Marco Polo EDITION and Marco Polo ACTIVITY EDITION: attractive models with numerous extras as standard
Marco Polo AMG Line with expressive styling elements
Mercedes me connect now also for the Marco Polo
Mercedes-Benz for the first time showing camper van solution for Citan Tourer with TopDog rooftop tent from 3DOG camping
Further camper van body solutions: HYMERCAR Grand Canyon S based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Vansportscamper based on the Vito
The Marco Polo and Marco Polo ACTIVITY have brought considerable success for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the camper van market. At the Caravan Salon in DĂĽsseldorf, the brand with the three-pointed star will be presenting an overview of its various activities in the market on stand D18 in hall 16.
In the form of the Marco Polo EDITION and the Marco Polo ACTIVITY EDITION, Mercedes-Benz is presenting two edition models for Germany that come with many extras as standard.
Moreover, the attractiveness of Mercedes-Benz vehicles as the basis for camper vans is underlined by two new body solutions: the HYMERCAR Grand Canyon S based on the Sprinter and the Vansportscamper designed by Terracamper in collaboration with Hartmann Tuning, based on the Vito Tourer SELECT.
Seen on the Mercedes-Benz stand for the first time in the guise of a camper van is the Citan Tourer with TopDog rooftop tent from 3DOG camping. With this range of solutions, Mercedes-Benz Vans is showing products from right across its portfolio at this year’s Caravan Salon.
“We are consequently continuing to press forward with our activities in the camper van market”, says Klaus Maier, Head of Marketing and Sales Mercedes-Benz Vans.
“The new Marco Polo and Marco Polo ACTIVITY edition models mean that we are now able to offer our customers a range of practical and comfortable extras at an attractive price. We are also very proud of the considerable interest shown by body and conversion specialists in our base vehicles. Once again we are able to show a range of new camper van solutions on our Mercedes-Benz stand.”
The Marco Polo EDITION
The display on the Mercedes-Benz stand includes the edition models Marco Polo EDITION and Marco Polo ACTIVITY EDITION, which come equipped with numerous optional extras as standard, at a very attractive price.
In terms of its exterior design, the Marco Polo EDITION is significantly different from the standard model: the Exterior Sports Package, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and metallic paintwork all emphasise the vehicle’s dynamic flair. The 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission guarantees exceptionally smooth shift changes, optimal power transmission and lower fuel consumption.
At dusk, or when driving at night, improved visibility is ensured courtesy of the Intelligent Light System. The adaptive headlamp system uses a range of five lighting functions to adapt automatically to the prevailing weather, light and driving conditions. The Audio 20 CD multimedia system offers a blend of entertainment, information and communication.
Navigation is made easier by the Garmin® MAP PILOT, which will include Live Traffic as standard from September 2016. Once a destination has been reached, the Parking Package makes manoeuvring in tight spaces easier.
The hot-air auxiliary heating system with timer switch and temperature control plus the “TEMPMATIC” air conditioning system ensure a pleasant temperature in the interior – regardless of whether the journey leads to the Arctic Circle or into the hot Tuscan sun. A radio remote control for the hot-air auxiliary heating system is available as an option.
The Marco Polo ACTIVITY EDITION
The edition model of the Marco Polo ACTIVITY emphasises the camper vans’ reputation as a functional and flexible travel partner, not only for young families but also for sports enthusiasts and outdoor fans. Whether it is being used as a changing room during surfing competitions, as a quiet retreat between motocross races or as a base camp for climbers, the Marco Polo ACTIVITY is up for any adventure.
To reflect this, Mercedes-Benz is showing the vehicle at the Caravan Salon DĂĽsseldorf with a trailer and motocross bike. The edition variant of the Marco Polo ACTIVITY also comes with a range of extras. Detachable body parts and bumpers painted in the vehicle colour, metallic paintwork, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and tinted glass in the rear differentiate it visually.
The state-of-the-art Audio 15 information and communication system features a high-resolution 14.7 centimetres TFT display screen and an iPod® interface, while the addition of the Becker® MAP PILOT turns the audio system into a fully-fledged navigation system. A hot-air auxiliary heating system with a time switch and temperature control, seat heating for the driver and front passenger plus the “TEMPMATIC” air conditioning system ensure a pleasant ambience, whatever the conditions.
The Marco Polo EDITION is available to order at prices from 59 500 euros (price in Germany incl. 19 percent VAT). The entry-level price for the Marco Polo ACTIVITY EDITION is an attractive 44 625 euros (price in Germany incl. 19 percent VAT).
As well as the edition models, Mercedes-Benz is showing a range of special accessory items for the Marco Polo and Marco Polo ACTIVITY that will be available ex factory from 2017. These include isotherm mats for the front windows that, on the one hand, provide protection from prying eyes, while, on the other hand, helping to ward off the heat in bright sunshine.
There will also be an insect and mosquito net and a mattress cover for the lower bed that compensates for the uneven surface of the bench seat/berth, thus providing an ergonomically optimised surface to lie on. The special accessory items all serve to enhance camping comfort.
