Mercedes-Benz Vito NHS Ambulance (37RF-100)

37RF-100 is a model of a Mercedes-Benz Vito (W447), pre-facelift, based on a (United Kingdom) National Health Service (NHS) Ambulance. It is very likely that the model is based on an individual real vehicle. The model comes with a separate piece: a black and yellow stretcher.

The third generation Vito entered production in 2014 and had a facelift in 2020. The Vito name is usually reserved for cargo variants, while passenger variants are named V-Class. In north America it is sold as the Mercedes-Benz Metris. The Vito can be equipped with more than a dozen of diesel engines, all with an inline 4 configuration and turbocharged (some with two-stage turbos), ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 liters, and producing between 87hp and 236hp. There is a single petrol engine available in some markets (inline 4, 2.0 liter, 211hp). There is also an electric version (EQV or eVito) producing around 201-203hp. The Vito comes in both front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or four wheel drive and is offered in 3 sizes: Compact, Long, and Extra Long.

The pre and post facelift Vitos have a very similar exterior aesthetic, with a small difference, the radiator grille. The pre-facelift has round holes while the post facelift is flat. Era Car seems to have modeled the post-facelift version because the radiator grille seems flat, unlike for example in 16RN-041. However, given the model has a UK licence plate we can run an MOT check to find some information. There we can confirm this is a 2017 Vito, and thus it is not a post facelift version. The MOT check also gives us more details, such as the precise model, 111CDI, which comes equipped with a 1.6 liter turbodiesel inline 4, producing 112 hp, made by Renault. When it comes to size, Era Car modeled the Long version. It is not the compact version since the distance between the rear wheel and the end of the rear bumper is bigger that between the front wheel and the start of the front bumper (it is not the case in the compact version). And it is not the Extra Long version either, because on that version the distance between the sliding door and the rear wheel is bigger than the size of a door handle, which is not the case on the Era Car and on the Long version.

The Era Car model is a replica of a NHS (public health system in the UK) ambulance. Although no photos of the 1:1 vehicle were found it likely exists given the model has a specific licence plate confirmed by the MOT check to correspond to a Mercedes Vito of this generation. The exterior design has the typical Battenburg pattern that is featured in emergency vehicles in the UK (and other countries). This checkered pattern was developed in the UK in the 1990's with the goal of increasing visibility and quick identification of emergency vehicles. The name Battenburg comes from a cake with the same name that features the same pattern. In the UK the green and yellow pattern is used in emergency medical services vehicles. In the back the pattern changes to yellow and red chevrons. Apart from this there are several 'Ambulance' markings as well as a curious "Keep 3 meters clear" in the back (curious in the sense of metric vs imperial units). An NHS reference is painted in the side windows The roof features a light bar. In addition the model has inserted headlights and tail lights, painted muffler and exhaust on the underside, detailed engine bay, tinted windows, black bumpers, and authentic 16 inch wheel covers (part number A44740001259705). Curiously, the wheels pictured on the model in front of the box are a different design. In the trunk a bench with the top painted in black can be found on the right side, as well as a black and yellow stretcher (separate piece).

The normal release of this number (37RN-099), is also a UK emergency vehicle, but instead it is a Police K-9 Unit. It has a Battenburg pattern in yellow and blue, comes with a dog and its transporter, and has a second row of seats.

In the table below you can see the dimensions of the model. Consider some margin of error, given how small the units are, and the difficulty of capturing accurate measurements without damaging the model.

 Length
 Width

## Gallery

### Model

Right SideFront SideLeft SideBack SideFront Right SideFront Left SideBack Right SideBack Left SideTopBottomWheelsDriver Side InteriorPassenger Side InteriorInterior SeatTrunkTrunk InteriorEngineStretcherStretcher UndersideStretcher in the TrunkModel and Separate Pieces
### Box

Box FrontBox BackBox SideBox EarBox TopBox BottomBox Insert
### Real Vehicle

From buildingbetterhealthcare.comFrom vicyoung.co.ukFrom vicyoung.co.ukFrom mercedes-benzaccessoires.nl
### With 37RN-099

Right SideFront SideLeft SideBack SideFront Right SideFront Left SideBack Left SideBack Right SideTopBottomEngineTrunkTrunk InteriorBox FrontBox Side