today I've been driving a merc viano (peoplecarrier) 2.2 diesel as part of my advanced driver training , and I have to say it has really impressed me! looking at it you wouldn't think much, but its possible to hussle this vehical down a-roads a fast as most hot hatches! (or maybe I'm just better at driving after 10 days of the course, nearly half way through......) it is not nearly as unweildy as it looks, has massive reserves of grip, and a good turn of speed, good brakes, good handling,good engine, and so easy to drive! Sooooo impressed. If I was after a people carrier (which i never intend to be) I would choose this. they even make a more powerful deisel (3 litre V6) but it costs, I think the one I was driving (long WB extras ect) was about £30k......... but very very impressive vehical, best driving vehical of its kind I have ever come accross

Library pic from google images

Merc's do make some very good handling vans.

You would be suprised how well a LWB Sprinter can cover ground cross country with the traction control turned off

Absolutely; the only way I could lose a Sprinter belonging to one of the local carrier firms (bearing in mind that you can't exceed the speed limit on the road in question [but a competant car and driver needn't slow much below it anywhere]) was to use my higher power - weight ratio to make an overtake that he couldn't follow!

I had a vito with the 3.0L V6 Turbo diesel in it. and standard it was 204 bhp. I had it mapped up to around 300 bhp and didn't it go well. Quicker than my 140pd thats for sure!

Nice vans - I really miss mine - shame Merc radios like to go on fire!!

Tom