Automotive

Mercedes Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle plays all day, sleeps all night

Mercedes Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle plays all day, sleeps all night
The all-new Mercedes Marco Polo Activity debuts at the 2014 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
The all-new Mercedes Marco Polo Activity debuts at the 2014 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
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The Marco Polo Activity is powered by buyer's choice of turbo diesel four-cylinder engine options
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The Marco Polo Activity is powered by buyer's choice of turbo diesel four-cylinder engine options
The Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo Activity is a recreational vehicle built for outdoor escape
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The Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo Activity is a recreational vehicle built for outdoor escape
The pop-up roof houses a double bed
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The pop-up roof houses a double bed
The Mercedes Marco Polo Activity lets the whole family overnight in the outdoors
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The Mercedes Marco Polo Activity lets the whole family overnight in the outdoors
The all-new Mercedes Marco Polo Activity debuts at the 2014 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
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The all-new Mercedes Marco Polo Activity debuts at the 2014 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
The Marco Polo activity offers between 88- and 190-hp
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The Marco Polo activity offers between 88- and 190-hp
The sliding/folding rear bench offers extra cargo space for toys and tools
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The sliding/folding rear bench offers extra cargo space for toys and tools
The Marco Polo starts at €38,960
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The Marco Polo starts at €38,960
The Activity is perfect for families that like to enjoy outdoor activities
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The Activity is perfect for families that like to enjoy outdoor activities
The pop-up roof uses a mechanical, scissor-action system
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The pop-up roof uses a mechanical, scissor-action system
The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
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The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
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The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
Escaping into nature in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity
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Escaping into nature in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity
The three-seat rear bench folds down into a bed for up to three
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The three-seat rear bench folds down into a bed for up to three
The Marco Polo Activity is available in FWD, RWD and AWD
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The Marco Polo Activity is available in FWD, RWD and AWD
Setting up camp in the Mercedes Marco Polo
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Setting up camp in the Mercedes Marco Polo
The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
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The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
The fold-out table offers eating/working/playing space
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The fold-out table offers eating/working/playing space
The fold-out table has an adjustable telescopic stand
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The fold-out table has an adjustable telescopic stand
The Marco Polo Activity has a glass fiber-reinforced plastic roof
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The Marco Polo Activity has a glass fiber-reinforced plastic roof
Off the beaten track in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity
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Off the beaten track in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity
Off the beaten track in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity
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Off the beaten track in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity
The front seats swivel back when the van is parked in live-in mode
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The front seats swivel back when the van is parked in live-in mode
The interior of the Activity differs from the standard Marco Polo in the loss of the kitchen area and addition of a rear seat
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The interior of the Activity differs from the standard Marco Polo in the loss of the kitchen area and addition of a rear seat
The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
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The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
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The all-new Marco Polo Activity recreational vehicle
The roof bed is a cold foam mattress with special spring elements
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The roof bed is a cold foam mattress with special spring elements
Mercedes unveiled two Marco Polo models in Düsseldorf
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Mercedes unveiled two Marco Polo models in Düsseldorf
Inside the Marco Polo Activity
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Inside the Marco Polo Activity
The front driver and passenger seat swing around to face the rear seats
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The front driver and passenger seat swing around to face the rear seats
Mercedes offers two different six-speed manual transmission options and a 7G-TRONIC PLUS, based upon specific model/engine
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Mercedes offers two different six-speed manual transmission options and a 7G-TRONIC PLUS, based upon specific model/engine
In addition to acting as a bed, the folding bench opens up more cargo space
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In addition to acting as a bed, the folding bench opens up more cargo space
The Marco Polo (left) and Marco Polo Activity debut
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The Marco Polo (left) and Marco Polo Activity debut
The Marco Polo (left) and Marco Polo Activity debut
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The Marco Polo (left) and Marco Polo Activity debut
View gallery - 34 images

Back in July, Mercedes-Benz announced it would be introducing the new Marco Polo camper at this year's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon. Now that the show is underway in Germany's Rhine-Ruhr region, Mercedes has revealed both the Marco Polo and the Marco Polo Activity. The Activity brings a light, athletic footprint to overnight road tripping.

The Marco Polo Activity has the same 5.14 x 1.93 x 1.98-m (16.9 x 6.3 x 6.5-ft) measurements as the standard Marco Polo, but it is a sort of "camper light" version (Mercedes refers to it as a "recreational vehicle," saving "camper van" for the regular Marco Polo). The primary substantive difference separating the two is that the Activity leaves the kitchen unit at the factory. Without it, the Activity has the room for three rear bench seats in place of two. While the Marco Polo is a full camper built for those that plan to eat, sleep and live on the road, the Activity is more of a versatile van for those that want to play outside until dark, catch a night of sleep in the field and do it all again come morning.

The three-seat rear bench folds down into a bed for up to three
The three-seat rear bench folds down into a bed for up to three

The loss of the kitchen unit means campers will have to cook outdoors – or grab breakfast at the local diner – but it opens up more sleeping space. The three-seat bench folds into a 1.93 x 1.3-m (6.3 x 4.4-ft) bed for sleeping up to three people. The rear-bench conversion hardware raises the surface up, allowing the seat belts to tuck away below the bed. The electrically controlled rear vent windows keep things from getting stuffy, and the curtains create a dark sleeping chamber.

The second bed in the pop-up roof, which measures 2.05 x 1.13 m (6.7 x 3.7 ft), gives the Marco Polo Activity the capacity for up to five people to stretch out and sleep soundly. When the roof bed is not in use, it can be moved out of the way to open up more headroom within the cabin.

The Activity includes a fold-out table with two integrated cup holders and a bottle holder. The table sets up between the rear bench and the swiveling front seats, giving all occupants a space to eat, work and play games. Four reading lights, five 12-volt power outlets and a series of additional cup and bottle holders make the Activity cabin a comfortable, functional space in which to spend evenings and rainy afternoons. An available awning provides a little bit of shade for sitting outside, detaching from the van body when not needed.

The interior includes easy-clean black side paneling and anthracite TPO flooring. The rear bench is upholstered in the buyer's choice of black or gray Santiago fabric or optional black Lugano leather.

In addition to its lack of kitchen, the Activity loses supporting equipment, such as water tanks. Mercedes imagines owners taking advantage of the extra space to transport all types of outdoor gear and tools. The rear bench slides forward on its floor rails to make more room in back for large items like a surfboard, bicycle or parasailing gear. Those that need more room can fold the bed, using its surface and the space underneath for cargo. Two under-bed drawers provide organization and remove to open up more space.

Off the beaten track in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity
Off the beaten track in the Mercedes Marco Polo Activity

Marco Polo Activity buyers have a number of options in terms of powertrain. Mercedes offers a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel in 88- and 114-hp tunes or a 2.1-liter turbo diesel in 136-, 163- and 190-hp levels. It also offers front-, rear- and all-wheel drive options. The Activity includes standard Crosswind Assist and Attention Assist intelligent assistance systems, and Mercedes offers options like Active Parking Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.

The Marco Polo Activity starts at €38,960 (US$51,200), a good deal cheaper than the standard Marco Polo, which bases in at €54,835. Those that want to stray far off the beaten path should consider another Mercedes camping vehicle: the Zetros-based expedition vehicle.

Product page: Daimler

View gallery - 34 images
2 comments
2 comments
Riaanh
Seems like a bit of wasted space behind the front seats.
Cansalt
This van will be a huge seller in north america. Please MB! We want this in 2016!!! Perfect for work, sports, camping!