Mercedes-Benz introduced the Viano family of vans in June 2003: The series was the successor of the former V-Class and the Vito F and Vito Marco Polo. The new vans and the estate in the Vito pick-up truck series were part of the integrated overall development. The new vehicle series covered a much wider range of users than their predecessors. The Viano was available in two wheelbase lengths (3,200 mm and 3,400 mm), three vehicle lengths (4,748 mm to 5,223 mm) and four engines. Powering the cars were two CDI engines (80 kW (109 hp) and 110 kW (150 hp)) and two 6-cylinder petrol engines (140 kW (190 hp) and 160 kW (218 hp)), whose power was transferred to the rear axle by a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
There was no doubt that the Viano was part of the Mercedes-Benz family. Compared with its predecessor, the lines along the sides were much more dynamic. The headlights, radiator grill, the line from the bumper to the windscreen and the smooth transition to the side elements were unmistakable. The rear of the vehicle was distinguished by big, vertical lights. Inside, the vehicle had brand new equipment that met the wishes of demanding drivers.
The Viano had an integral body that created a joint supporting structure with the frame. Both wheelbases were created with rear frame rails - from the C pillar - in different lengths. Two rear overhangs in different length created the three different vehicle lengths. Other body versions were created by adding right or left sliding doors and the rear door, which was available as a tailgate or as hinged doors. Round, smooth transitions and flush windows created an optical entity and a particularly favourable drag coefficient of 0.33. The wide-opening driver and front passenger doors, and the sliding doors and tailgate were made of a sandwich-structured sheet steel composite that was optimized for weight and stiffness. The big, side sliding door - 985 mm wide and 1,240 mm high - made it easy to load and unload bulky items. Like the tailgate, the sliding door could be locked and unlocked by remote control - independently of the front doors. The tailgate with an opening angle of approximately 90 degrees was had double acting gas springs that limited the opening angle of the door and supported the closing mechanism. The tailgate could also be equipped with a Mercedes-Benz bike rack.
One of the key themes of this development was the high level of active and passive safety. For example, the traction on the rear-wheel drive had been improved for all loading conditions. The decision to mount the engines lengthwise enabled the designers to improve the front of the vehicle's passive safety features. The Viano was equipped with internally ventilated 300 mm by 28 mm disc brakes at the front and solid 296 mm by 10 mm disc brakes at the back, and the electronic stability programme ESP®, which contained the anti-lock braking system ABS; the traction control system ASR; the electronic traction system ETS; the electronic break force distribution system EBD; and a hydraulic brake assistant.
All seats were outfitted with three-point seat belts. The driver and front passenger seats were outfitted with belt pre-tensioners and belt load limiter as well as a full-size airbag for the driver and for the front passenger depending on the version of the vehicle. Double airbags for the passenger seat and window bags were available, and the new thorax side bags were provided with the optional comfort-ventilated seats.
From April 2004, the Viano could be optionally equipped with window bags for the driver and the front passenger. In the event of a side collision, these airbags created a protective curtain on the side window that protected the driver's and front passenger's heads from injuries.
The driver quickly found his or her way around the instrument cluster thanks to its excellent ergonomics and logical layout of the control elements. The practical selector or gear lever was integrated in the centre console. The instrument cluster and its clearly visible gauges was in the driver's immediate field of view. The multifunction steering wheel, which was standard in the AMBIENTE line, was optional. The rich package of standard equipment could be extended with additional accessories such as leather seats, auxiliary heating and various radio and navigation systems.
A practical rail system with 25 mm notches enabled the seats and benches to be easily moved forward and backward and adjusted to the right length. The individual seats and bench seats could be folded and tilted forward in segments. The seats could be arranged in any direction and even swivelled to face each other.
The design and equipment lines TREND, FUN and AMBIENTE enabled customers to choose the vehicle that best met the needs of the family, the company or recreational activities. The everyday MARCO POLO camper van rounded off the product range. Whether a customer was looking for a vehicle for everyday or recreational use or luxury: The different vehicle lengths created a versatile range of products. Customers could also choose practical optional accessories from the Business, Life and Bike packages.
