Yes, it is expensive, I mean you can get a nice little or similarly sized Peugeot van for less than half the price of a Mercedes V Class. To remind you, the V Class starts at £48k. The Marco Polo version, which is clever marketing bait-and-switch for camper van, starts at £52k. So who buys a Mercedes V Class? Clever drug dealers and celebrities. The clever drug dealers want something less ostentatious than a Bentley sitting outside their tax-funded home. The celebrities don’t want to be driven around in an ostentatious Bentayga. A vehicle like the V Class allows high-profile celebrities to be driven around while smoking a joint in total privacy. So what do these two target markets get for their money?
The V 220 d and V 300 d use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with an output of 163 hp and 380 Nm or 236 hp and 500 Nm respectively. A 9G-TRONIC automatic gearbox comes as standard across the range.
Sport models come as standard with Active Parking Assist with a reversing camera; mirror package including electrically folding mirrors; 18-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels; Active Brake Assist; electric sliding doors; heated comfort front seats including armrests; privacy glass; luxury centre console with retractable cover, two cup holders, 12 V socket and multimedia box; and panoramic glass sunroof (V-Class long only).
AMG Line models add 19-inch seven-twin-spoke alloy wheels; AMG bodystyling; diamond radiator grille; metallic paint; and carbon-look trim.
The Driving Assistance package can be added to the V-Class and Marco Polo for £1,770, and includes Distance Pilot DISTRONIC; Blind Spot Assist; Lane Keeping Assist; Pre-Safe Anticipatory Safety System.
The Marco Polo Horizon campervan starts at £52,405 – £56,595 (RRP incl. VAT) for the V 220 d and V 300 d – while the fully-equipped Marco Polo is priced from £57,550 (RRP incl. VAT) for the V 220 d and £61,740 for the V 300 d.
The Sport Marco Polo Horizon comes as standard with manual pop-up roof with a two-seater bed; THERMATIC three-zone automatic climate control; three-seater luxury couch with bed extension; EASY-PACK tailgate; swivelling heated comfort driver and front passenger seats including armrests; spilt tailgate; and tinted rear windows.
The AMG Line Marco Polo Horizon adds AMG spoiler lip on the bumper; sports suspension; AMG bodystyling; chrome bumper strip on rear bumper; front bumper with chrome trim elements and chrome applications; and carbon-look dash, door and side trims.
The AMG Line Marco Polo adds AMG sports pedals; 19-inch seven-twin-spoke alloy wheels; AMG bodystyling; AMG spoiler lip on tailgate; metallic paint; sports suspension; and chrome bumper strip on rear bumper.
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