A new Mercedes-Benz boasting first-class environmental credentials is now providing five-star travel for guests of luxury golf and spa hotel Rockliffe Hall.
The fully electric eVito Tourer SELECT carries passengers and their luggage around the resort grounds, near Darlington, as well as ferrying them to and from local transport hubs.
Supplied by North-East Dealer Bell Truck and Van, and the subject of a finance agreement with Advanced Vehicle Leasing, of Middlesborough, the new vehicle is from the latest eVito Tourer generation. It boasts a potential range of 217-221 miles (combined WLTP), and the battery can be restored to 80% of full capacity in as little as 40 minutes.
Rockliffe Hall Managing Director Jason Adams said: “The eVito Tourer offers the ideal combination of attributes for our requirements. Its comfort and style, as well as the brand image of Mercedes-Benz, complement perfectly the five-star luxury of our own facilities. And, of course, our guests expect nothing less.”
The eVito Tourer comes with three rows of seats and can accommodate up to eight passengers. The SELECT trimline features upgraded Comfort seats with armrests, while other enhancements include a chrome grille and interior highlights, colour-coded bumpers and distinctive, 17-inch alloy wheels. Rockcliffe Hall’s new vehicle also boasts TEMPMATIC air-conditioning, and a comprehensive array of safety technology that includes Active Brake Assist and ATTENTION ASSIST systems.
Rockliffe Hall has 61 bedrooms designed to provide the ultimate in luxury, as well as apartment and self-catering holiday home options, all with views over surrounding countryside and the River Tees.
Its award-winning spa offers a range of facilities and treatments to both hotel guests and day visitors, while diners in the three different restaurants can enjoy meals which feature seasonal ingredients grown in Rockliffe’s own kitchen garden. Golfers, meanwhile, can take on the resort’s 18-hole championship golf course, perhaps after a visit to the eight-bay covered driving range, short game area, practice greens and golf academy.
Jason Adams observed: “Many of our guests already drive electric cars, and make use of the 16 rapid charging points we’ve installed around the site – we started with three chargers, but have gradually added more as demand has continued to grow, especially over the last 12 months. Our customers appreciate the efforts we’re making to minimise the effects of our passenger transport on the environment. The fact that the eVito is so quiet is also another plus point, especially when it’s being used in the evening.”
He continued: “The vehicle’s electric driveline is also well suited to the task. Much of its time is spent ferrying guests round our site, or between the main hotel building and the clubhouse at our golf course. We also use it to take visitors to and from the railway station in Darlington, and Teesside Airport – journeys of six and eight miles each way, respectively. For trips like these, electric power, with its instant torque, smooth acceleration and no gear changes to worry about, is perfect.”
Like all Mercedes-Benz Vans, Rockcliffe Hall’s eVito also came with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty and MobiloVan, which provides free emergency roadside assistance, including ‘out of charge’ cover. The battery is guaranteed for eight years/160,000 km.
Mr Adams added: “The Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer combines the best in comfort and style with optimum efficiency and care for its surroundings – much as we do at Rockliffe Hall. It’s already been very well received by guests and colleagues, and we’re delighted we chose it.”
Clarke Beagrie, of Advanced Vehicle Leasing, added: “The eVito is a fantastic choice for this application and we’re delighted to have helped supply such a great looking vehicle. We take at least 100 vans every year from Bell, and have built a great working relationship with Fleet Sales Manager Darren Thompson. It’s great when three strong North-East businesses can co-operate like this, to the benefit of all concerned.”