A lot of emphasis was placed on a stowage system that met different customer needs. New was a compartment with lid on the instrument cluster that could contain DIN A-4 sized items, which was important because of the Viano's different uses. More stowage space was available to the left below the rotary light switch, in the lower part of the instrument cluster and near the radios. There was a lockable, 11-litre glove box with pen holder and integrated storage space for the cigarette lighter. Cup holders were available for the passenger seat and were also integrated in the spacious centre console, which could also store a cassette box or a CD cartridge. A compartment for glasses in the roof control unit and large compartments in the driver and passenger doors that could hold 1.5-litre bottles, rounded off the front stowage facilities. The console for the drive seat had a pocket. The toolkit was stowed in the rear side panels. The FUN and MARCO POLO versions had a compartment in the bed extension that could be pulled out. The passenger compartment had foldable multi-functional units with cup holders, an ashtray and a 12-volt power plug in the rear.
The TREND, AMBIENTE and MARCO POLO versions were outfitted with the air-conditioning system THERMATIK, which, in addition to the 5-step blower, had automatic temperature control, dust and activated charcoal filter, and residual engine heat utilization. Optional accessories included the automatic climate control system THERMOTRONIC, which automatically controlled the stepless blower and the amount and distribution of airflow. The passenger compartment was reached by means of an air nozzle diffuser with side air outlets and a floor vent. TREND and AMBIENTE were also outfitted with rear heating, which consisted of a heat exchanger with 3-step blower that was integrated in the front heater's water circuit and was optional in the other versions. It was controlled by a control wheel in the rear of the vehicle. Air conditioning was also optionally available for the rear. Air ducts in the roof lining along the windows with four adjustable nozzles indirectly controlled the climate in the rear.
New was the SOUND 40 PRO system with integrated navigation system and internet access through the Mercedes-Benz portal. This innovative communication centre provided access to email, fax and text messaging as well as to a number of traffic information services. Business users had key communication methods at their disposal that had never been available in cars before. The Viano could also be equipped with other radio and navigation systems that had proven themselves in other Mercedes-Benz series such as the COMAND system.
Maximum comfort and convenience - that was the motto of the Viano series from 2005. A new top-of-the range engine with an output of 170 kW (231 hp) was the basis for excellent driving performance. Modern rear seat entertainment (RSE) technology was now available and many of the Viano's functions could be controlled by the voice control system LINGUATRONIC. The new V6 petrol engine M 112 E 37 with a displacement of 3.7 litres replaced the previous engine with a 3.2-litre displacement and an output of 160 kW (218 hp). This resulted in improved, superior driving performance. The new top-of-the-range engine accelerated the Viano TREND compact from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.1 seconds and reached a top speed of 200 km/h. The high maximum torque of the powerful 6-cylinder engine, which reached 345 Nm between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm, and its enormous engine power and elasticity, were practical in everyday use. The Viano TREND compact's top-of-the-range engine accelerated from 60 to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds - a major safety factor, for example, when taking over on country roads and main roads. The powerful performance was accompanied by improved running smoothness. The transmission was unchanged and handled by a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Rear seat entertainment (RSE) was a new feature in this model generation. A console with DVD player with foldable display was harmoniously integrated in the roof. This 7-inch, 16:9 TFT display was electrically foldable and could be tilted sideways. The 130-degree angle of vision provided a good view from all of the second and third-row seats. Loudspeakers were integrated in the RSE console in the roof. In conjunction with the COMAND system, the sound was also conveyed through the car's loudspeakers. If the driver didn't want to be disturbed, four headphones could be plugged in or any number of infra-red headphones used. An AV input and a 12-volt power plug enabled the use of other video sources or game consoles. An optional antenna system made it possible to watch TV. Passengers could control all of the RSE functions through an infra-red remote control or buttons on the RSE console.
The voice control system LINGUATRONIC that was available in Mercedes-Benz's saloons was making its entrance in the Viano. Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the driver could control the following devices by voice: Car phone, radio, CD player, CD changer, cassette deck, navigation system and TV. LINGUATRONIC was switched on by operating a lever in the steering column. The commands were received by a microphone in the control unit below the roof. The system used fixed commands that were not defined by the speaker as well as commands that had been pre-defined by the speaker such as names or functions. LINGUATRONIC improved safety in the Viano because it enabled the driver to keep his or her hands on the steering wheel at all times.
