After seeing this new Vito Sport, we’re starting to worry that Mercedes-Benz Vans might be losing its mind a little bit. We typically think of Mercedes as a paragon of good taste, but following on from the outlandishly stickered-up X-Class Element, the new Vito Sport has also lost the subtlety battle with whoever does the decal design at HQ.
Presumably this is some kind of effort to compete with Ford’s Transit Custom Sport models – but the large sections of silver on the bonnet and side skirts of this black example don’t exactly shout class to us. But perhaps we’re out of touch.
Stickers aside, what’s special about the new Vito Sport?
This isn’t the first time Mercedes has offered a Sport version of its medium van, but this September 2019 announcement reveals the first Vito Sport since the range was reshuffled at the beginning of the year, introducing a selection of three other trim levels: Pure, Progressive and Premium.
The Sport comes in as the top dog, and stands out not just because of the decals. The major upgrade here is the 10mm lower sports suspension, but you also get new side skirts and some fancy alloy wheels to justify the name.
What’s more, standard kit includes LED headlights, DAB radio, sat-nav and an automatic gearbox. On the inside you’ll also find heated front seats, some chrome detailing and a centre console storage compartment.
The headlights feature highbeam assist ‘plus’, no less, while you also get heated windscreen washer jets (actually extremely useful when the weather turns frosty) and electrical auxiliary heating.
Turning up the fancy even more, velour floor mats, Active Parking Assist automatic parking, heat-insulating glass, air-conditioning, cruise control, reversing camera and an anti-theft package all come included in the price as well.
Is the Sport trim level available right across the Vito range?
Quite the opposite. While you can have it in the L1 and L2 body lengths, and with a choice of 163hp 116 CDI or 190hp 119CDI 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine, the Vito Sport is only available as a Crew Van or an eight-seater Tourer.
So there is no basic Vito Sport panel van available at all.
Incidentally, the Tourer is classified as an M1 vehicle, which means it can do car speed limits – but is also subject to car rather than van taxation levels. It’s also fitted with massive 19-inch alloy wheels; the Crew Van makes do with 17-inch alloys.
Sounds… expensive
Well, it’s not cheap. The Vito Sport Crew Van starts at £37,475 and the Vito Sport Tourer starts at £40,570 – both prices excluding VAT.
You can order one now.
Also read:
>> Mercedes-Benz Vito full review
