W447 Mercedes-Benz V-Class/Viano sighted on test

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Mercedes-Benz is putting the final touches on the new W447 V-Class, a people mover that’s expected to fill the void left by the discontinuation of the R-Class in certain markets like the US.

The V-Class, also known as the Viano, is traditionally based on the Vito commercial panel van. You could say it’s the original ‘Alphard’ – before the Japanese got good at making their version of such vans more appealing to the loaded, the Mercedes-Benz Viano was the people mover of choice for the affluent. You can still see them parked in the bungalows of the ‘old money’ in Malaysia.

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The car that we see on test matches the sketches that were released previously, even down to the design of the alloy wheels! The glass at the rear covers the C-pillar, making it invisible.

The V-Class will get sliding doors, with a visible track for the doors on the van’s body. That’s one thing many of these large passenger van manufacturers always miss – in the Alphard and Vellfire, the track is hidden neatly just below the window, making it invisible.

The previously released photos show a large interior that has the second and third row facing each other. They are likely configurable to make all of them face the same direction.

The dashboard features Mercedes-Benz’s new touchpad COMAND controls, with a floating tablet display for the infotainment system.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • No matter how good is the design, i cant stop thinking tt it’s a coffin mover

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
    • maybe can hv option to add-on a photo frame at the front °∪°

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Dec 09, 2013 at 8:51 am

      Yes, you will be six feet under once you see the bad RV. Lately, all Mercedes within one year can lose so much RV. Even 2013 E250 now being sold by MBM for RM270,000 just to clear stock, when brand new is RM400,000

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • jolly_idiot on Dec 08, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    The sketch has much better looking than the actual

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Sam Loo on Dec 08, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    Checkout the price of a 18 mth old Starex.

    Can get below RM50k

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 1
  • seancorr on Dec 08, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    Interior looks awesome but the exterior leaves much to be desired. Hope the final outcome looks decent enough to be on the road.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • PauKaya on Dec 09, 2013 at 12:34 am

    i hope this one would be decent overall…the last two were pretty disappointing, not even as good as a renault espace.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • NurburgringDriver on Dec 27, 2013 at 2:49 am

    Please, Mercedes-AMG, make a V55/V63/V65 AMG version, variants that never existed on the older V-Class/Viano. Please AMG, just please, I want to carry 7 people in comfort to Muar from KL and destroy its tires or terrify passengers with sheer AMG power and lunacy. Sell it at RM1,000,000 also I don’t care.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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