Mercedes Varios Stays in Production, Gets Facelift

Mercedes has decided to keep the Vario commercial vehicle in production, announcing it will receive a facelift that will see it being equipped with a new drivetrain.In order for the Vario to meet requirement of the future emission standards, it will get a new engine that will use new exhaust technology, which will be combined with the current SCR technology to allow the vehicle to meet the Euro VI standard.

The Vario will continue to be manufactured at the Ludwigsfelde plant beyond 2013. Mercedes says this decision has been taken due to the vehicle’s market success.

“The long-standing market success of the Vario in the high-capacity van segment is testimony to the sound investment in the vehicle and in the Ludwigsfelde plant near Berlin. The largest member of the Mercedes-Benz van product family not only combines the high load capacity of a 'light truck' with the agile handling characteristics of a van, but offers an equally compelling proposition with its sophisticated product quality, reliability and unrivalled combination and special-purpose body options,” stated the press release.

The Vario’s front engine solution allows it to ditch the tilting cab solution, which offers it an advantage on the van market, as the driver can access the rear section of the vehicle from the cabin. This allows the vehicle to be used for applications like parcel-deliver or emergency services, as well as for camping.

“All in all, the Vario is the ideal tool for tomorrow's challenges - even as it moves into its 15th year of production - thanks to its customised, flexible body options which are tailored precisely to customer requirements,” stated the press release.