Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo
A revolutionary camper that debuted 40 years ago
In 1984, Mercedes-Benz debuted the Marco Polo, a revolutionary camper van with a roof bed at the time.
Forty years ago, the Venetian explorer was named after the first Mercedes-Benz camper van. In 1984, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the first Marco Polo, which was based on the Bremer Transporter.
With a height of 2,970mm, a chunky and charming form, a Bahama beige exterior and a beige-brown interior, the first-generation Marco Polo quickly became the envy of campers living in Europe.
The first generation Marco Polo featured a “roof bed,” a feature that remains a major feature of the vehicle today. The rear bench seat could be folded out to create a bed, and the front seats were also swivelable. It also boasted equipment similar to that of modern campers, including a kitchenette with a sink, an electric cooker, a refrigerator, cupboards, and drawers.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Marco Polo’s debut, the Mercedes-Benz Museum will be exhibiting the original Marco Polo in its atrium. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00. The Marco Polo will be on display until January 2025.
Marco Polo has evolved into a smart home
The current V-Class Marco Polo, which was updated to the latest generation in early 2024, has not only evolved its interior and exterior, but has also become more digitalized, with features similar to those of a smart home.
Following the first generation Marco Polo, the second generation Marco Polo, developed based on the Vito Van, debuted in 1996. By adopting a pop-up roof, the vehicle was able to keep its overall height below 2000mm while driving, even with the addition of a roof bed. The rear seats and bed could slide thanks to a specially developed rail system.
The third-generation Marco Polo, based on the Viano, was released in 2003, and further evolved in terms of functionality. The pop-up roof was electrically operated, and springs were added to the roof bed, making for a more comfortable sleeping area. Other features included bench seats with electrically folding backrests.
Since 2015, the V-Class has undergone numerous product improvements, improving its functionality. The latest generation V-Class Marco Polo, which was redesigned in early 2024, has undergone a full model change, updating both the interior and exterior. From the cockpit to the living area, the interior has the feel of a luxury lounge.
By incorporating the latest MBUX multimedia system and intelligent technologies such as MBAC (Mercedes-Benz Advanced Control), the car has evolved into a highly functional smart home for digital nomads.
