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.

Mercedes-Benz Vario
815D Vario minibus in Viernheim, Germany in March 2006
Overview
Manufacturer
Production1996–2013
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassCommercial vehicle
Body style2-door truck
4-door truck
3-door van
4-door van
4-door minibus
LayoutFront engine, rear-wheel drive
Front engine, four-wheel drive
Powertrain
EngineMercedes-Benz OM602
Mercedes-Benz OM904
Transmission5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase3150-4800 mm
Width2200 mm
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz T2
SuccessorMercedes-Benz Sprinter
Mercedes-Benz Atego

History

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The Vario was launched in 1996 as a facelifted version of the Mercedes-Benz T2.[1][2]

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.[citation needed]

The Vario was fitted with several types of Mercedes-Benz engines. Pre-2000 vehicles used a 5-cylinder OM602LA (2874 cm3) and 4-cylinder OM904LA (4250 cm3), 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 cm3 and a power of 129, 156 or 177 hp.[3][4] 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.[5] 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.[6][7] Between 1996 and 2013, 90,743 units were manufactured.[7] 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

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Model Displacement
cc
Bore × stroke
mm
Engine code
Mercedes-Benz
Rated output
kW (hp)
at rpm
emission standards
Torque
Nm
at rpm
Prod. years Fuel mixture
5-cylinder In-line diesel engine (turbocharged and intercooled)
512D, 612D, 812D 2874 ø89 × 92.4 OM 602 DE LA 90 (122)
3800
Euro-2
280
2000-2300
1996–2001 Distributor injection pump
with EDC -
line -
nozzle holder
4-cylinder In-line diesel engine (turbocharged and intercooled)
810DT 4249 ø102 × 130 OM 904 LA 75 (102)
2200
Euro-2
1996–2001 Unit pump -
line -
nozzle
(UPS/PLD)
BlueTec4/5
613D, 813D
813DA
(4×4)
95 (129)
2200
Euro-4/Euro-5
500
1200–1600
2006-2013
614D, 814D
814DA
(4×4)
100 (136)
2200
Euro-2/Euro-3
520
1200–1600
1996–2006
615D, 815D
815DA
(4x4)
112 (152)
2200
Euro-2
580
1200–1600
1998–2001
110 (150)
2200
Euro-3
575
1200–1600
2001–2006
BlueTec4/5
616D, 816D
816DA
(4x4)
115 (156)
2200
Euro-4/Euro-5
610
1200–1600
2009-2013
618D, 818D
BlueTec4/5 (2006-2013)
618D, 818D
818DA
(4x4)
130 (177)
2200
Euro-3
Euro-4/Euro-5
675
1200–1600
2003–2013
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References

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Notes

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  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. ^ a b 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

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