Mercedes-Benz Metris mid-size commercial van
April 23 2015, Mercedes-Benz
This official launch presentation of the model follows the “Mission: Metris” teaser campaign at SEMA in Las Vegas in November 2014 which featured four custom upfitted Metris concept vans. The Metris, which will be available in Canada starting in October 2015, is the Canadian and American sibling of the Vito, which will remain the mid-size commercial van name for all other global markets.
“The Mercedes-Benz Vans business has experienced double digit growth in Canada over the last few years. The Sprinter’s success story is a clear indication that Canadians have embraced the Mercedes-Benz know-how that can be attributed to over 120 years of experience in the commercial vehicle sector. It is therefore a most timely and natural progression for Mercedes-Benz Canada and our dealer network to now expand our successful vans business in Canada with the addition of the Mercedes-Benz Metris”, said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada.
The Metris is a right-sized vehicle with a unique combination of full-size van cargo capacity and payload but with the dimensions designed to thrive in urban environments. The Mercedes-Benz Metris is already strongly positioned as it offers up to 67% more payload and over 40% more cargo volume than other mid-size commercial vans currently available in Canada. The cargo van’s Canadian MSRP starts at $33,900 while the passenger van’s starts at $37,900. The Mercedes-Benz Metris promises to easily fit into underground parking garages in urban areas, and can also meet the needs of those who work out of their homes and have a need to garage the van. It also shares many of the functional and efficient characteristics of the Sprinter.
Pablo de la Peña, Vice-President of the Mercedes-Benz Vans division in Canada, added, “The Metris will be following in the footsteps of the Sprinter as the second model offered by Mercedes-Benz Vans in Canada. We are looking forward to setting new benchmarks in the mid-size commercial van segment by means of the Metris’ unmatched combination of cargo capacity, payload and efficiency”.
At the time of its scheduled launch in October 2015, all Mercedes-Benz dealers will sell and service the Metris. This new innovative mid-size commercial van will be available with a powerful 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to a refined, efficient, and robust 7-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive. This powertrain application, with optional ECO start/stop, was developed specifically for the Canadian and American markets to meet the needs of the mid-size commercial van segment, and will come with a service interval of up to 25,000 kilometres.
Safety features are a given for any Mercedes-Benz vehicle, and the Metris will feature 6 airbags for the cargo variant and 8 airbags for the passenger variant. All models will feature standard ATTENTION ASSIST, Crosswind Assist, and load-adaptive ESP. Optional safety features will include Active Parking Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, PARKTRONIC, Collision Prevention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, and a rear view camera. Many of the car-like interior features include premium touches and overall fit and finish. Large cupholders have also been added to the centre console to meet North American customer needs on long-hauls or local driving.
To put the promising future of the Metris into context, the Canadian sales of the full-size Mercedes-Benz Sprinter continue to be brisk. In 2014 alone, a total of 4,077 Sprinters were sold for an increase of 19.1%. Model year 2014 brought a complete redesign, the addition of a 4-cylinder BlueTEC clean diesel powertrain to complement the existing V6, and safety and infotainment upgrades. The 4-cylinder BlueTEC now proudly upholds the SULEV designation. This is a first for a diesel engine worldwide and underlines the brand’s Green Leadership.
Model year 2015 is even more exciting for the Sprinter with the addition of Crosswind Assist as a standard feature on all 2500 models not to mention the increased service intervals of up to 30,000 kilometres. The Sprinter 4x4, the latest addition to the Sprinter product line up, and the only 4x4 commercial van in Canada, has arrived and now provides the security of four wheel drive when the job calls for difficult driving conditions.
De la Peña further added, “Since its launch in Canada in 2010, the Sprinter has rightfully earned a huge amount of respect from the industry and from its owners as a truly impressive large van. We have learned a great deal in the last five years and are now fully prepared and excited for the imminent arrival of the Metris in Canada”.
