Proud RAC patrol Ben Wilson has won the keys to the first right-hand drive New Vito to roll off the Mercedes-Benz production line. The 37-year-old from Manchester is now supporting RAC members in his state-of-the-art van after being crowned Patrol Ambassador of the Year by the leading motorists’ organisation.
The RAC has been a Vito operator since 2005 as this mid-sized Mercedes-Benz is ideally suited to work in urban areas thanks to its rear-wheel drive, which provides the all-important traction needed for towing. It also has a roof height that allows it to access the lowest of city centre and airport multi-storey car parks.
A runner-up in last year’s Patrol Ambassador of the Year competition, Ben saw off the challenge of nearly 1,500 colleagues from all over the UK to take the top prize this time around. The decision is based on a host of criteria including productivity and roadside ‘fix’ rates, and customer satisfaction.
RAC CEO Chris Woodhouse presented Ben with the keys at the firm’s headquarters in Walsall, West Midlands. He said: “Our most valuable asset is the brand we’ve built over almost 120 years, based on the quality of our service. Ben Wilson represents the pinnacle of what that’s all about. He always goes the extra mile in doing what’s right not only for the customer, but for the business too.”
Ben, who joined the RAC in 2001, said: “I have a massive sense of pride and achievement in knowing that my efforts have been recognised by the business in this way. The New Vito is stunning – I can’t wait to get out there and start working in it.”
Eye-catching in its familiar, bright orange livery, Ben’s New Vito 116 Long also bears the coveted, personalised registration plate, P1 RAC. The vehicle is powered by an advanced, 163 hp Euro 6 BlueTEC engine – the first in its class to meet the latest emissions standard – and drives through an optional 7G-Tronic Plus gearbox, unique in this sector in being an automatic transmission with torque converter and seven gears.
To maximise economy the 3.2-tonne gvw vehicle is also equipped, like all rear-wheel drive New Vito models, with BlueEFFICIENCY features including an alternator management system that allows the battery to charge during coasting or braking, fuel-efficient tyres and the ECO start/stop function.
The vehicle has also been racked out by Bri-Stor systems to carry a full inventory of 500 tools and parts that each RAC patrol carries, as well as fuel and a special folding trailer for cars that require towing. The trailer is stored just inside the roof-hinged tailgate and can be winched in and out in minutes. The roof-mounted flashing lightbar at the rear of the vehicle, meanwhile, can also be folded down when the patrol needs to negotiate a particularly low barrier or low-ceilinged car park.
Prior to the model’s UK launch at April’s Commercial Vehicle Show, RAC Fleet Manager Tim Hartles and Fleet Engineer David Paisley visited the Mercedes-Benz factory in Vitoria, Spain, to drive some of the first New Vito examples.
They are currently in talks with Mercedes-Benz to replace 42 Vito vehicles. These will be delivered next year by Dealer Midlands Truck & Van and, in a new departure for the RAC, like Ben Wilson’s van will all be equipped with automatic transmissions.
Tim Hartles said: “We want to make the working environment as easy and comfortable as possible for our patrols, and I have every confidence that the auto ’box will prove very popular.
“Vehicle uptime is crucial and over the 10 years since we commissioned our first Vito vans they have proved exceptionally reliable, causing us very few problems. This has contributed to the vehicle’s highly competitive cost of operation, and now we’re looking forward to making further savings thanks to the New Vito’s increased fuel efficiency.”
David Paisley added: “This will be our third incarnation of the Vito, and it just keeps getting better. The New Vito’s driving experience is best-in-class without a doubt.”
New Vito comes in three lengths and at three gross weights, and is also available as a crew van or passenger-carrying Tourer. Uniquely in the mid-sized van segment, customers can choose from variants with front- and rear-wheel wheel drive configurations. As well as raising the bar in terms of performance, efficiency and all-round quality, it sets new standards for safety – standard equipment includes Adaptive ESP®, Adaptive Brake Lights, Crosswind Assist, driver and co-driver airbags, Hill-Start Assist, daytime running lights, Rescue Assist QR codes and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
