Once again, Mercedes-Benz has raised the bar for automotive safety in the commercial van segment. Its popular van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito is the first to receive the highest 5-star safety rating for a light commercial van from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
The announcement came after the Vito passed a series of strict testing and assessment protocols set by ANCAP, including frontal-offset, side-offset and the pole crash tests. Aside from the Vito, the Mercedes-Benz high-end Viano van also obtained a 5-star rating for the ANCAPís pole crash test.
Itís little wonder then that Mercedes-Benz Sydney North Shore clients have embraced both of these Mercedes vehicles.
Standard safety features
The findings of the ANCAP only confirm the effectiveness of the safety innovations that Mercedes-Benz continuously develops for all its vehicles, from its passenger cars to its vans.† In fact, Mercedes-Benz† pioneered the ABS brakes, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) and impact crumple zones, which are now standard features found in all Mercedes-Benz cars.
About ANCAP
The ANCAP is the Australian consumerís source of objective information on the level of occupant protection provided by vehicles in serious front and side crashes.† Its methods and findings are accepted by Australian and New Zealand automobile clubs and relevant local government agencies.
ANCAP crash tests
ANCAP came up with the rating after subjecting the Mercedes-Benz vans to four internationally recognized crash tests, namely, the offset-frontal, side-impact, pedestrian and pole impact tests. The crash tests took place in independent specialist crash test laboratories using crash test dummies. The vans were given individual scores for various parts of the crash test, as well as bonus points for other safety features like the built-in mechanisms that remind occupants to fasten their seatbelts.
Vito 5-Star rating
The Vito and Viano both obtained a total score of 32.66 out of a possible 37, which translates to an over-all top-level 5-star rating under ANCAP guidelines. Mercedes-Benz obtained high scores as well because of its standard curtain airbags and electronic stability control (EPS).
While most car manufacturers only aim to provide car safety in its passenger vehicles, the safety features of the Vito and Viano vans signify increased workplace safety as well to many thousands of van drivers in Australia.
Mercedes-Benz currently sells two van models in Australia, the Vito and the Sprinter (the Mercedes-Benz Vito is the compact van while the Viano is the top-of-the-line luxury version of the Vito).
The Vito is available in four-cylinder and V6 turbo diesel engines while the Viano has a turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine. Australians prefer the Mercedes-Benz vans as more than 1500 units were sold last year.
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