Beating the cold

Mercedes-Benz vans were recently put to an icy test in Finland. The Citan and Vito models both triumphed in the Arctic Van Test and proved their worth to a jury of renowned commercial vehicle publications from several European countries.

The assessment involved trips through urban areas, long-distance drives, handling tests on slippery ice surfaces and heat-performance tests following a cold start.

The Citan was the winner in the small van category and outperformed its competition in temperatures that dropped as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius.

Despite the fact that it was the first time this van participated in the test, it managed to quickly make a good first impression. It was praised for its driving experience – a major focus in the development of the smallest of the Mercedes-Benz vans.

In the city delivery van category, the Vito came out on top. It was closely examined, along with other compact vans, for its performance in gruelling, cold conditions.

“These two victories confirm that our vans perform outstandingly well even under extremely difficult conditions,” says Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz vans. “We’re especially pleased with the Citan’s victory.”

Nine Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans were then put through an even more challenging endurance test in North America. The vans were sent on a 5 300 km drive that started in Edmonton, Canada and continued through British Columbia and Yukon before finishing in Anchorage, Alaska.

After the test, the Sprinters showed their ability to succeed even under extreme conditions that included cold starts at temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius. The vans and their drivers were examined on snowy and icy roads, on a drive that featured steep mountain passes.

The independent test drivers praised the performance of the Sprinter’s V6 CDI engine, as well as its low noise levels and good driveability in all situations. The Sprinter’s functional and comfortable cab also provided a fitting contrast to the inhospitable conditions on the road outside.