feature that contrasted with the Vaneo's large steel and glass surfaces and underlined its monospace shape from the side. On the other hand, they had functional advantages: They were outside the collision zone and could be seen for miles when illuminated. Gills in the upper part of the lights ventilated the passenger compartment. The third brake light was integrated in the arched rear spoiler, which captured the upward sweeping line of the lights and framed the square tailgate or hatch door with its large window pane.
The three equipment lines 'TREND', 'FAMILY' and 'AMBIENTE' that were offered for the introduction and the innovative optional packages provided sufficient room for personalization. The compact Mercedes-Benz van was introduced in 2002 with three petrol and two diesel engines with an output of 55 kW (75 hp) and 92 kW (125 hp) respectively and a 5-speed manual transmission - optionally available with automatic coupling or automatic transmission.
The basic petrol vehicles were powered by a 1.6-litre engine with an output of 60 kW (82 hp). The model with the more powerful engine in the same displacement class delivered better driving performance with its output of 75 kW (102 hp). The Vaneo 1.9 was powered by the fiery top-of-the-range 92 kW (125 hp) engine. The top-of-the-range model reached a top speed of 181 km/h, but was conservative in its fuel consumption. According to the NEDC cycle, the vehicle consumed a total of 8.1 litres of fuel per 100 km. The two turbo-diesel Vaneo CDI 1.7 models had a displacement of 1.7 (litres) and were available with an output of 55 kW (75 hp) and 66 kW (90 hp). Their NEDC total consumption was 5.7 and 5.9 litres of diesel respectively.
The Vaneo had a number of safety features that were groundbreaking in this vehicle class. Intensive computer simulation and a range of crash tests confirmed the benefits of an intelligent safety concept. In the event of a collision, the energy absorbing sandwich floor and the downward-sliding drive unit protected passengers particularly well. The sandwich layer between the level floor of the passenger compartment and the underside of the body was equipped with mesh-like longitudinal and cross beams. In the event of a collision, they were the path the load took and absorbed the kinetic energy that could come from several directions depending on the type of impact. The point of absorption for the different seat configurations was connected to the cross beams through consoles. This was another important contribution to passenger safety. Another special feature of the safety concept was the pedal floor panel below the front foot area that was solidly built and shaped so that the engine, transmission and other aggregates would not penetrate the passenger compartment and injure passengers in the event of a frontal collision. Instead the compact engine, which was tilted 60% to the front, slid downward along the pedal floor panel.
In the event of a collision, front and side airbags protected the driver and the front passenger from severe injuries to the head and chest area. Sensors in the front of the car activated early enough so the airbags could gently inflate and provide a soft landing. The driver's airbag had a volume of 64 litres, that on the front passenger's side a volume of 130 litres. The side airbags (15 litres) were in the door panels above the armrests. Three-point seat belts and pre-tensioners were standard for the front seats and the outer seats in the second row. All of the seats in the first and second rows were also equipped with head restraints, which were shaped like a frame and didn't disrupt the driver's rear view. In order to stay on course even when the vehicle was heavily loaded, the Vaneo was equipped with the Electronic Stability Programme ESP®.
The two sliding doors provided easy access to the passenger compartment even in the tightest parking spaces and doors didn't get in the way when loading and unloading the vehicle from the side. The sliding doors were 756 mm wide and 1,210 mm high, and their opening correspondingly spacious.
The large tailgate also provided for easy loading and unloading. Supported by gas springs, it opened high enough that adults could comfortably stand beneath it. An asymmetrically split door was available as alternative to the tailgate. The doors were split 2/3 to 1/3. The larger door could be opened separately, which was handy when loading or unloading from the right side of the road. The doors locked into place at a 90-degree angle but could be swung open to 170 degrees.
A number of seating configurations and different child and recreational features made the car very versatile and practical. In normal circumstances, the compact van had enough space for five adults. The rear seats could be split 60/40, and the backrests could be individually or jointly folded onto the seat cushions and removed or stowed behind the front seats. The head restraints could be pressed into the seat cushion and were not in the way when the configuration was changed. Quick fasteners enabled the seats to be removed from the anchoring in the floorpan with little effort and no tools and carried out through the large sliding doors. Removing the larger part of the rear seat created space for a bike rack in which two bikes with dismantled front wheels could be transported without having to worry about them getting dirty or stolen.
