SINGAPORE — Cycle & Carriage has launched the new Mercedes-Benz Vito, a mid-size van that is both big on space and small on carbon footprint. On the same day, the company also started sales for the luxurious configurable V-Class — an 8-seater passenger Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV version of the vehicle).

In its third generation, the all new Vito is marketed as “low on cost but high on payload” and starts at $125,988 with COE. According to Mercedes, it is currently the only model in its class available with three different drive systems — front, rear and all-wheel drive.

It is also the first van of its kind to offer three varying vehicle lengths  — compact, long and extra-long — enabling it to carry up to 1,369kg of cargo, also the highest for payload capacity in its class.

Maximum cargo area for the compact version is 3.97 square metres, 4.30 square metres for the longer version and 4.76 square metres for the extra-long. Maximum loading length for the compact version is 2586mm, the longer version 2831mm and 3061mm for the extra long.

According to Richard Hall, general manager of Commercial Vehicles for Daimler Southeast Asia, the Vito is Mercedes-Benz’s Commercial’s bread and butter.

“It is our main seller here in Singapore in terms of volume and sales,” says Hall. The Vito is used by fleet customers including DHL and Philip Morris as well as SMEs.

Built from the ground up, the new Vito’s engine, transmission, interior styling, safety features and impact on the environment have all been dramatically changed to suit the wants and needs of both local and global customers.

In fact the only thing that remains of the old Vito is the vehicle’s dimensions. The reason for this is that Singapore has strict height, width and length restrictions. “This new Vito is about 25mm lower than the previous generation and comes under 1.9 metres which is key in Singapore,” says Hall.

The Vito runs on a 2.2-litre, in-line 4 engine that produces 136 brake horsepower at 3,800 revs per minute. It goes from 0 to 100 in 12.8 seconds and has a top speed of 184km/h. If you go with the “Blue Efficiency” package, the company says you can expect a fuel consumption of 6.0L/100km.

According to the Land Transport Authority the average LCV in Singapore does almost 50 per cent more mileage a year than a passenger car, at 38,100km in 2014. An average passenger car does 17,800km. It is this startling fact that shows why fuel consumption is such a major factor in the purchasing decision for light commercial vehicles here in Singapore.

Not only has the fuel consumption been dramatically improved by the new engine technology, the folks at Mercedes designed the Vito to be up to a 120kg lighter than the old model. “This not only cuts down fuel consumption, it increases the payload, meaning you can carry more.” And this is what Hall hopes will appeal to those who are considering to upgrade their existing Vito.

Both the new Vito and V-Class meet Euro 6 standards for exhaust emissions emitting 158g/km of carbon dioxide. Though not required by law here in Singapore for a couple more years, the benefit of Euro 6 technology is that it tends to improve overall fuel economy.

As for the new V-Class, it is the successor to the Viano, first introduced in 2004. The new 2015 8-seater model takes luxury up a notch in the world of MPVs.

“In the past we had the Viano, which sold more than 600 units over a five-year period,” says Hall. The V-Class is based on a similar vehicle, but like the Vito, the engine and overall technology of the car have been upgraded.

Targeted at those looking for a 10-seat private bus, the interior has been fully brought into line with all Mercedes passenger cars. The new V-Class fills the space previously occupied by the R-Class. The model on show is the V 220 d and is currently available.

Another variant, the V 250 d will come with a higher specification but can only seat seven, and will be launched approximately one month from now. Prices of both models are yet to be confirmed.

As CarBuyer pointed out while reporting on the launch of Toyota’s new Alphard and Vellfire on the same day, the demand for large, comfortable vehicles is fast growing. Whether the face of luxury motoring is changing, the launch of boxy beasts like the V-Class and the new Toyotas suggests that the shape of it certainly is.