Road Tests: Mercedes-Benz Vario 814D

At first look, the Vario might seem to be a dinosaur, a relic of another age. Its low-tech paper specification, its pla-Jane appearance and its modestly appointed interior do nothing to dispel the image. But load it up and put it to work and gives a thoroughly modern performance. The Vario owner's club maybe a small group, but its loyalty is understandable, and as M-B's thoughts over how it will be affected when Euro-4 engines arrive prove, is likely to be repaid for some time to come. Apart from the rather too widely-spaced gears, the Vario's performance is excellent, while the fuel economy is nothing short of astonishing. If the Vario is the only product that does what you want it to do, it's really rather lucky that it does it so well.