Optionally, the front passenger seat could also be removed. With the passenger seat removed, the loading area measured a stately 2,970 mm from the tailgate to the front bulkhead, creating enough space for things such as ladders. The multi-functional front passenger seat could also be used as a pick-nick table: Folding its backrest onto the seat cushion revealed indentations for cup holders. Two special child seats were optionally available for the last back row and could be folded into a table or stowed over the row of seats in front. The anchorage points for the last row of seats could also hold the pull-out load floor. This innovative piece of equipment made it easier to load the vehicle from the tailgate and could be loaded with up to 120 kg when pulled out.
There was also special protection for dirty objects: A roof-high tarpaulin by the name of 'Carry' required very little effort to put up. The scratch-resistant, durable tarpaulin made of synthetic material was slid into the Vaneo and its four sides unfolded and hooked to the side panels. The entire loading area - from the roof to the seat - was protected from dirt. When done, the tarpaulin is removed, cleaned and stored in the garage - a clean solution that temporarily transforms the van into a pick-up truck.
The Vaneo was a small, self-confident vehicle that offered more head room at every seat than any competitor thanks to its height of 1,830 mm and its horizontal roof line. Yet car washes and parking garages were not a problem for the Vaneo, even when equipped with roof rails. Also unique was the comfort measurement, an indication for the usable space that was not compromised by the wheel arches. This measurement is defined as the length between the front door stop and the back end of the second side door. The vehicle was exceptionally easy to get in and out of: Because of the sandwich concept, the floor in the passenger compartment was 200 mm higher than in conventional vehicles. The loading area was flat and very wide between the wheel arches thanks to the compact rear axle.
Just three weeks after the Vaneo was unveiled, Mercedes-Benz introduced the new compact Vaneo van at 'REHACare International 2001' in Düsseldorf with an equipment package for the physically disabled as a concept vehicle. This Vaneo was made with a specific target group in mind. To enable people bound to a wheel chair to drive the vehicle, the driver's side was retrofitted with an electric assistant that enabled them to transfer easily from the wheelchair and get in the vehicle. A rotating, lowering seat made the lives of front passengers with limited mobility a lot easier. A side lift that enabled drivers to load a folding wheel chair behind the front seats, as well as a separate lift in the loading area for an electric wheel chair where some of the options. The least expensive alternative was to use a cable to lift a folding wheel chair into the car. The brakes and accelerator were manually operated and the accelerator moved to the left. A multi-functional control device for the indicators, lights and wipers, which replaced the steering stick lever function and the light switch, rounded off the equipment in the concept Vaneo.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new Imagination equipment package for the Vaneo at the 2003 Geneva International Motor Show. The high-quality materials in the interior and the attractive exterior met the wishes of customers with high expectations of a compact van. From the outside, the celebrated 'Imagination' Vaneo was recognized from 2003 by its 16-inch light-alloy wheels, metal paint and matching door handles and radiator grille. Inside, exquisite leather accessories decorated the front and rear door panels as well as the steering wheel and shift knob. The two-tone seat leather with decorative stitching underlined the interior's sportiness and elegance. All of the door sills were in stainless steel. The centre console and the decorative trim in the instrument cluster were embellished with walnut wood. The boot cover, central locking with remote control and a 12-volt power plug were part of the standard equipment package.
The equipment package 'Spring' was introduced in the spring of 2003. The ten most popular equipment options were integrated in the Vaneo 'Spring', which was available in two petrol versions (75 kW (102 hp) and 92 kW (125 hp)) as well as a diesel version (67 kW (91 hp)). The Vaneo 'Spring' had 16-inch light-alloy wheels, roof rails and Shiny Silver or Carbon Black metallic paint. Power vent windows in the rear were also part of the standard package. In the passenger compartment, the air-conditioning system, the Sound 30 CD radio system, central locking with remote control and the boot cover were part of the standard package.
Mercedes-Benz also offered a complete Taxi Package for its compact van. This equipment package included preparations for the installation of an electronic taxi metre, modern wireless equipment and loudspeakers as well as an electric taxi sign on the roof. The vehicle was also equipped with a more powerful battery, a roof antenna for radio and telephone, a hands-free car kit and a taxi emergency call system.
The Vaneo was made from the end of 2001 at the factory in Ludwigsfelde in Brandenburg south of Berlin where Mercedes-Benz had invested some €500 million in state-of-the-art production equipment.
