Mercedes-Benz All Stars Experience - the star of the track
Typically, buying a new car involves going through a million flyers, reading tests and reliability reports, culminating in a short test drive. When shopping for a fleet and delivery vehicles, the purchase, especially if you don't get it right, can be a real headache. Luckily, Mercedes has recognized this and has prepared an exciting day for its customers with its hard-working products.
The Mercedes-Benz All Stars Experience has been prepared specifically for customers interested in having cars with a star on the hood in their fleet. In one busy day, you can see not only the carrying capacity of the car, but also check its behavior on a skid, maneuver between cones or even ... drive with other participants. First things first.
As with the very similar Porsche World Roadshow, we met at the Sobiesław Zasada Centrum near Poznań. The choice was not accidental - Sobeslav Zasada has been associated with the Mercedes brand for many years, and the center itself offers almost unlimited opportunities for testing cars. Although it was going to rain, that didn't stop us from admiring the cars we were supposed to drive, and their lineup consisted of Citan, Vito, Sprinter and the mighty Actros. But it was just a taste.
After a short briefing, the group I belonged to was assigned to participate in a module called "Service". After a quick overview of the offer, questions about the Econoline offer and several warranty programs, this was what everyone was waiting for - a trip to the track. The first car we had fun with was a hybrid version of the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter. What was Mitsubishi doing at the Mercedes event? Well, the Daimler AG concern owns 89,3% of the shares of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus, which produces vans for Asian markets.
However, we will omit the business issues and move on to the vehicle itself. An interesting fact is the use of a hybrid system, which is aimed not so much at reducing fuel consumption as at maintaining dynamics - although there may be a lot to be said about this. We move up to 7 km / h thanks to the electric motor, and the diesel unit is responsible for air conditioning, power steering and lighting. It was possible to move along the prepared maneuvering route only under power.
However, the Fuso did not end with the novelties - by the way, we had a chance to drive on the electric Smart. After implementing such a drive solution, this small car seems to be more and more a smart solution in a big city. Who is not convinced by 140 kilometers, a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour and the ability to fully charge the batteries in an hour? Exactly. However, not to forget about the "traditional" drive, we were able to ride passengers in the C63 AMG. Unforgettable impressions - the next day I think about the sale of internal organs. I need this car.
The next stop was a section called Vans. The Citan, Viano, Vito and Sprinter models were prepared here. The test of the first was based on emergency braking on a skid and overcoming a steep slalom. Impression? The Citan has arguably the best suspension in its class, making it surprisingly good in tight corners when used to haul cargo. The 1.5-liter diesel does not make it a speed demon, but it still surprises with its maneuverability. For larger models (Viano and Vito), in addition to the emergency braking section, access to the cutting unit is reserved. A huge plus for the instructors who allowed a second approach to this part not to check the behavior of the car, but to improve driving technique. The last car, a Sprinter, was used to test the ESP system under heavy load - the cargo hold was packed to capacity.
Of course, Mercedes is also huge trucks - Atego, Antos and Actros. People without a category C driver's license model Antos were allowed to drive independently on a narrow maneuverable track. In terms of maneuverability, despite its size, it is very similar to the Renault Traffic. The tests of the more famous Actros focused on the ESP system (which meant skidding in the square - an unforgettable experience!), And the driver's warning system about dangers on the road. Despite the fact that the name sounds trite, the test of this solution was to disperse the Actros with a trailer (the average weight of this set is 37 tons!) To 60 kilometers per hour and head for a head-on collision with a tractor. unit standing on the side of the road. Although the system detected the threat early enough, the instructors drove some people to heart attacks by "tossing" the Actros at the last moment. But being at this booth is not only crazy on the track - you could safely see the cab, engine and other elements of delivery vans.
For those who were interested, there was a point where one could admire the vehicles described as construction. What was there? New Arocs models (3 and 4 axle versions) and Actros tipper versions. A real playground for the big boys. Guests were able to test the new power steering system and differential lock systems on rough terrain.
The last stop - and at the same time the most anticipated by me - was a point hidden under the name "UNIMOG i 4×4". Before we move on to the legendary commercial vehicles, it is worth paying attention to other vehicles. Complementing the Vito with all-wheel drive, Oberaigner-modified Sprinter models have been prepared - including the company's latest off-road approach - a three-axle delivery truck with five differential locks capable of hauling up to 4 tons of cargo.
There is no denying that this is an amazing car, but it was eclipsed by the following cars - the legendary Unimogs. We, of course, could not have ridden them on our own, but the skill of the instructors and the terrain they had to drive through leaves no doubt - Unimog fully deserves respect. The only car not on the track was the Unimog Zetros. This was due to his weight - if he entered the territory for "ordinary cars", he would level everything to the ground. Well, if, like the Bundeswehr, you need something better than the "popular" Unimog, Zetros is for you!
The Mercedes-Benz All Stars Experience is a great way for customers to experience the products offered by this German company. An exciting day, excellent organization and instructors willing to share their knowledge are the perfect recipe for success. It remains to be hoped that there will be more such events, and other manufacturers will notice the need for this method of car delivery.
