A New Star Among Vans: Mercedes-Benz Vans Unveils Midsize Metris Van in Indianapolis

STUTTGART/INDIANAPOLIS -- March 4, 2015; Mercedes-Benz Vans USA is launching another star in the U.S. van market: the Metris. This midsize van is the U.S. version of the new Vito, and it is celebrating its premiere today (March 4) at The Work Truck Show. Beginning in September, the Metris will be available in a variety of panel van (cargo) and Tourer (passenger) versions at the more than 200 dealerships run by Mercedes-Benz Vans USA. It will be the second Mercedes-Benz van on the U.S. market after the Sprinter.

“It’s only logical that we employ a global approach and expand our successful Mercedes-Benz Vans product range to the U.S.,” says Bernie Glaser, Vice President and Managing Director of Daimler Vans USA.

The Metris is an important new component of the “Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global” growth strategy. In addition to exploiting new growth potential outside of the core European markets, this strategy aims to expand existing activities and further extend the division’s technology leadership.

The Metris is a version of the new Mercedes-Benz Vito that has been especially adapted to the North American market. As a midsize commercial van, the Metris is larger than other vans offered in the segment below the Sprinter on the U.S. market. As a result, it defines a new vehicle class for the U.S. and Canada. The vehicle’s size is especially adapted to the customers’ needs, and the van meets the highest standards of efficiency, safety, and ride comfort.

The Metris’ strengths — a compact design combined with a big cargo volume and a high payload — are especially beneficial in the dense traffic of large North American cities.

At its market launch, the Metris is equipped with the state-of-the-art four—cylinder M274 gasoline engine that has 1.9 liters of displacement. The drive system thus meets the U.S. market’s demand for gasoline engines. Mercedes-Benz offers this powerful and economic engine variant specifically in North America. The efficient turbocharged engine produces 155 kW (211 hp) of output and a maximum torque of 350 Nm.

By adopting the new Vito’s high standards, the Metris also sets a new safety benchmark for the U.S. market. As the only van in its class, even the basic version of the Metris panel van features airbags and a seatbelt warning system for both the driver and front passenger as standard equipment. Boasting up to eight airbags for the driver and passengers, the Metris Tourer is the new benchmark in this regard.

Standard equipment in the Metris also includes a tire pressure monitoring system and the Attention Assist system. As a unique feature for a midsize van, the Metris also comes with Crosswind Assist as standard equipment. Crosswind Assist almost completely offsets the effects of strong wind gusts. The Metris can be further customized with additional assistance systems that are available as options.

The Metris is celebrating its world debut today (March 4) at the Work Truck Show, which is one of the 100 biggest trade shows in the U.S. It is held each year by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) in Indianapolis. The NTEA represents companies that manufacture and equip commercial vehicles and commercial vehicle bodies in the U.S.