2012 Mercedes-Benz Valente eight-seater on sale
The Mercedes-Benz Valente has been launched in Australia, becoming the mid-level option between the Vito and Viano vans in the German brand’s people mover line-up.
The introduction of the $54,490 eight-seat Valente has been accompanied by a repositioning of the five-/six-seat Vito, which is now $3000 cheaper than before at $49,990. The flagship six-/eight-seat Viano is priced from $70,946.
The Valente is based on the same platform as the two existing people movers. It’s powered by a 120kW/360Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine that officially uses 8.2 litres of fuel per 100km and emits 216 grams of CO2 per kilometre. A five-speed automatic transmission comes standard and drives the rear wheels.
The cabin features eight reclining seats, front and rear climate control, and a 730-litre boot. Other standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, CD player with AUX/USB/iPod connectivity, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, carpet flooring, front and side airbags, and rear privacy glass.
Four option packages can be added to further enhance the vehicle’s specification level:
Comand Aps satellite navigation – $4490
- 6.5-inch colour screen
- Reversing camera
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 4GB memory
- SD card slot
- HDD-based navigation
- Linguatronic voice control
Dual electric sliding doors – $2490
- Remote operation
- Obstruction sensor
- Activation switch on dash, key and B-pillar
Bi-xenon headlights – $1590
- Cornering function
- LED daytime running lights
Vehicle alarm system – $590
- Audible and visual alarm triggered by vehicle tampering
Mercedes-Benz’s passenger vans are reasonably slow sellers in Australia. The Vito accounted for just 1.0 per cent of the sub-$55,000 segment last year, which was dominated by the less expensive and more practical Kia Carnival. The Viano made up 15 per cent of the $55,000-plus segment, although it was outsold in 2011 by its only other two competitors, the Volkswagen Multivan and Chrysler Voyager.
The Valente will give Mercedes a vehicle better equipped to take on its eight-seat competitors at the upper end of the sub-$55,000 people mover market.