Mercedes-Benz Vario

History

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

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. 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. 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. Between 1996 and 2013, 90,743 units were manufactured.

Engines

Gallery

File:Mercedes-Benz Vario, PKS Tarnobrzeg - rear.jpg|O814D Vario minibus rear in Kraków, Poland in November 2010 File:Western Greyhound 564.jpg|Western Greyhound Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Plymouth in September 2006 File:St Ives Bus Company bus (REZ 8375, ex-P703 LCF), St Ives, Cornwall, 29 July 2013.jpg|St Ives Bus Company Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Cornwall in July 2013 File:Southern Vectis 5869 KE06 EMX rear.JPG|Southern Vectis O814D Vario minibus with rear wheelchair access in the UK in November 2011 File:UPS Truck.jpg|UPS Vario van in Germany in May 2005 File:Entstoerfahrzeug 07-07-01.jpg|RheinEnergie 815D Vario Emergency Service Van in Cologne in July 2007 File:Post Office Mercedes-Benz Armoured Van.jpg|814D Vario Post Office Van in Halstead in January 2008 File:Mercedes-Benz 814 DA.jpg|814D Vario Van with a Truck bed in the Netherlands in June 2012 File:Neugeborenen Notarzt.jpg|512D Vario Emergency doctor van in Germany in July 2007 File:Compass Bus R81 EDW.JPG|Compass Travel Autobus Classique bodied Vario in Horsham in April 2009 File:Mercedes-Vario-815D-Koffer-Lkw.jpg|815D Vario van truck in March 2008 File:Mercedes Benz Vario 814D en Tjumeno 02.jpg|814D Vario truck in May 2021

References

Notes

Bibliography

References

1. [http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/3rd-october-1996/14/vario-replaces-the-12 Vario replaces the T2] {{webarchive. link. (21 December 2014 ''[[Commercial Motor]]'' 3 October 1996)
2. [http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/24th-october-1996/20/mercedes-vario-offers-variety Mercedes Vario offers variety] {{webarchive. link. (21 December 2014 ''Commercial Motor'' 24 October 1996)
3. link. (24 March 2014 Truck Planet)
4. [http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/5th-january-2006/30/mercedes-benz-vario Mercedes-Benz Vario] {{webarchive. link. (21 December 2014 ''Commercial Motor'' 5 January 2006)
5. (9 November 2006). "Vario 814DA 4x4 T he number of factory-built 7.5-tonne integral panel".
6. (15 October 2013). "Well-earned retirement".
7. (27 September 2013). "Letzter Vario rollt in Mercedes-Benz Werk Ludwigsfelde vom Band".