The versions with diesel engine were the first vehicles in their segment to be equipped with a particulate filter from the late summer of 2004. The particulate filter was available for the Viano 2.0 CDI (80 kW (109 hp)) and Viano 2.2 CDI (110 kW (150 hp)). The first vehicles were delivered in January 2005. The surcharge for the particulate filter was €695 excluding VAT. The new exhaust gas treatment system consisted of a combination of oxidation catalyst and silicon carbide particulate filter. Temperature and pressure sensors monitored the filter's load. The filter regenerated by burning the filtered particles at set intervals. The temperature of the exhaust gas was raised to more than 580 degrees Celsius either automatically when the engine was running at a high load and rotational speed or by increasing the fuel injection. Additives were not used for the filter regeneration process and it was not necessary to change the filter when the car was serviced.
In September 2004, Mercedes-Benz used the Viano Activity prototype to sound out the interest in innovative utility vehicles at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hannover. The Viano Activity was also a link between the different American and European car cultures. The Viano Activity combined work with everyday and recreational activities - it was ideal for people who actively pursued a sport and needed a spacious and multi-functional utility vehicle. The prototype also underlined the versatility of the Viano. The Viano's dynamic line picked up on the emotional design and took it further. The distinctive fairing conjured up memories of off-road vehicles and outdoor activities, as did the striated aluminium panels along the doors and side panels. The wide sliding doors - a novelty in the pick-up segment - made it easy for rear passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. The versatility of the loading space was also new. The Viano Activity could be extended from the limited length of 4.99 m for city traffic to 5.70 m. The passenger compartment was spacious, practical and elegant: Practical were the multi-functional front seats, which could be swivelled to face the rear seats to create a cosy corner for four with table, and elegant were the lava red leather seats that emphasized the value of natural materials. The glass sliding sunroof and the cab's rotatable wall with window created a link between indoor and outdoor activities. The prototype was powered by a sophisticated V6 petrol engine with an output of 170 kW (231 hp) and equipped with 19-inch wide-base tyres.
The Viano 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which was unveiled ay the IAA in Frankfurt in the autumn of 2005, made sure that its passengers reached their destination safely and comfortably, even in adverse conditions. The Viano 4MATIC safely transported up to eight passengers everyday and recreational activities regardless of the weather conditions. The Viano 4MATIC had full-time all-wheel drive and a torque distribution of 35:65 between the front and the rear axle in normal driving conditions on high-grip road surfaces. The drive-dynamic benefits of rear-wheel drive were not only maintained, they were even strengthened. The Viano 4MATIC's transfer gearbox was flanged to the main gearbox. The designers had devised a very compact front-wheel drive with a lasting oil supply. The axle drives were just as maintenance free as the front axle's drive shafts. 4ETS replaced the differential locks and was integrated in the ESP®. Instead of differential locks, the Viano 4MATIC used the electronic traction system 4ETS. If one or more wheels lost grip on a slippery surface, 4ETS automatically slowed them down with short pulses while increasing the torque on the wheels with good grip in equal measure. This automatic braking intervention could simulate the effect of up to three differential locks. 4ETS was integrated in the Electronic Stability Programme ESP®, which was outfitted in all Viano models, with controls that had been especially adapted for all-wheel drive. The Viano 4MATIC was available as CDI 2.0 (80 kW (109 hp)) and CDI 2.2 (110 kW (150 hp)). The engines' powerful torque and fast acceleration made sure the vehicles stayed on track even on rough terrain. A 5-speed automatic transmission was available as an alternative to the series-produced 6-speed manual transmission. The Viano 4MATIC was equipped with a diesel particulate filter and met the Euro-4/III emission standards. The 4MATIC's driving performance and fuel consumption was only slightly different from that for the Viano with rear-wheel drive. The Viano 2.2 CDI accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.7 seconds and achieved a top speed of 177 km/h. Given the driving performance, traction and size of the vehicle, its petrol consumption of just 9.6 litres per 100 km according to DIN 1/3 mix was very economical. The Viano 4MATIC may not have been a full-fledged jeep, but it did not shy away from lighter off-road adventures. The version with short wheelbase and short overhang had a ramp angle of 19 degrees, an angle of repose of 20/28 degrees (front/rear) and a ground clearance of 150 mm at the front and 210 mm at the rear. The Viano 4MATIC was a surprisingly good climber too: Depending on the drive train and model version, its gradeability had been improved by up to 20 percent.
