Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL as part of the educational tour at Stuttgart airport

On the 21st July, Stuttgart airport opened Fairport STR, a public educational tour providing information related to the topic of sustainability. The tour has been organised in cooperation with the Faculty of Environmental Management at the University of Hohenheim and various project partners, among them Mercedes-Benz, that is set to provide a Vito E-CELL model for demonstration purpose to the so-entitled "Emission-free Mobility" station.


Stations in the environmental tour

The sustainability tour at Stuttgart airport has been given the title Fairport STR. It concerns itself with nine different environmental and social topics related to the airport. Various stations distributed around the public areas of the airport invite visitors to take a tour and learn how Baden-Württemberg's principal airport addresses environmental and sustainability questions.

Emission-free mobility with the Vito E-CELL

The "Emission-free Mobility" station on the subject of e-mobility in the environmental tour was created by Mercedes-Benz. One guiding theme is: Driving into the future with the electric car – is that possible? At this station, a Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL and other displays directly, informatively and interactively make the future of emission-free mobility tangible for the visitor. Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL project manager Andreas Pohl: "Further development of the electric car is the right way to reach the goal of sustainable mobility. The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is the perfect answer in the van sector. We are very pleased to be part of this sustainability tour."

The latest drive technology, powerful lithium-ion batteries in the Vito E-CELL

The Vito E-CELL is the world's first locally emission-free, electric motor powered van available as standard ex factory. It combines the advantages of a classic van with a modern and environmentally friendly drive concept.

The electric motor of the Vito E-CELL generates an output of 60 kW and 280 Nm of torque. As the full torque is already available from start-off with an electric motor, the Vito E-CELL is capable of dynamic performance on a par with the familiar, high level of modern diesel engines. With a view to the typical operating profile of the Vito E-CELL, and in the interests of achieving the greatest possible battery range, the top speed of the van is limited to 80 km/h.

The batteries of the Vito E-CELL are housed under the load compartment floor, which saves space. These are ultra- modern, particularly powerful and durable lithium-ion batteries. Their total capacity is 36 kWh, enough for an operating range of around 130 kilometres. This means that the Vito E-CELL meets the average customer requirements for van operations, with an average daily distance of 50-80 kilometres plus a generous reserve.

Source: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

The Vito from Vitoria: two generations, one million vans

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Vitoria, Spain, May 26, 2011

- One millionth Vito produced in Vitoria
- Satisfied customers in 80 countries around the world

Last Friday, 13 May, saw the one millionth Vito leave the production line at the Vitoria plant. The van in question was a black model with a V6 diesel engine destined for the Dutch market.


A special occasion

To commemorate this historic occasion, 40 employees from the three production shops gathered next to plant manager Emilio Titos for a photograph to be taken. They have all played a part, from the very first day of production in September 1995 until now, in making the Vito van the success that it is in more than 80 countries around the globe.

Production starts

A new era began for the Vitoria plant in the autumn of 1995, with the launch of the Vito TO. Production increased from year to year, reaching a high point of 75,500 units at the turn of the millennium. In 2003, eight years after series production of the Vito had begun, came a further significant milestone: the introduction of the second generation, the Vito NCV2 with rear-wheel drive. While the tremendous range of models and variants may have presented the plant with some major challenges, it has certainly been extremely well received in the market.

Quality that continues to convince

Since September 2010, the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Vito 116 CDI has had the advantage of numerous new features.

Key among these is a completely redesigned, very economical and eco-friendly engine which, thanks to its balancer shafts, delivers an impressively smooth ride. The broad ratio spread of the new six-speed ECO Gear manual transmission ensures a convincing combination of top performance along with low consumption and emissions. The driving dynamics and handling of the Mercedes-Benz Vito benefit from the rear-wheel drive system. The new Vito also enjoys the added benefit of a newly developed and optimally tuned chassis.

Added operating convenience, enhanced comfort and a more high-quality look and feel – a list that summarises the changes made in the interior of the Vito. Whether it's the new shift lever, the push buttons in the upper control panel on the centre console or the upgraded optional overhead control panel - the Vito is more user-friendly than ever.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito has also put a new slant on things in terms of its exterior. New reflector headlamps frame the radiator grille; their housing also integrates daytime running lamps, which come as standard and have their own light source, and foglamps.

The new Vito goes to show that reliability and robustness are all part of the package with Mercedes-Benz, even in severe winter conditions.

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.