Hap Seng launches new 10-seater 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer, from RM 342k

Hap Seng Trucks Distribution Sdn. Bhd, the sole official distributor of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in Malaysia, has launched the 10-seater Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer earlier today. The van is imported (CBU) from Spain, prices start from RM 342,036.

Unlike the three-row, 8-seater V-Class, which is Mercedes-Benz’s answer to the Toyota Alphard and currently only available from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia upon special order, this new Vito Tourer adds one more row in the rear, making it a four-row, 10-seater (2-3-2-3 configuration).

Thanks to the 'seat guide rail feature,' users can remove or even turn the seats around, so the Vito can be converted into a 6-seater, or even a mobile meeting room. 

Who needs an 10-seater van you ask? There is a small but healthy demand for such cars, which are bought mostly by wealthy families of five – father, mother, 3 kids - who also need to travel with the grandparents and two maids. A regular Toyota Alphard just won’t do.

In comes the Mercedes-Benz Vito seen here. Globally, the Vito is available in two wheelbases and three different body length. The one imported by Hap Seng is the longest 3,430 mm wheelbase, 5,370 mm long Vito Tourer Select 121 variant. The other options offered in other countries are the shorter 3,200 mm wheelbase, 4,895 mm or 5,410 mm long version.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder M274 petrol engine that makes 211 PS and 350 Nm, paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission (9G-Tronic). It’s basically the same engine as the now discontinued C250, E250, and GLC 250.

Outside, the Vito is kitted up with 17-inch 5-spoke light alloy wheels and LED headlights and tail lights.

Where the Vito justifies its asking price is in its extensive list of safety and comfort / convenience features.

Six airbags and electronic stability control are a given for a Mercedes-Benz. The Vito adds:

• Active Brake Assist (AEB)
• Active Distance Assistance Distronic (adaptive cruise control)
• Blind Spot Assist
• Lane Keep Assist
• Hill Start Assist
• High Beam Assist Plus
• Tyre pressure monitoring system (crucial on a heavy load carrying vehicle)
• Reverse camera

Flat, slab-sided tall vehicles like a van are more sensitive to crosswinds when driving on highways, so the Vito’s electronic stability control has a built-in Crosswind Assist function.

The 7-inch Mercedes-Benz Audio 30 infotainment system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

All seats are black leatherette, and the front seats are power adjustable with memory function. The sliding doors on both sides are also power operated.

The most important feature for any van in Malaysia is air-conditioning and for this, the Vito combines both Thermotronic and Tempmatic automatic air-conditioning for the front and rear passengers respectively (roof-mounted vents on the sides).

Thermotronic is a fully automatic air-conditioning that controls both temperature and fan speed while Tempmatic controls just temperature (fan speed is manually adjustable).

More importantly, air vents for the rear passengers are set on the roof.

The Vito covered by a 4-year warranty. Prospective buyers should take note that the Vito is only sold by Hap Seng, so not it’s not available in other Mercedes-Benz dealers in Malaysia.

The roof rails are not just for show, they can carry up to 150 kg of additional cargo, but do mind the additional height when entering multi-storey parking complexes (it's 1,948 m tall, slightly below the 2 m limit).

Four colours are available – obsidian black metallic, rock crystal white metallic, graphite grey metallic, and cavansite blue metallic.

Sales and after-sales will be by any Hap Seng Star Mercedes-Benz dealer in Malaysia.