A minibus is an absolute important for a highway journey. It labored out completely that we had a Mercedes-Benz V 300 d, simply after we wanted it most.
A minibus is an absolute important for a highway journey. Or so we determined when it labored out that we had a Mercedes-Benz V 300 d on fleet, simply after we wanted it most.
It proved a dream take a look at. We set off on or late, if hard-earned break by means of the Karoo and as much as the Wild Coast and lived each doable driving setting on this fantastic govt bus. South Africa is a nonetheless gorgeous place. What higher strategy to expertise the perfect of it, than on this limousine bus?
The Mercedes of Minibuses Matches the Invoice
Whether or not it was gliding down our personal Route 62 oblivious of the warmth exterior, exploring a highway with no identify’s port secrets and techniques en route splendid in a single day hideaway, V 300 d did all of it within the literal lap of luxurious. Then it actually got here into its personal buzzing concerning the seashore resort, driving, simply to drive and heading out for a splendid lunch or three.
Our slick silver bus appeared the half. These good Clever LED headlights even adapt to oncoming visitors to go away you to drive on excessive beam. Hanging 7-double-spoke 19-inch gentle alloys have strain monitoring. 19-inch wheels on a bus? Yup, you heard that proper! The good-looking V 300 d completely suits the invoice because the Mercedes of minibuses.
V300 d Has it All. And Then Some
To say V 300 d has all of it after which some is one other understatement of word. A 2019 restyle and refresh introduced enhanced luxurious and exclusivity. The streamlined cockpit gained elegant new upholstery and turbine air vents as a part of its advances. That had hardly gone down earlier than Merc added this newest, highly effective four-pot V 300 d turbodiesel to the combination.
Entrance occupants are spoiled in S Cass splendor. The whole lot is rendered in typical avant-garde Mercedes fashion. You need for nothing in there. V 300 d packs Mercedes-Benz MBUX ‘My Mercedes’ 10.25-inch touchscreen Infotainment with CarPlay, Bluetooth and Mercedes-Benz hard-disk navigation.
V 300 d the Lap of Luxurious Underneath a Panoramic Roof
Add top-drawer multichannel tech Burmeister 16-speaker encompass sound. It even has built-in voice amplification to make sure that the motive force and entrance passenger can comfortably converse with the rear passengers. All underneath a neat double rear panoramic roof.
Two climatized black leather-based command chairs pamper center row passengers with reclining and again therapeutic massage. With armrests either side and a middle console drinks cooler, they’re served by tabletops that fold out of the entrance seatbacks. Far simpler than these picnic tables all the trend on this neck of the woods.
So Many Particular Little V 300 d Touches
Anyway, our V 300 d additionally had auto-opening energy sliding rear doorways with little one locks. The boot is correct, too. Closed by a distant energy tailgate, it has an easy-pack shelf. The shelf actually is a boon that lets you retailer and pack smaller gadgets right into a pair of collapsible containers with nice ease and in affordable safety.
Highly effective and environment friendly, the 236 HP 368 lb.-ft two-liter four-cylinder OM654 turbodiesel has a 20 HP overboost. Turning Merc’s tried and trusted paddle shifting 9G-Tronic computerized with Dynamic Choose, it switches between consolation and sport as seamlessly because it shifts gears.
A Hoot to Drive With a Little Verve
V 300 d runs and performs as impressively as you’d anticipate from a Mercedes – like a dream! We have been impressed to document a 9 second 0-60 mph run. Overtaking agility is correctly elastic for a two-ton plus bus. Efficiency was significantly higher than anticipated and it’s a hoot to drive with a little bit of spunk.
Financial system is one other V 300 d plus. We averaged 28.6 miles per gallon in a good bit of combined driving, and over 600 miles on the open highway. That’s higher than claimed. Regardless of a load that grew and grew with wine containers, trinkets, and acquisitions as we progressed. All wolfed up by that voluminous V cabin and boot.
Very Little to Fault on Merc’s V 300 d
This bus doesn’t miss a security trick. It will get full Driver Help with Distronic Cruise, Pre-Secure, Lane Conserving, Blind Spot and Energetic Brake, in addition to Energetic Crosswind, Excessive beam, and Consideration Assistants. Add a 360-degree digital camera, driver and co-driver entrance and thorax, entrance window, A to B and B to D pillar airbags.
It is probably not obtainable within the US, however to these of us who do have the prospect to savor it, the Mercedes-Benz V 300 d stars on luxurious. We discovered little or no to fault on this bus of buses.
When you’re trying to shuttle as much as seven individuals within the absolute lap of luxurious, there are a number of compromises you may make. However what the hell, why not go the entire hog and get the actual factor? We did. It made our highway journey journey all that rather more of a pleasure…Â
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ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-Benz V 300 d Avantgarde AMG Line
Engine: 236 HP 368 lb.-ft 2-litre turbodiesel I4
Drive: 9-speed Automated RWD
ROAD TESTED:
0-40 mph: 4.11 sec
0-60 mph: 9.05 sec
0-80 mph: 12.37 sec
0-100 mph: 22.42 sec
¼- mile: 14.4 sec @ 86 mph
50-75 mph: 6.08 sec
75-100 mph: 10.04 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 220 km/h
Gasoline: 29 mpg
RATED: 9
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Images – Michele Lupini
