Mercedes-Benz has a
longstanding business in commercial vehicles. That's been realized to a large
extent in the Western hemisphere by the success of the Sprinter van, but
Daimler is also keen to break into the mid-size cargo van market with the
Metris.
So to showcase what it's smaller van can do, it
worked up this concept for the Chicago Auto Show that's both functional and a
little bit whimsical.
Built by RENNtech,
the Mercedes-Benz Metris MasterSolutions Toolbox van concept packs all manner
of upfitted equipment to get the job done, and a visual treatment bound to put
a smile on your face.
It includes all manner of shelves, racks, and cases
to store and transport whatever equipment the job calls for, along with a
grippy (and easily cleaned) tile floor, and a partition between the cargo and
driver's compartments. The whole thing is wrapped in a unique livery, with
matching wheels, oversized toolbox-style latches, and a big handle on the roof
– all to make it look like a giant rolling toolbox.
Motivation comes courtesy of a 2.0-liter turbo four,
rated at 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque through a seven-speed automatic
transmission. It'll accelerate from 0-60 in about nine seconds, return 21 miles
per gallon in the city (and 24 on the highway), carry 2,500 pounds of gear, or
tow 5,000 pounds in a trailer – all in a “right-sized” package.
The engine is stock, and while the retrofit is
anything but, Daimler offers a wide range of equipment through its
MasterSolutions program for both the Sprinter and the new Metris, as the
Vito/V-Class is sold in North America.
