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TEXT BEN CHIA AND JONATHAN TAN PHOTOS AARON HIA
ENGINE 2,143cc 4-cylinder
turbo-diesel
POWER 190bhp
TORQUE 440Nm
0-100KM/H 9.1secs
TOP SPEED 206km/h
TRANSMISSION 7-speed automaticAT A GL ANCE
MERCEDES BENZ V-CLASSJust as well then that I suppose most
drivers of such vehicles don’t bother
with car parks much, given that they
are mostly used for ferrying people
up and down, usually picking up and
dropping off at pick up points. That’s
not to say that the V-Class can’t be used
as a normal car for the daily drive. It’s
just that there are considerations to
bear in mind. But focus on the positives
and mechanicals such as that frugal
yet torquey diesel engine, swishy and
comfortable interior and decent ride (of
course), and the V-Class makes a case
for your ownership. This car is made for
a purpose, and one that it serves well.
JT I’ve had rides in other luxury
MPVs, namely the Nissan Elgrand and
Toyota Alphard. And while those cars
came equipped with Ottoman seats
similar to what you get on long-haul
business-class flights, they didn’t quite
have the build quality that was as sturdy
as what I experienced in the V-Class.
Expectedly in a car that one considers
branded, you’d expect a degree of
comfort that’s above average. I won’t
quite know what it feels like for the driver,
but as passenger, I had no complaints.
It could be the fact that I was lulled
deep into thought, mulling over the next
article on my to-do list, or weighing up
my options for dinner. I did however
remember clearly how settling the
atmosphere was in the passenger seat.
In addition to being able to stretch out
my arms and legs, shift myself into the
third row to retrieve stuff, I also could
enjoy the refined quality of the interior
finishing, with lacquered side panels
by the door, digital climate control in
the back and surround sound acoustics
piped from Burmester speakers.
Honestly, which other MPV, luxury
or not, would let you move in between
rows to grab your stuff. Yes, I’m on
this ride for ‘business’, but who’s
to say that it won’t be useful for
families with young kids who need
that extra space to move about?
BC I actually quite like the idea
of large MPVs like these, with their54 // March 2016