Bus Battle: Mercedes’ V 300 d vs. Ford Tourneo vs. VW Caravelle
Power & Performance
The headline change in the Mercedes is its powerful and efficient all-new engine and transmission. The new two-liter four-cylinder OM 654 turbodiesel boosts power to 236 hp complimented by 516 lb ft of torque with an additional 20 lb-ft overboost to boot. Add Merc’s tried and trusted 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. With Dynamic Select to seamlessly switch between comfort and sport drive programs and to shift gears with steering wheel paddles.
The Ford is however no slouch, as our data attests. Not that any of these cars will ever be run on a drag strip. But Tourneo is certainly outgunned by both of its more powerful rivals here. Of which the Mercedes is the drag king. But oddly quite a bit slower than Benz actually claims. The Ford however strikes back by being the most frugal, which could very well be a major feather in its cap when we wrap this all up.
All in all, the Ford impresses in the strangest ways. It may lack some of the bells and whistles of its rivals, but it has great goodie storage. It also lacks a second armrest on outer sides of the seats, and you need to push and pull those doors open and shut. And while it has decent visibility, its compromised by claustrophobically odd front quarter windows.
Pricing Changes Everything
The Volkswagen brings a huge step in tech. Both in its engagement and chassis. Even though some of that may be a bit over the top and unrefined in this application. And oh, yes — it lacks AM radio and that’s where our favorite station is! But it’s powerful and smooth, but not as smooth as the Merc and can be jerky at low speeds. But it performs very well and packs a hell of a lot of tech and luxury. And class too.
And then there’s the Mercedes-Benz. Albeit outdated, which is a failing of all three of these vehicles by the way. But it’s an excellent all-round package and certainly fits the bill as the most luxurious bus for us. And at this point, it seemed the Benz was trotting to an easy victory in this here shindig…
But then we looked at the prices. And everything changed.
Sure, the Benz is the classiest and coolest bus here. And no doubt it’s worthy of a premium over the VW. And the Volkswagen is welcome to a price difference over the Ford. But does the Ford really justify a fifty percent discount over the Volkswagen? Never mind over seventy grand to the Merc?
No, we don’t think so either…
Which leaves us to conclude that the motocross bus has to be the bus for us. Not that it comes close to its rivals in so many aspects. But when you consider value for money, no matter how much better the others are, they surely are not that much better? The Ford wins.
Images: Giordano Lupini
SHOOTOUT: Ford Tourneo Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen Caravelle
Model 2.0SiT Custom V300d 2.0BiTDI 195
SWB Limited Exclusive Highline 4Motion
Output: 182hp 306lb ft 236hp 516lb ft 195 hp 331 lb ft
Capacity: 2-litre I4 2-litre I4 2-litre I4
Engine: Turbodiesel Turbodiesel Turbodiesel
Gearbox: 6-speed 9-speed 7-speed
Automatic Automatic DC Automatic
Drive: Front Rear All
ROAD TESTED:
0-40 mph: 5.20 sec 4.11 sec 4.16 sec
0-60 mph: 11.77 sec 9.05 sec 9.59 sec
0-75 mph 16.91 sec 12.37 sec 13.73 sec
0-100 mph: 22.42 sec 26.49 sec
¼-mile: 18.1 sec 14.4 sec 16.8 sec
Terminal speed: 78 mph 86 mph 83 mph
50-75 mph: 8.95 sec 6.08 sec 7.29 sec
75-100 mph: 10.04 sec 12.98 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 98 mph 135 mph 123 mph
Fuel: 31.5 mpg 26.7 mpg 28.6 mpg
CO2: 174 g/km 230 g/km 214 g/km
PRICE (in SA): $54,827 $124,930 $80,972
*Based on European market models, tested in South Africa