Cargo versions have one sliding door on the passenger side, while passenger versions get dual-sliding doors with power sliders as an option. The Metris is tow-rated at 4,960 pounds (5,000 pounds on long-wheelbase versions). Unlike its smaller, front-drive rivals, the Metris’ rugged construction and rear-drive platform allow it to tow up to 5,000 pounds and deliver payloads up to 2,500 pounds. Through the Master Solutions program, the Metris’ cargo bay can be customized to fit the exact needs of its owner, offering everything from rack solutions to storage systems, toolboxes to custom creations. The additions can even be financed as part of the vehicle loan. Owners can even convert the entire rear-cargo area into a massive refrigeration unit. Both Lewis and Heikki did a good job, even if Lewis unfortunately lost more time in the first sector than he is now behind the pole time. Now, each person on the trip has an average of two devices, he said, which is why the Weekender has extra USB ports built in and the second battery to provide more power. Inside, there are two captain's chairs that can rotate 180 degrees, and two more seats that can fold flat for more sleeping area.
All Metris vans are powered by their rear wheels; sadly, all-wheel drive is not an option. Sitner said that five or so years ago, people who were renting one of his 20 or so camper vans wanted to charge up maybe one or two devices total. Peace Vans president Harley Sitner told Car and Driver. Safety is a primary concern, with systems to aid with crosswinds and driver drowsiness, plus a bevy of airbags. On the passenger models, 3-row seating offers accommodations for up to eight passengers, with a full set of side-curtain airbags protecting all three rows. ’t on the menu, but you can get body-colored bumpers, black Leatherette seating material, heated front seats, a rearview camera, cruise control, and active safety systems like blind-spot monitoring, collision-prevention assist and lane-keeping assist. Both seating types are available in a wide range of attractive upholstery designs from the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach Collection.
Automatic climate control and idle-stop are on the options list. Utility roof racks are also available. The roof pops out at a forward-facing angle, and sports three windows and a spring-bed area big enough for two people. So out of curiosity, I cleaned up the debris to reveal the following. The first 100 customers will get their Weekender with a free National Parks Pass attached, which means there will be no excuses to not get out into the wild as soon as possible. Test drives rarely indicate how well a car will perform because you're limited by time and conditions. It's not an easy task to come up with complaints about a car like the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe. If you plan on spending some serious time with the Weekender (like a whole race weekend at Sebring or Watkins Glen, for example), you can option things like integrated solar panels, an eight-foot roll-out awning, bug screens for the hatch and sliding door areas, roof racks, and a pull-out rear kitchen setup.
It’s like Airbnb for anything with wheels. It’s a stout 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder good for 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Weekender gets the same 2.0-liter direct-injection inline-four as every other Metris, sending 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. While it’s no diesel, we found this engine and its 7-speed automatic both efficient and capable. The available Becker navigation system is on the basic side; it’s not the advanced system you’ll find in Benz passenger cars. It’s utilitarian, of course, with base models coming with black bumpers. The base vehicle features 7G Tronic, 360 camera package, LED performance headlights, electric side door, 10″ Multimedia and navigation with voice control, electric handbrake, heated swivel comfort seats and finished in Obsidian Black metallic paint. This impressive high-decker touring coach seats 60 passengers. In the cargo area there’s a wood floor with six D-rings for securing cargo, or five additional seats for passenger models.
