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Mercedes-Benz rolls in to Beijing in tricked-out Viano Vision Diamond

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Mercedes-Benz, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury

Limousines? That's so last millennium. These days the pampered and rich in the know get chauffeured around in the back of pimped-out vans. Sure, they may look utilitarian on the outside, but inside, they're as luxe as a private jet. Mercedes-Benz has been at the forefront of the scene with its much-modified Sprinter vans, but that's not the only big box in its portfolio. And to drive that point home, the German automaker has just rolled in to Beijing with this tricked-out Viano.

Called the Viano Vision Diamond, the custom Benz wagon has a two-tone paint job that only hints at the Maybach-grade cabin that awaits inside. The windows (including the partition inside) have the same Magic Sky Control tinting technology as the roof on the new SL, the cabin is done up in Nappa leather (black for the chauffeur, white for the passengers), and the rear features reclining, temperature-controlled massage chairs, a champagne cooler with flutes, lighting, 40-inch flat screen and Bang & Olufsen sound system (all controlled by a specially-designed iOS app), wireless internet and diamond trim.

Drive us to the airport in one of these and we'd be inclined to just stay in the back, lapping up the luxury of it all. Instead, we'll just admire from afar in the high-res image gallery and press release after the jump.

Mercedes-Benz rolls in to Beijing in tricked-out Viano Vision Diamond originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz co-opts car keys for clever interactive subway ads

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

It's quite apparent that technology, in addition to helping us avoid advertising (thank you, DVR), has simultaneously enabled much more of it, and in many more places. And when used properly, technology has made some ads a lot more interesting.

Mercedes-Benz constructed an interactive ad for its Viano minivan in Berlin's Friedrichstrasse subway station. To promote the chasmic space inside the people-hauler, the ad allowed riders waiting for trains to open the door of a virtual Viano using their own car keys, then watch what kinds of things climbed out and how many of them there were. Follow the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz co-opts car keys for clever interactive subway ads

Mercedes-Benz co-opts car keys for clever interactive subway ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Pearl concept van sets sail for Frankfurt

Noah Joseph — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Minivan/Van, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

There was a time when "land yacht" was not a nice thing to say about a ~~Buick Riviera~~ car, but these days it seems de rigueur. Range Rover has brought in naval architects to take on their sport-ute, Rolls-Royce uses teak decking on its Phantom DHC, Audi's gone out to see with the Q7 Coastline concept, even Volvo has given its wagons the Ocean Race theme. Now Mercedes-Benz is following the same lead with its latest show car, er...van.

Benz has taken one of its Viano vans (a model not available on these shores) and turned it into the Vision Pearl concept. Dubbed a "yacht on four wheels," the Viano Vision Pearl is decked out in a unique matte pebble-grey paint job, but it's the interior treatment that sets it apart: White and grey leather, wood floor, brushed aluminum trim, auto-tinting windows, on-board wi-fi and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

All-in-all, it brings us back to the Nautica edition Mercury Villager and the Plymouth Voyager when it had that little sailboat badge on the nose we knew as kids, but then maybe there's a reason both those marques went under. One way or another, the Viano Pearl Vision will come to port at the Frankfurt Motor Show come September, but you can check it out now with the pair of high-res images below and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Pearl concept van sets sail for Frankfurt

Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Pearl concept van sets sail for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz celebrates 125th anniversary with special edition Viano

Noah Joseph — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde Edition 125 - Click above for high-res images

Founded way back in 1886, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. And with a portfolio full of enticing products, the German automaker has plenty to choose from to turn into a commemorative special edition - the SLS AMG, C63 AMG or even the formidable G-Wagen, for example. So which did Mercedes go with? The Viano.

The special Avantgarde edition of the Silver Star van sold overseas gets a load of chrome trim to compliment the black or silver paint, plus 19-inch wheels and an interior decked out with six individual bucket seats (upholstered in either Lugano leather or Twin Dinamica microfiber).

Two V6 engines are available in the two-ton special edition Benz van: a 3.5-liter unit burning gasoline and churning out 258 horsepower, or a 3.0-liter diesel with 224-hp that will sprint to 60 miles per hour in 9.1 seconds. Read all about the surprising special edition after the break.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde Edition 125

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz celebrates 125th anniversary with special edition Viano

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 125th anniversary with special edition Viano originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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