Skip to main content

‘Mission Metris’ is go: Mercedes-Benz unveils four wild Project Vans for SEMA

It seems like the objective of Mercedes-Benz’s “Mission Metris” is pretty simple: have a good time.

The German brand is bringing four midsize project vans to the 2014 SEMA Show, including a DJ Van, Luxury Van, Mobile Golf Pro Shop, and a Fire Chief Concept Truck.

As you’ve probably guessed, these aren’t your average work vans. They may be utilitarian underneath, but you won’t find any ladders or power tools strapped inside these deluxe party cruisers.

The first member of “Mission Metris” is the Luxury Van. Instead of empty storage space in the back, the Mercedes wears padded interior materials with a TV, reclining bench seats, and an ultra-executive vibe completing the experience.

Next up is the Mobile Golf Pro Shop, which functions just as it sounds. There’s a high-tech golf simulator and infotainment system inside for those times when you get booted off the range, with a Mobile Performance Center and Merchandising Displays coming along for the ride.

For those who want to keep the festivities portable, Mercedes built a Party/DJ Van, complete with a clamshell roof that opens into a swirling digital backdrop. Of course, it has the bass-thumping stereo to match.

In case the party gets too out of hand, the last member of “Mission Metris” is a Fire Chief Concept Truck. Unfortunately, it doesn’t spray 1500 gallons of water per minute, but it does have advanced communications systems and a standout civil servant uniform.

“Mission Metris” was designed to build anticipation for new midsize commercial vans that will arrive in the U.S. and Canada next year. For the painters, carpenters, and shipping companies who aim to use the van as it was intended, production versions will be shown in 2015.

The 2014 SEMA Show kicks off November 4th.

Andrew Hard
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?
Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Read more
EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says
ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.

Read more
Trump team in sync with Tesla on ending crash-reporting requirements, report says
Beta of Tesla's FSD in a car.

The transition team of President-elect Donald Trump is planning to end existing car-crash reporting requirements to safety regulators, according to a Reuters report.

The report cites a document obtained by Reuters that lays out the transition team’s 100-day strategy for automotive policy. In the document, the team says the crash-reporting requirement leads to “excessive” data collection, Reuters says.

Read more