Mercedes-Benz Vito (W 638)

The W 638 was the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz Vito, a small van and minibus built from 1996 to 2003 at the Vitoria-Gasteiz plant in Spain. It was sold as a commercial vehicle under the Vito name and, in the passenger segment, as the V-Class, and it replaced the MB 100. Unlike its rear-wheel-drive successor, the W 638 had a transversely mounted front engine and drove the front wheels. Body variants included a panel van with one row of seats, a Mixto with two rows and a small load area, and a minibus with three rows, plus camper conversions by Westfalia. The name Vito comes from Vitoria-Gasteiz, because the planned name Vitoria had been protected by Seat. It was voted Van of the Year in 1996 but sold far fewer units than the Volkswagen Transporter, and it was known for corrosion and electrical faults.