by Tony C. Lesesne
There’s plenty of cool stuff hiding beneath the surface of this amazing Cargo Van
Oh yeah, I KNOW, you’ve never seen me test drive one of these before. Yes it is a cargo van, but not your normal cargo van. No, this one has a General Electric GE90 high-bypass turbofan aircraft engine (at left) delivering 81,070–97,300 lbf (pound feet of force). You see, when you push the button underneath the drivers seat, the Metris slowly levitates allowing those powerful GE 90 twin engines to drop out of the bottom of the cargo van while wings simultaneously a slide out both sides of the vehicle from underneath transforming this otherwise harmless Mercedes Benz cargo van into a Monster aircraft jet in disguise. It’s like that car in Men in Black that went from this – to this. Remember that? okay I’m just kidding.
But this is a very unique and intelligent cargo van, and I appreciate it all the more because as I test drive the Metris, I realize just how many cargo vans populate the streets and highways each day. They’re everywhere, at stores, supply centers, construction sites, airports and business centers just to name a few. They attract those kinds of business owners and those that need the extra cargo space, and a roof to protect that cargo.
The biggest surprise to me is the performance. That figures, after all, it’s a Mercedes Benz. But taking to the point where they had the nerve to put paddle shifters in the steering wheel? On a cargo van?
The Metris Cargo and Passenger Vans are “right sized;” able to fit into the garages of hard-working plumbers, electricians, general contractors and shuttle drivers, all while offering nearly twice the cargo space and payload capacity as a traditional small van.
The Metris is available as a hollowed-out cargo van (with a short or long wheelbase) or a people-hauling passenger van.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The Metris looks pretty stylish for a Cargo Van. Get behind the wheel and its as formidable and more versatile than most cargo vans on the market today.
I’m not going to try to trick you again by saying this is the most elegant, sexy, dynamic, sensual and outright Badass design that makes your knees buckle when you look at it, Hope, not gonna happen. But as far as a cargo van goes, it’s pretty attractive. Look at the front first, classic Mercedes Benz grille with a few unique wrinkles, such as the three-layer panels in the middle of the grille. But hey, look at that lower front spoiler and the way the front slopes downward towards the ground for added aerodynamics. It’s lean for a cargo van too. When you look at the side profile, you can see the arch towards the back skipping ever so gently lower as you go farther back. There are sliding doors on both sides and dual opening doors on the back. There are handy roof rails on the top.
INSIDE
Inside, the setup behind the front seats varies between the open space of the cargo van and the two or three rows of seating found on the passenger version—the latter will hold between five and eight people. Although there is plenty of head room. There are issues with the seating space in the front seat because I’m 6’3 and it gets tight on the legs, so if you’re 6’4 or above, you’re probably screwed. But beyond that the driver compartment is pretty straight ahead but there are some hidden jewels within this area. There is storage everywhere, on the top and beneath the dash, in the doors, and of course on the center stack area.
CARGO PRACTICALITY
on the streets, you see cargo vans everywhere, but you just forget they exist until you need them. Now that I’m test driving one, I can’t miss them, in parking lots, on the highway and on work sites. It makes sense, they’re cargo vans and things need to get fro here to there without huge vehicles. The cargo area is abundant – providing a maximum payload 2425. Its wide and long enough to store and carry just about anything
THE DRIVE
The biggest surprise to me is the performance. That figures, after all, it’s a Mercedes Benz. But taking to the point where they had the nerve to put paddle shifters in the steering wheel? On a cargo van? Ok, let’s get real, anytime you see paddle shifters on anything it’s very likely going to be a lot more fun to drive. As a matter of fact I actually was able to move this baby from 0 to 60 Ok, let’s get real, anytime you see paddle shifters on anything it’s very likely going to be a lot more fun to drive. As a matter of fact I actually was able to move this baby from 0 to 60 in about 8 seconds, way faster than you thought right?
Lets first go straight to the source. Underneath the hood of every Metris is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes a helpful 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. That power is delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. The EPA estimates the Benz’s powertrain can earn up to 21 mpg city and 24 highway.
Many of you disagree with me on this, but safety technology belongs in the performance category – so check this out. Metris is also loaded with driver assist technology including a driver-attention monitor and crosswind-assist (this helps stabilize the van in strong winds during highway driving). Other high-tech equipment includes optional blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist.
The midsize Metris packs a punch with a tow rating of 5,000 lbs., high levels of safety, exemplary fuel economy, and up to 15,000 mile service intervals.
COOL POINTS
The Metris can also tow up to 5000 pounds and carry a maximum payload of 2502 pounds and up to 186 cubic feet of cargo volume.
For the third consecutive year, the Mercedes-Benz Metris WORKER took the title of The Metris WORKER Cargo starts at just $26,570, Best Fleet Value in America for the Mid-Size Commercial Passenger and Best Fleet Value in America for the Mid-Size Commercial Cargo Van.
(MSRP) of just under $27,765 when you include the $1,195 destination fee. That climbs to just under the $31,895 mark for the Metris Cargo van..
What’s New
Electrically adjustable front seats are now available as an option on Metris Passenger and Cargo Van
ECO Start/Stop function is now standard on Metris Passenger and Cargo Van (not WORKER version)
Steel Wheel in black color: Standard on Metris WORKER Cargo and WORKER Passenger Vans
Standard Feature Highlights
ATTENTION ASSIST®
Crosswind Assist
Front, Side Thorax-Pelvis and Window Air bags (in Passenger Van, window airbags extended to all seating rows)
Load Adaptive Electronic Stability Program
Hill-Start Assist
Rearview camera
Heat-Insulating Glass
15,000-mile maintenance interval
ECO Start/Stop
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Sliding driver’s side door (Metris Passenger and WORKER Passenger Vans only)
Trailer Brake Controller Connection
Automatic Passenger Airbag Deactivation
All-season tires
Optional Feature Highlights
New Metris Cargo Van Package: Front Cabin Lighting Package
Blind Spot Assist
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
Lane Keeping Assist
Becker Map Pilot Navigation System
PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist
Automatic Climate Control
17″ 20-Spoke alloy wheels
Comfort Suspension
Electric Sliding Doors