2015 Mercedes-Benz V-Class V 220 d Launched In Malaysia: From RM435k

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just launched its latest-gen V-Class in Malaysia, in the form of the V-Class V 220 d. Prices for the largest Mercedes-Benz passenger car start from RM434,888 (OTR with GST, without insurance), and come with a raft of optional items that let you customise the V-Class to match your specific needs.

The high customisation opportunity largely rests on this being a CBU unit (imported from Spain), and presumably, your V-Class will be ordered based on which boxes you tick on the spec list. This also means that the final price you pay may differ largely from what’s listed here – higher, or lower, depending on what you’ll have.

Either way, let’s take a look at what’s being tabled here.

So, what is it?

Not to be confused with the commercial Vito range of vans, the V-Class is very much a passenger car: one you’d mention in the same breath as a Nissan Elgrand or Toyota Alphard, but this one’s obviously a lot more ‘Mercedes-Benz’ than the two.

PERFORMANCE: Powering the V 220 d is effectively the same 2.1-litre (2,143cc) turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which also powers the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid in Malaysia, albeit tuned for a lower output. Here, the V 220 d makes 163hp and 380Nm of torque. In the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, it’s 204hp, and 500Nm of torque before factoring in its additional hybrid power.

Anyways, the 2.1-litre engine is paired with a seven-speed torque converter automatic transmission (7G-Tronic plus), and just like many new MB models, come with a Direct Select shift lever located behind the steering. The claimed fuel consumption figure for this is rated at 5.7-litres/100km.

Also like its Benz siblings, the V-Class comes equipped with the Agility Select control feature (E-S-M button), which lets you switch between driving three driving modes: Eco, Sport and Manual.

SEATING: Effectively, seating options range from the car being able to fit six to eight passengers comfortably, depending on how you specify the interior seating options.

For example, you could have the second row rear-facing seats as a two- or three-seater bench with a two-piece, individually folding backrest, or a three-passenger bench seat with two-piece seat cushion and three-piece backrest is available for both rear rows.

The outer right-hand seat of the three-seater bench can be folded forward or taken out separately. The entire bench can be folded forward to create space for large items, such as sports equipment or newly purchased furniture.

If you plan for whatever reason to use the V-Class for overnight accommodation, the rear-most row can also be equipped with a three-passenger bench seat as a comfort berth. Drawers are located underneath the berth, which can also be used as a second loading level. Cargo can also be stowed under all other bench seats. Moreover, like the individual seats, all bench seats are fitted with integral three-point seat belts.

AVANTGARDE LINE: There are two equipment lines available for the V-Class: one being the standard V-Class, the other a V-Class Avantgarde. The latter adds:

• Leather seats & steering wheel
• Ambient lighting
• Wood-look trims
• LED High Performance headlamps with Intelligent Lighting System
• Separately opening rear window with a second loading level
• Additional sliding door on the left
• Laminated glass windows for additional noise reduction
• Agility Control (adaptive) suspension

On top of this, there are also two wheelbase options for you to consider, with three different body lengths ranging from 4,895 to 5,370mm for you to decide on, but Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) hasn’t come forward with any pricing details for these just yet (nor is any information available on its local website), so you may have to visit an official dealership to find out more.

Exterior & Interior Styling:

Keeping in mind that the V-Class is highly customisable because of them being specifically ordered in smaller numbers from Spain, the people-carrier’s exterior largely depends on which boxes you tick on the spec sheet.

Up front, a two-bar radiator grille with the Mercedes-Benz three-point star in the centre is flanked by the car’s new-design headlamps, which you could optionally have as full LED High Performance Headlamps with Intelligent Lighting System.

In fact, just like the S-Class, you could have the entire car’s lighting go full LED, but will be a cost option to you. Around the back, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s option list also includes its EASY-PACK tailgate feature, which lets you open, close and stop the tailgate all at the push of a button, even from the driver’s seat.

Inside is where your customisation options don’t seem to end. The seats, as you wish to specify, can be had with or without the Fine Nappa leather (we understand that t RM435k list price here has it as standard), and so is it up to you to opt for the three-colour ambient lighting system.

INFOTAINMENT: The overall interior carries forward many design cues from what you’ll see in the latest-gen C-Class (W205), such as the free-standing 8.0-inch central display screen, circular air-vents, minimalist-like AC control switches and clever touchpad controls. Of course, the bulk of it is repositioned to fit in the V-Class.

The three-spoke steering wheel is a unique item to the V-Class, and features a similar 12 control buttons on it. The pictures here depict the top-spec COMAND Online infotainment system, but naturally, the higher-spec offering is a cost option. There’s also a more affordable Audio 20 CD system. As standard, the V-Class will also include the brand’s latest touchpad feature.

OTHER EQUIPMENT & FEATURES: No surprises then, that the V-Class also offers a full suite of Mercedes-Benz’s latest and greatest features. Having covered the infotainment, exterior and interior bits, the V-Class is also big on safety offerings – again, keeping in mind that a vast majority of these are optional, and will add to the price. There are a total of 11 driver assistance systems that are based on the car’s radar, camera and ultrasound sensors.

Crosswind Assist is a standard feature, and so too the Attention Assist. Optionally, drivers may be able to specify the Active Parking Assist feature to help manoeuvre the large MPV into parking spots, while you can also depend on the 360-degree camera, DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST.

A lot of the new V-Class’s development went into reducing NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels, with engineers developing new component concepts and comprehensive insulation to ensure V-Class occupants get the lowest noise level in the segment, so Mercedes-Benz claims. They also claim that the interior noise level has almost been halved against its predecessor.

Buyer’s Guide:

As mentioned already, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s V-Class isn’t being sold in a similar fashion to its sibling models: there are no set variants to choose from, so you’ll pretty much have to pick and choose every bit of your car to come up with the final product. Prices are expected fall in the range of RM434,888, and again, depends on how much spec you’ll have.

"With the new V-Class, we are expanding the Mercedes-Benz premium passenger car range with a saloon for up to eight people. Functionality is a must for the V-Class. It is a versatile, multitalented vehicle which offers value, efficiency and safety at the highest level to suit the lifestyle of the affluent Malaysians.” says Mark Raine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia

So, will you be upgrading your Toyota Alphards and Vellfires for this?