New Mercedes-Benz Vito is miles better on fuel
More than 50 miles per gallon – from a van! That was the stunning fuel economy figure recorded by a customer in a Mercedes-Benz Vito, at the H&L Garages MPG Challenge.
The result was achieved at an event in Hull, to mark the launch of the latest Vito range. Powered by a new family of engines, all of which meet Euro 5 emissions limits, the Mercedes-Benz Vito offers operators a real ‘win-win’ solution – each model is more powerful than the equivalent version in the outgoing range, yet is also more fuel efficient.
To demonstrate the Vito’s prowess at the pumps, H&L Garages, which has dealerships in Immingham, Boston, Lincoln, Scunthorpe and York, as well as Hull, invited customers to take a measured test drive in a new 113CDI Long, and record their mpg figure. The van came fitted with the optional Mercedes-Benz BlueEFFICIENCY package – a raft of extras such as low rolling-resistance tyres, and the ECO-Start system, which automatically cuts the engine when the vehicle is stationary.
The winner on the day was Shaun Smith, Managing Director of Bespoke Floor Specialists, of South Cave. Carefully piloting the unladen Vito from H&L’s dealership at Priory Park, on a 13-mile trip to Brough and back that took in a variety of main roads and country lanes, he achieved a remarkable 52.3mpg!
Now his name will go into a hat, along with those of the winners from other events being held at each of H&L’s sites, with the first drawn out winning the free use of a Vito for three months.
“I already run a Vito so I know they’re great on fuel, as well as strong, stylish and reliable,” he said. “But even I was surprised at the economy figure I was able to record on this run. More than 50 mpg from a van of this size really is impressive.”
Mr Smith’s current Vito 112CDI has racked up nine years of sterling service and is soon to be replaced – finally – by a new Vito Sport-X model.
As well as excellent fuel consumption, his van has also demonstrated its abilities in terms of performance, handling and road-holding. A keen amateur motorsport enthusiast, Mr Smith makes regular trips to the legendary Nurburgring public racing track in Germany – where he recently completed a lap of the 13-mile circuit at the wheel of his Vito in 10 minutes 18 seconds, just 10 seconds outside the van record set by German racing driver Sabine Schmidt and filmed by BBC’s Top Gear!
H&L Garages represents the legendary three-pointed star in Lincolnshire, Humberside and East and North Yorkshire. It sells and supports the award-winning Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle range, from the compact and stylish Vito van to the mighty Actros long-haul tractor unit, as well as the Fuso Canter family of light trucks.
