Mercedes-Benz V-Class Van · Vito
W638
Mid-size van — the Vito that built a segment.
- Production
- 1996–2003
- Built
- 33,188
- Body
- Van / commercial
- Chassis
- W638
The W638 was the first-generation Vito — the van that introduced Mercedes-Benz's modern mid-size commercial and passenger platform in the mid-1990s, and quietly established the V-Class name alongside it.
Available as a panel van, combi, or passenger V-Class with petrol and diesel engines from four- and five-cylinder families, the W638 used front-wheel drive in most configurations and offered a level of refinement unusual in the commercial segment. It was the workhorse that also served as family transport when fitted with windows and seats.
Built from 1996 to 2003, the W638 carried Mercedes-Benz into the modern MPV and mid-size van era. It was replaced by the W639, which refined the formula further.
Every model.
8 model designations across 1996–2003 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W638.
| Model | Lata modelowe | Zbudowano | Podwozie | Silnik | Skrzynia biegów | Razem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V 200 CDI | 1999–2003 | 01.1999–06.2003 | 638.294 | 611.980 | uwzględnione powyżej | |
| V 220 CDI | 1999–2003 | 01.1999–07.2003 | 638.294 | 611.980 | uwzględnione powyżej | |
| V 230 Turbodiesel | 1997–1998 | 08.1996–02.1999 | 638.274 | 601.970 | 15,025 | |
| V 200 | 1997–1998 | 07.1996–01.1999 | 638.214 | 111.948 | 330 | |
| V 200 | 1999–2003 | 01.1999–06.2003 | 638.294 | 111.950 | uwzględnione powyżej | |
| V 230 | 1997–1998 | 08.1996–02.1999 | 638.234 | 111.978 | 15,297 | |
| V 230 | 1999–2003 | 01.1999–06.2003 | 638.294 | 111.980 | uwzględnione powyżej | |
| V 280 | 1997–1998 | 07.1997–01.1999 | 638.244 | 104.900 | 2,536 | |
| V 280 | 1999–2002 | 01.1999–07.2002 | 638.294 | 104.900 | uwzględnione powyżej |
* Opublikowana liczba produkcji obejmuje każdą serię tego modelu; źródło nie rozbija jej dalej.
Year by year.
From the first front-drive V-Class to the CDI facelift — the changes that identify and materially improve a W638.
- 1996
- The V-Class entered production at Vitoria as Mercedes-Benz’s passenger-car counterpart to the Vito, initially with V 230 petrol and V 230 Turbodiesel power.
- The Marco Polo camper joined the programme with a pop-up roof that kept overall height below two metres.
- 1997
- The V 280 added Volkswagen-sourced 2.8-litre VR6 power and an automatic transmission, identifiable as the only six-cylinder W638 V-Class.
- 1999
- A comprehensive March facelift revised the grille, bumpers, side trim, interior and equipment.
- Common-rail OM611 diesels replaced the indirect-injection V 230 Turbodiesel, creating the V 200 CDI and V 220 CDI.
- The petrol four-cylinder cars moved to updated M111 engines and shared chassis 638.294; these mechanical changes are the clearest divider between early and late W638s.
- 2003
- W638 production ended in summer after more than 400,000 Vito and V-Class vehicles; the rear-wheel-drive W639 replaced it, with Viano used for the passenger model.
