# Mercedes-Benz Vario

The Mercedes-Benz Vario (model designation BM667/668/670) is a full-size commercial heavy van and medium duty truck manufactured by Mercedes-Benz between 1996 and 2013.

## History

The Vario was launched in 1996 as a facelifted version of the Mercedes-Benz T2.
The bodyshell remained relatively unchanged throughout its 17-year production life. The Vario proved a popular base chassis for trucks, minibuses and mini-coaches. When new regulations required disabled access, a model with a wheelchair lift was made available.
The Vario was fitted with several types of Mercedes-Benz engines. Pre-2000 vehicles used a 5-cylinder OM602LA (2874 cm$^3$) and 4-cylinder OM904LA (4250 cm$^3$), turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine. From September 2000, Vario 618D/818D models were equipped with a 4.2-liter turbo diesel engine with intercooler and direct injection with an output of 136 or 150 hp and torque of 520 or 580 Nm, respectively. The most powerful was a 177 hp, 675Nm engine.
With the introduction of the Euro 4 emission standards, the Vario began to be equipped with OM904LA series BlueTec4 turbocharged and intercooled engine with working volume of 4250 cm$^3$ and a power of 129, 156 or 177 hp. Set of new manual gearboxes, new automatic gearbox and some optional equipment was added to portfolio.
Two types of gearboxes were available, a 5-speed manual (later 6-speed) and on buses, an Allison AT 545 4-speed automatic (later an Allison LCT 1000 5-speed). Maximum payload was 4.4 tons with a load volume of 17.4 cubic meters. A 4x4 model was also available. All models had a suspension on parabolic leaf springs, all ventilated disc brakes and power steering.
On 27 September 2013, the last Vario rolled off the production line in Ludwigsfelde. Between 1996 and 2013, 90,743 units were manufactured. The Vario was succeeded in Daimler Trucks' model range by heavier versions of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and lighter versions of the Mercedes-Benz Atego.

## Engines

| Model | Displacement cc | Bore × stroke mm | Engine code Mercedes-Benz | Rated output kW (hp) at rpm emission standards | Torque Nm at rpm | Prod. years | Fuel mixture |
| 5-cylinder In-line diesel engine (turbocharged and intercooled) ||||||||
| 512D, 612D, 812D | 2874 | ø89 × 92.4 | OM 602 DE LA | 90 (122) 3800 Euro-2 | 280 2000-2300 | 1996–2001 | Distributor injection pump with EDC - line - nozzle holder |
| 4-cylinder In-line diesel engine (turbocharged and intercooled) ||||||||
| 810DT | 4249 | ø102 × 130 | OM 904 LA | 75 (102) 2200 Euro-2 | | 1996–2001 | Unit pump - line - nozzle (UPS/PLD) |
| BlueTec4/5 613D, 813D 813DA (4×4) | 4249 | ø102 × 130 | OM 904 LA | 95 (129) 2200 Euro-4/Euro-5 | 500 1200–1600 | 2006-2013 | Unit pump - line - nozzle (UPS/PLD) |
| 614D, 814D 814DA (4×4) | 4249 | ø102 × 130 | OM 904 LA | 100 (136) 2200 Euro-2/Euro-3 | 520 1200–1600 | 1996–2006 | Unit pump - line - nozzle (UPS/PLD) |
| 615D, 815D 815DA (4x4) | 4249 | ø102 × 130 | OM 904 LA | 112 (152) 2200 Euro-2 | 580 1200–1600 | 1998–2001 | Unit pump - line - nozzle (UPS/PLD) |
| 615D, 815D 815DA (4x4) | 4249 | ø102 × 130 | OM 904 LA | 110 (150) 2200 Euro-3 | 575 1200–1600 | 2001–2006 | Unit pump - line - nozzle (UPS/PLD) |
| BlueTec4/5 616D, 816D 816DA (4x4) | 4249 | ø102 × 130 | OM 904 LA | 115 (156) 2200 Euro-4/Euro-5 | 610 1200–1600 | 2009-2013 | Unit pump - line - nozzle (UPS/PLD) |
| 618D, 818D BlueTec4/5 (2006-2013) 618D, 818D 818DA (4x4) | 4249 | ø102 × 130 | OM 904 LA | 130 (177) 2200 Euro-3 Euro-4/Euro-5 | 675 1200–1600 | 2003–2013 | Unit pump - line - nozzle (UPS/PLD) |

## Gallery

* O814D Vario minibus rear in Kraków, Poland in November 2010
* Western Greyhound Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Plymouth in September 2006
* St Ives Bus Company Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied O814 in Cornwall in July 2013
* Southern Vectis O814D Vario minibus with rear wheelchair access in the UK in November 2011
* UPS Vario van in Germany in May 2005
* RheinEnergie 815D Vario Emergency Service Van in Cologne in July 2007
* 814D Vario Post Office Van in Halstead in January 2008
* 814D Vario Van with a Truck bed in the Netherlands in June 2012
* 512D Vario Emergency doctor van in Germany in July 2007
* Compass Travel Autobus Classique bodied Vario in Horsham in April 2009