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Mercedes-Benz Vario
815D Vario minibus in Viernheim, Germany in March 2006
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz (1996–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007) Daimler AG (2007–2013)
Production	1996–2013
Assembly	Germany: Ludwigsfelde Spain: Alcobendas (CKD)
Body and chassis
Class	Commercial vehicle
Body style	2-door truck 4-door truck 3-door van 4-door van 4-door minibus
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive Front engine, four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	Mercedes-Benz OM602 Mercedes-Benz OM904
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3150-4800 mm
Width	2200 mm
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz T2
Successor	Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Mercedes-Benz Atego

The Mercedes-Benz Vario (model designation BM667/668/670) is a full-size commercial heavy van and medium duty truck manufactured by Mercedes-Benz between 1996 and 2013.

History

The Vario was launched in 1996 as a facelifted version of the Mercedes-Benz T2.

The bodyshell remained relatively unchanged throughout its 17-year production life. The Vario proved a popular base chassis for trucks, minibuses and mini-coaches. When new regulations required disabled access, a model with a wheelchair lift was made available.

The Vario was fitted with several types of Mercedes-Benz engines. Pre-2000 vehicles used a 5-cylinder OM602LA (2874 cm) and 4-cylinder OM904LA (4250 cm), turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine. From September 2000, Vario 618D/818D models were equipped with a 4.2-liter turbo diesel engine with intercooler and direct injection with an output of 136 or 150 hp and torque of 520 or 580 Nm, respectively. The most powerful was a 177 hp, 675Nm engine.

With the introduction of the Euro 4 emission standards, the Vario began to be equipped with OM904LA series BlueTec4 turbocharged and intercooled engine with working volume of 4250 cm and a power of 129, 156 or 177 hp. Set of new manual gearboxes, new automatic gearbox and some optional equipment was added to portfolio.

Two types of gearboxes were available, a 5-speed manual (later 6-speed) and on buses, an Allison AT 545 4-speed automatic (later an Allison LCT 1000 5-speed). Maximum payload was 4.4 tons with a load volume of 17.4 cubic meters. A 4x4 model was also available. All models had a suspension on parabolic leaf springs, all ventilated disc brakes and power steering.

On 27 September 2013, the last Vario rolled off the production line in Ludwigsfelde. Between 1996 and 2013, 90,743 units were manufactured. The Vario was succeeded in Daimler Trucks' model range by heavier versions of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and lighter versions of the Mercedes-Benz Atego.

Engines

Gallery

• O814D Vario minibus rear in Kraków, Poland in November 2010
• Western Greyhound Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Plymouth in September 2006
• St Ives Bus Company Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Cornwall in July 2013
• Southern Vectis O814D Vario minibus with rear wheelchair access in the UK in November 2011
• UPS Vario van in Germany in May 2005
• RheinEnergie 815D Vario Emergency Service Van in Cologne in July 2007
• 814D Vario Post Office Van in Halstead in January 2008
• 814D Vario Van with a Truck bed in the Netherlands in June 2012
• 512D Vario Emergency doctor van in Germany in July 2007
• Compass Travel Autobus Classique bodied Vario in Horsham in April 2009

References

Notes

1. Vario replaces the T2 Archived 21 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Commercial Motor 3 October 1996
2. Mercedes Vario offers variety Archived 21 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Commercial Motor 24 October 1996
3. Mercedes-Benz Vario Archived 24 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Truck Planet
4. Mercedes-Benz Vario Archived 21 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Commercial Motor 5 January 2006
5. "Vario 814DA 4x4 T he number of factory-built 7.5-tonne integral panel". Commercial Motor Archive. 9 November 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014.
6. "Well-earned retirement". MyVan. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
7. ^ DEPPE, PHILIPP (27 September 2013). "Letzter Vario rollt in Mercedes-Benz Werk Ludwigsfelde vom Band". Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog / Mercedes Benz, smart, Maybach, AMG (in German). Retrieved 8 April 2020.

Bibliography

• Röcke, Matthias (2008). Mercedes-Benz Transporter: Postwar to Present Day. Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 9783868520682.

External links

• Media related to Mercedes-Benz Vario at Wikimedia Commons
• Product Guide (in German) Mercedes-Benz

• Mercedes-Benz buses
• Mercedes-Benz trucks
• Police vehicles
• Vans
• Minibuses
• Vehicles discontinued in 2013
• 2000s cars
• 2010s cars
• Cars introduced in 1996