From February 2007, the special FUNCTION version with the economical and high-torque 4-cyclinder engine was available as Viano CDI 2.0 or CDI 2.2. The two diesel engines with modern piezo injection technology had an output of 85 kW (116 hp) and 110 kW (150 hp) and were both equipped with diesel particulate filters. The special 5-seater combined accessories from the FUN and TREND equipment packages into a Viano that appealed especially to families. The Viano FUNCTION was available in two lengths: The long version with optional second bench seat could seat up to eight people. All of the seats were equipped with three-point seat belts and ISOFIX child seat attachments. The moveable 3-seat bench seat in the first row and the easy-to-clean floor covering invited one to carry people and loads of luggage. The optionally swivable front seats and the foldable table meant that the family pick-nick could go ahead even in less favourable weather conditions. And the safety package left nothing to be desired either. The Viano FUNCTION was equipped with driver and front passenger airbag, the newest generation ESP®, which included ABS, ASR, BAS (brake assist), and EBD (electronic brake force distribution). Additional equipment wishes such as metallic paint, Parktronic and automatic transmission were also available for the special model.
Because the Viano was also frequently used as a taxi, Mercedes-Benz offered a special Taxi Package that enabled the taxi to be adapted to the driver's and the passengers' needs. The taxi meter and wireless equipment required little space and could be installed in the position that was the most ergonomical for the driver. The wiring for the taxi meter, wireless equipment, card readers, power plugs and the speed/distance pulse were included in the package as was the residual engine heat unit, which made breaks of up to 30 minutes more comfortable. A taxi sign could be installed on the roof and a hands-free car kit could also be installed. The comprehensive 'Taxi Special Package' that was available for the Viano from 2007 contained all of the equipment in the Taxi Package: Automatic transmission, 3-seat luxury bench seat for the first and second row, air conditioning in the rear, Sound 5 radio with two-way loudspeakers for the front and rear as well as heating for the driver seat. The price for this Viano package was €3,000.
From the summer of 2007, the ESP® Trailer Stability Assist stabilized the Viano/trailer duo and prevented trailers from dangerously swaying back and forth by automatically braking. The Trailer Stability Assist recognized the trailer when the electrical connector was connected to the towing vehicle during coupling. Its action was independent of the object being towed: Small trailers were also recognized. The ESP® Trailer Stability Assist was an add-on to the Electronic Stability Programme ESP® and used its sensors. The yaw-rate sensor detected movements around the vehicle's vertical axis and started braking as a countermeasure. There were no additional sensors on the trailer or the tow hook. The Tow Stability Assist worked as follows: If it detected swaying, engine torque and the speed of the wheels on the front axle were reduced. If several successive braking interventions were necessary, the thresholds were increased and braking intensified, which considerably reduced the speed of the vehicle. This behaviour informed the driver that the trailer was swaying and of the fact that he or she had been driving in the critical speed range too frequently. The ESP® Trailer Stability Assist was so sensitive that it countered dangerous swaying movements as soon as they started and could usually neutralize them altogether by gently interventions on the front axle. This was a clear gain in safety and comfort. The ESP® warning lamp in the instrument cluster showed the driver that measures were being taken.
The exemplary safety equipment was expanded with adaptive brake lights, i.e. automatic hazard lights, for the Caravan Salon 2008 in Düsseldorf. The brake assist BAS interpreted a brake pedal pressure of more than 75% of its maximum value at speeds above 50 km/h as an emergency braking operation and activated the adaptive brake lights. The brake lights flashed for the duration of the braking operation instead of steadily illuminating. The flashing caught the attention of following traffic and prevented rear-end collisions.
In addition to new seats, which were characterized by a 25 mm lower sitting position for the driver and front passenger, the Viano was also available in a third weight version with a permissible weight of 3.05 tonnes, which was made possible by strengthening the body-shell and the rear axle.
An extensive redesign in July 2010 substantially improved the Viano and took it into its next stage of life so it could continue the success of the range.
