Mercedes V-Class V300d now available in South Africa
It seems that Mercedes is upgrading the V-Class, as if traveling in the luxury V250d, was not enough of a first-class experience. With the introduction of the V300d, Mercedes-Benz hopes to take the MPV segment to even greater heights in terms of power. The V300d will be offered in three variants, ranging from the Avantgarde, Avantgarde AMG Line, and Exclusive.
The V300d is offering more power, as it’s fitted with a four-cylinder OM 654 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine which produces 176kW and 500Nm of torque. It reaches a top speed of 220km/h and goes from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. It comes equipped with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, a first for the V-Class range, and will come standard for all V300d variants.
The same exceptional exterior finish seen with the AVANTGARDE and AMG line is carried over into the V300d. The EXCLUSIVE line will come standard with premium customization options such as the panoramic sunroof, rear climatized seats and a centre console with a built-in drink’s cooler. The V300d also comes with an exclusive Night Package, which is available in a combination with the AMG line or without. All trim elements will be adjusted appropriately and will include a black exterior mirror in obsidian black, and a black anodized beltline trim as an AMG front bumper. The V300d comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, either AMG or black AMG or an available 10 spoke light alloy as standard.
In terms of design for the interior, the V300d brings the same level of sophistication, its customers have become accustomed too. It comes standard with individual adjustable Black Leather seats, which can also be changed to Tartufo Brown Leather, or Silk Beige Leather at no extra cost. The V300d seats up to 7 people and can be customized to an 8-seater, or a lower 6-seater. All V300d models will feature MBUX, this system will include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Mercedes-Benz hard-disk navigation.
As for safety, some highlights include the Driver Assist package that features PRE-SAFE, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Assist, and Active Brake Assist. Besides the standard Driver and Co-Driver airbags, there will be Thorax Airbags for the driver and co-driver as well as front window airbags from pillar A-B which come standard. Additional Window airbags that extend from the A-D pillar can be ordered as an option.
Pricing
V300d Exclusive - R1 645 880
V300d Avantgarde AMG Line - R1 515 183
V300d - R1 440 203
Also worth a look: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Celebrates 140 Years with an Epic Glob and the Mercedes-Benz Gla.
FAQ
Q: What does the Mercedes V-Class V300d cost in South Africa?
The Mercedes V-Class V300d starts from around R1,450,000 for the Avantgarde variant, with the AMG Line pushing closer to R1,600,000 and the fully-loaded Exclusive touching R1,800,000 territory.
Q: Is the Mercedes V-Class V300d worth buying over the V250d?
If you need the extra grunt for highway overtaking and don't mind paying roughly R200,000 more, the V300d's 176kW and 500Nm make it significantly more capable than the V250d's 140kW output.
Q: How fast is the Mercedes V-Class V300d compared to other luxury MPVs?
The V300d hits 100kph in 7.9 seconds and tops out at 220kph, making it one of the quickest seven-seater luxury vans you can buy in South Africa.
Q: What are the main differences between V300d Avantgarde, AMG Line and Exclusive variants?
The Avantgarde is the base model, AMG Line adds sporty styling and 19-inch wheels, while the Exclusive throws in a panoramic sunroof, climatised rear seats and a centre console drinks cooler for the full luxury experience.
Q: Should I buy the Mercedes V300d or wait for a facelift?
The V300d is essentially the facelift with its new 9G-TRONIC gearbox and updated MBUX system, so if you need a premium people mover now, there's no point waiting.
Should You Buy It?
The Mercedes V-Class V300d is absolutely worth buying if you regularly transport six to eight people in comfort and have R1,450,000 to spend on luxury motoring. The 176kW turbodiesel engine finally gives this premium people mover the performance to match its price tag, while the new 9G-TRONIC gearbox makes highway cruising effortless. However, if you're budget-conscious and don't need the extra power, the V250d still offers 90% of the luxury at a significantly lower price point. The V300d Exclusive at around R1,800,000 represents the pinnacle of MPV luxury in South Africa, complete with cooled rear seats and a drinks cooler that'll keep your Castle Lites properly chilled on those weekend getaways to the coast.
