Mercedes-Benz V300d Special Edition Revealed for Mzansi
In the luxury MPV fold, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is the business-class express model that offers a rich experience at a hefty price.
It makes a solid case for itself as an MPV that resembles a business-class flight on wheels. The V-Class boasts the same refined and cutting-edge features as the S-Class saloon, the firm from Stuttgart's crown jewel.
Since its local arrival in 2015, it has set the bar so high that many manufacturers are still trying to catch up. And now, with the newly-revealed V300d Special Edition, Merc aims to raise it even further.
The V300d Special Edition is based on the standard model and is exclusively built for the SA market. It will only be sold in minimal numbers and features bespoke features to make it stand out from the range.
It's available in three exterior shades, including an exclusive Sodalite Blue Metallic hue. The colours are complemented by black trimmings around the car and a standard roof box from the AMG range.
With space for up to six passengers, the Special Edition model has some plush features, such as stylish leather-clad seating, automatic doors, ambient lighting, temperature-controlled cup holders, and a 3.2-litre refrigerated compartment. Mercedes-Benz has added the Burmester surround system and a range of safety features.
Nothing has changed underneath. It still employs the same 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel powerplant with 174 kW and 500 Nm of torque, which is more than capable for the job at hand. The engine is paired with the same 9G-Tronic automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels.
With an eye-wateringly high price tag of R2,190,000, the V300d Special Edition doesn't come cheap. Whether an AMG roof box, unique trimmings and a 'Special' nameplate justify the cost is debatable, but we know that it will be a challenging sell for Merc.
For the record, Mercedes-Benz has earmarked the reveal of a new V-Class model in the coming months, and this could be the last of its kind before the new one enters as a fully-electric EQV variant.