Mercedes-Benz V-Class is a renamed Viano MPV

The MPV segment in general is quite bland. Yes, they are filled with features and with value-for-money spewing out of them and it is quite hard to disagree why a family wouldn’t prefer it. But with reports flowing in that BMW is in the works for a new MPV, their German counterpart, Mercedes-Benz have come up with arguably the best looking Multi-Purpose-Vehicle to date.

The brand also goes as far as calling it the “Mercedes among MPVs”. In any case, the Merc fills in all the desirable characters that a vehicle of this segment must possess. It seats eight people, and also comes with a host of Mercedes harnessed features.

The V-Class will be offered in three engine options; all diesel, with a displacement of 2.1-litres and 4-cylinders. The V 200 unit will pump out 136 hp and 330 Nm of torque. The V 220 comes with 163 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The last and top-level V 250 unit will offer 190 hp and 440 Nm of torque. All of the engine variants will be coupled to a 7-speed automatic transmission with different driving settings such as: economical, comfortable, sporty and manual.

The V-Class also throws away the clichéd Viano face for a brand new look with day-time LEDs and a hunkier front facsia. On the inside, there’ll be a host of seating arrangements made available across different variants. There will also be a standing 7-inch central display and piano-lacquer-look trim to add to the overall appeal.

The 2014 Mercedes V-Class van is expected to be available in the European markets by early March with an exclusive limited model dubbed “Edition 1”. Either way, we could expect the V-Class to make it to UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC by mid-summer this year. Keep your eyes posted for more news.