Mercedes-Benz Metris
With the Sprinter 4x4 creating a new niche in commercial vehicles in Canada, Mercedes-Benz will expand its commercial fleet this fall with the arrival of the Metris. Known globally as the Vito, this midsize commercial van will be available in cargo and passenger versions, and will be powered by a 208-horsepower turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The engine will feature an emissions-reducing start/stop function. The Metris will be available only with rear-wheel drive in North America, though other markets also have a front-wheel drive version.
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The Metris claims 67 percent more payload capacity and 40 percent more cargo volume than other midsize vans like the Chevrolet City Express, the Ford Transit Connect and the Nissan NV200, while maintaining exterior dimensions that will allow it to “easily fit in underground parking garages.”
Available safety features mirror those on the larger Sprinter van, including attention assist, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, collision prevention assist, and crosswind assist, the last one reducing the tendency for the van to weave in crosswinds.
The Metris will arrive at dealers in the fall, with a starting price of $33,900 for the cargo van and $37,900 for the passenger van.