Mercedes-Benz Vario

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.

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.

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  O814D Vario minibus rear in Kraków, Poland in November 2010
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  Western Greyhound Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Plymouth in September 2006
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  St Ives Bus Company Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Cornwall in July 2013
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  Southern Vectis O814D Vario minibus with rear wheelchair access in the UK in November 2011
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  UPS Vario van in Germany in May 2005
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  RheinEnergie 815D Vario Emergency Service Van in Cologne in July 2007
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  814D Vario Post Office Van in Halstead in January 2008
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  814D Vario Van with a Truck bed in the Netherlands in June 2012
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  512D Vario Emergency doctor van in Germany in July 2007
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  Compass Travel Autobus Classique bodied Vario in Horsham in April 2009

• Media related to Mercedes-Benz Vario at Wikimedia Commons
• Product Guide (in German) Mercedes-Benz