In the U.S., you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks minivans are cool. Hence the birth of the CUV. Sure luxury automakers have had an easier time challenging the lack-luster van stereotype abroad. One recent example is Mercedes-Benz and their Viano. But, they don't just want Europe markets to see vans in a new light; they want the entire world to share in the vision. Fueled by that desire, they developed a posh Viano spinoff called the Viano VISION DIAMOND concept.
That's not to say the Viano isn't sophisticated. Like all new Mercedes-Benz, it most certainly is. The Viano VISION DIAMOND concept just takes it a step further, bringing red-carpet status to the segment.
No, this Mercedes-Benz van is definitely not one you'd want to take the kiddies to and fro school in. While like most vans' it's all about spaciousness, it takes notions of comfort and spaciousness to all-new levels with champagne flutes that disappear into the body of the car with a push of the button; a champagne chiller; champagne rack with capacity to hold five bottles; rich leather seats that are heated, cooled and complete with a massage function; 40-inch flat screen; in-concert sound system, mood lighting and matching iPhone 4 or iPad 2. And to keep drivers connected to the Internet and conferences: W-LAN.
We won't deny, some of the features - specifically, we're thinking of the champagne flutes and champagne chiller… - sound like something Bond would use to woo his latest lady friend. And, just like Bond, the Mercedes-Benz Viano VISION DIAMOND concept has swagger. Only instead of keeping up appearances in a dapper suite, the new Mercedes-Benz concept features a gallery-inspired exterior paint job. Seemingly inspired by a modern artist you might find featured in a gallery in SoHo, it makes it hard to look away.
Curious to learn more? Stay tuned to the Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury blog. We expect Mercedes-Benz to share more in the way of performance specifications in the imminent future.
In the meantime, feel free to stop by 760 Boston Turnpike Road in Shrewsbury, MA and explore our current lineup of posh alternatives to dowdy, soccer-Mom vans: the new GLK-Class, M-Class, GL-Class, G-Class and R-Class.