Mercedes-Benz Worker lineup expanded

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Mercedes-Benz Vans USA unveiled the addition of the Metris van to the company’s Worker lineup during a press event in Charleston, S.C. July 26.

The new Metris Worker will be offered both as a cargo and passenger van which are ‘right sized’ to be able to fit into a standard sized garage, while providing nearly twice the cargo space and payload capacity as traditional small vans.

“With a starting price of $25,995, the Metris Worker Cargo offers tremendous value for small businesses and fleets alike, in addition to providing superior cargo volume, payload capacities and high levels of safety,” said Bernie Glaser, head of the Mercedes-Benz USA Vans division, adding that the Passenger model has a starting price of $29,995.

The Metris Worker boasts a towing rating of 5,000 lbs., a payload capacity over 2,500 lbs. and service intervals of up to 15,000 miles.

With a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the Metris Worker offers the same engine, transmission and capacities as the traditional Metris.

The Cargo model comes with 186 cubic feet of cargo volume inside, 180-degree rear doors and a metal cargo floor, which can be customized with an optional factory wood floor or several other flooring varieties. It is also offered exclusively in white for ease of customized decals or paint.

While the Cargo is intended for those in fields such as plumbing and general contracting, the Passenger is geared toward shuttle and limousine companies, coming exclusively in a seven-seat configuration that provides ease of access to the van’s third row and cargo room behind the rear seats.

With removable second and third row seats, the Passenger can be configured for additional cargo space when needed. It also comes with a standard ‘Audio 10’ head unit with Bluetooth, an auxiliary input, USB port and five speakers.

Each Metris Worker model comes in a variety of packages, with the Cargo van offering a convenience package for $1,999 that includes a rear view camera, heated, electrically adjusted exterior mirrors, LED light in rear cargo area, cruise control, rain sensor wipers and a first aid kit. For $3,999, the Utility package adds blind spot assist, heated washers and wipers on the rear window, roof rails, interior rear view mirror, cargo straps and D-rings, wood floor in cargo area and waist-level cargo area paneling.

The Passenger tenders three packages – convenience, appearance and comfort, for $1,999, $3,999 and $5,999 respectively.

The convenience package is similar to what is offered with the Cargo model, while the appearance includes roof rails, painted bumpers, liftgate, five-spoke alloy wheels and black leatherette seats. The comfort adds blind spot assist and electric sliding doors on the passenger and driver’s sides.

Sprinter

Along with Daimler Vans USA, Mercedes-Benz USA announced the expansion of its Sprinter Worker lineup to include additional chassis, engine and body configurations beginning later this year.

“The response since we introduced the Sprinter Worker earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show has exceeded our expectations,” said Glaser. “We received such terrific feedback from our dealers and customers that we have added several optional features to the Worker lineup. We remain committed to providing an affordable and approachable van, starting at just $32,495 for all the hard-working contractors, delivery and shuttle drivers.”

A new high-roof cargo van model with a 170” wheelbase will now be offered. The model will boast up to 486.5 cubic feet of cargo space and an interior standing height of close to 6.5 feet.

The Sprinter Worker Cargo van lineup will also offer a 3.0-liter V6 BlueTec turbo diesel engine.

The standard 2.1-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine (161 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque) is paired with the 7G-Tronic 7-speed transmission, which the company says helps achieve the best fuel efficiency possible, with over 23 miles per gallon, all while providing a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. and a maximum payload of 3,512 lbs.

Some of the standard equipment highlights for the Sprinter include a cabin partition preparation, six standard airbags and Crosswind Assist Load-Adaptive Traction Control.

The Sprinter Worker comes in both the Cargo and Passenger models, with the Cargo offering three packages – convenience, utility and overtime – and the Passenger providing two – convenience and overtime.

MasterSolutions

Mercedes-Benz USA is also offering a turnkey vocational upfit solution for both its Metris and Sprinter Vans series, as well as Freightliner.

The company has teamed with SmartLiner, Auto Truck and Knapheide to provide customers with the dealer-orderable upfit solutions called MasterSolutions.

The service is able to provide any van with a variety of customized details, including shelves, racks, cab chassis bodies, refrigeration units and even a 14-passenger van.

“You’re the expert in your trade, and your van is the tool to get the job done. MasterSolutions allows you to configure your van directly via your Mercedes-Benz Vans or Freightliner Vans dealer and get you exactly the van you need right when you need it– so you can concentrate on finishing the job,” said Glaser. “Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner bring you a portfolio of turn- key solutions for your vocation; anything from shelving to refrigeration or even transportation of people, all at a preferred price. These pre-configured MasterSolutions from industry leading manufacturers are customized to fit your Sprinter or Metris van, and can be quickly configured and ordered via your preferred dealer. The ordering process is streamlined and installation is also simple — all MasterSolutions are fitted directly as ship-thru, thus ensuring seamless integration, delivery time and consistent quality.”

The new Metris Worker van.
The new Metris Worker van.

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A university graduate with a degree in English, I have worked in the media and trucking industries as a writer, editor, and now as western bureau chief of Today's Trucking and TruckNews.com. I have several years of management experience in journalism, as well as hospitality, but am first and foremost a writer, both professionally and in my personal life, having completed two fiction novels.
derek@newcom.ca
@DerekClouthier


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