The Marco Polo AMG Line
A further highlight on the stand is the Marco Polo AMG Line, a vehicle that, more than any other in this class, introduces an element of sportiness to the compact camper van segment. Exterior styling elements such as the AMG front apron with its prominent air inlets, diamond-pattern mesh and chrome trim, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a seven-twin-spoke design, the expressive AMG spoiler lip along with the diffuser-look rear apron and a chrome load sill guard add a touch of sportiness to the design of the Marco Polo.
The interior, too, shows the typical AMG hallmarks with air vents in silver chrome, sports pedals in brushed aluminium and carbon-fibre-look trim. Furthermore, the Marco Polo AMG Line features brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering and a sports suspension with tauter damping and springing, which has been lowered by 15 millimetres. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension with frequency-dependent variable damping is available as an option.
Mercedes me connect now also for the Marco Polo
The new Mercedes me connect services, introduced here for the first time for the Marco Polo, allow customers in almost 20 Mercedes me markets to link up quickly and easily with their Marco Polo via smartphone, tablet or PC.
The Mercedes me connect standard services, which come free of charge, include the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system, accident recovery, maintenance management and breakdown management, as well as telediagnostics and remote vehicle diagnostics. The real-time traffic service “Live Traffic Information” and numerous remote online services are also available as options.
The customer can use these to access vehicle information such as the tank fill level or vehicle range, or to lock or unlock the doors. Similarly, it is possible to activate the optional hot-air auxiliary heating system in this way, even from a distance of several kilometres, thus ensuring that the traveller has a nice, warm vehicle to return to.
HYMERCAR Grand Canyon S: Sprinter panel van as base vehicle
For the first time, Mercedes-Benz Vans is presenting body and conversion solutions for every vehicle across its portfolio – from the Citan to the Sprinter – at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf.
In the growth segment of premium camper vans, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel van is a popular base vehicle. The latest example here is the HYMERCAR Grand Canyon S, which is also being shown on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Caravan Salon DĂĽsseldorf.
The equipment and appointments of the HYMERCAR Grand Canyon S offer a high degree of comfort, including a transverse bed with a surface area of 195 by 140 centimetres, a kitchenette and a fully equipped bathroom.
Safety and versatility make the Sprinter attractive for bodybuilders. The current Sprinter, for instance, is the only van that comes already equipped with Crosswind Assist, even as a base vehicle. This electronic assistant is particularly important for camper vans.
They are inherently more vulnerable to crosswinds than passenger cars, as the side wall presents a larger area to the wind. Apart from Crosswind Assist, four further assistance systems are available as options for enhanced safety in the Sprinter: Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, High Beam Assist and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST.
A new weight variant of the Sprinter, with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 5.5 tonnes, now gives way to further body and conversion solutions within the varied camper van market. This broadening of the model range brings an increase of almost half a tonne in the maximum payload for the Sprinter as a panel van to 3.15 tonnes and an increase in the load-bearing capacity of the chassis with cab to a maximum of 3.46 tonnes. This takes the payload for the Sprinter to a record level in this weight category.
Vansportscamper: base provided by the Vito Tourer
In terms of compact camper vans, Mercedes-Benz is showing the Vansportscamper created by body specialist Terracamper together with Hartmann Tuning. The Vansportscamper uses the Vito Tourer as its base vehicle. This compact camper van neatly combines expressive design with sportiness. With a matt black sleeper roof, matt black aluminium wheels and detachable body parts from Hartmann, the exterior design of the Vansportscamper is particularly striking.
Camper van manufacturers benefit from the broad product range and exceptional ride comfort of the Vito. It is available with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive in three engine variants, namely 100 kW (136 hp), 120 kW (163 hp) and 140 kW (190 hp).
In addition, the Vito is available with front-wheel drive in output variants of 65 kW (88 hp) and 84 kW (115 hp). Power is transferred either by a six-speed manual transmission or by the 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed torque converter transmission, which is a unique feature in this vehicle class. Both Crosswind Assist and ATTENTION ASSIST are fitted as standard.
New opportunities for an individualised conversion of the Vito – or V-Class – are also provided by the SCA pop-up roof available from Mercedes-Benz and C.F. Maier, an established manufacturer of pop-up camper van roofs.
The front-opening pop-up roof known as the SCA 152 is available for both the V-Class and Vito in the long body version with an overall length of 5.14 metres. Also available is the SCA 153, a rear-opening pop-up roof for both these Mercedes-Benz models.
Citan with Top Dog rooftop tent: quick conversion to camper van
The smallest member of the Mercedes-Benz Vans family can also be very easily converted to a camper van for up to two people. The TopDog rooftop tent from specialist 3DOG camping means that short breaks or active recreational sport, involving a spur-of-the-moment decision to stay away overnight, are now possible with the Mercedes-Benz Citan.
The compact rooftop tent with cover, including self-contained living space and integrated floor, can be opened up in just a couple a minutes. Packed away again and loaded onto the roof of the vehicle, its height is just 25 to 30 centimetres.
