|
 I was recently lucky enough to
test-drive the new Vito taxi whilst waiting for my TX4 to be
serviced at KPM. First impressions of the taxi were good;
stylish, modern and well built - something you would expect from
Mercedes. The driver’s compartment was spacious with (at last) a
decent drivers seat as standard. It also had a good driving
position and drove very well.
The passenger compartment was larger than expected with 6 seats and
full aircon as standard. I don't think we have too much to
worry about regarding the engine and gearbox, as they have been
in the Vito vans for quite sometime now.
As a London taxi, I think it still needs adjustments. I noticed a
number of things that could lead to drivers having major
headaches with the Vito. With standard aircon and 6 seats,
already high diesel costs could become even higher. With no real
opening rear windows, the aircon will be on almost 24/7 and an
extra person on board may tip the balance regarding those fuel
costs - unless the ‘extras’ are reintroduced. And re those
non-opening windows, the Friday night vomit will end up on the
carpet and not down the outside of the door!
The electric steps are too low and will hit speed humps, although
since my test drive I’ve been told by the sales team at KPM that
the steps are to be raised by 2 inches.
The turning circle matches the TX by pressing a button to engage it
(you must be doing under 5 mph). You don't need to turn it
off, but it did make an awful groaning / rubbing noise that the
salesman said was the hydraulics. The noise did put me off
slightly.
The brochure says it takes around 5 seconds for the electric
sliding doors to open / close in one, but I timed it closer to
10 seconds. I think this is too long. Ten seconds of holding up
traffic for someone to get in can seem |
Motoring ‘experts’ don’t work in
taxis, so Call Sign has used a real driver to look at it!
A DAC DRIVER REVIEWS THE MERCEDES
VITO…
The new Mercedes Vito |
like a lifetime, especially when they all start hooting! The
nearside
sliding door seemed sticky and didn't want to work at all that
day via a button inside the passenger compartment. Perhaps it
needed
greasing? I'm unconvinced that
an electric sliding door will cope with the constant use of a
nearside London taxi door.
There is no spare wheel. According to the salesman you are given a
tin of tyre weld as a get-home measure. What if you have a
passenger on board? Don't tyre manufacturers advise you not to
use this stuff and if you do, to replace the tyre immediately
afterwards?
The ceiling yellow grab handles have been replaced by standard grey
small handles. With that in mind, I think TaxiCard users and the
disabled in general may struggle to get in and out.
There's also no boot as such, just a space behind the rear seats
where the wheelchair ramp is sited – the Merc doesn’t have LTI’s
pullout ramp. I like to carry an emergency breakdown kit - spare
coat, hat, hi viz vest and brolly in case I breakdown on a
motorway. I also carry some spares, a first aid kit and booster
box / jump leads and small trolley jack, but in the Vito these
would have to go in with the passenger. Also I might be wrong on
this, but the gross weight is 2770kg, if so it is too heavy for
Albert Bridge?
The taxi ‘flash’ along the side is not compulsory (according to KPM)
but I think perhaps they should be. A side-on view shows this
taxi and a private hire car of |
similar design looking identical and
confusion will start. I also think it should be produced in just
one
colour, or at least a disguising
feature other than just the For Hire sign.
I think it will take off with some airport and radio drivers.
There’s masses of luggage space and those who go up and down the
M4 all day will enjoy driving the Vito with its comfort and
stylish looks. It looks professional and that could help us win
back some of the lost work that went to private hire. As for
non-radio, everyday town / cash drivers, I think the TX taxi is
still the one. Any vehicle or any body can be a taxi
or taxi driver, but to do it in London? Well that's different
and I think Mercedes need to fine-tune the Vito a bit more.
Also, our fitting bay at Roman Way told me they were still
having problems with the Merc cab.
What I hope doesn’t happen is that the Vito is so popular in 5
years, that we have a reverse situation where LTI are no longer
the main suppliers and the monopoly goes to Mercedes.
I have already noticed that the Vito 8 seat Traveliner taxi from
another dealer, albeit non-PCO approved, costs much less than
KPM’s 35K Vito, whilst in the last issue of TAXI, they quoted
Steve Bridge, Mercedes-Benz UK Van - yes VAN - Sales and
Marketing director! So are we going from a purpose built taxi to
a van?
At least for now, we have an alternative and that can only be good
for the trade…
Michael Beevor (N76) |
