Mercedes Vito W447 Tourer 9-seater + Minimalle Exokit: the modular conversion by Roadstore

There's a category of vehicles often overlooked when discussing van conversions: family versions like the Tourer, equipped with multiple rows of seats for passenger transport. The Mercedes Vito W447 Tourer 9-seater is one such example. But contrary to popular belief, these vehicles can also accommodate a light and modular conversion, provided you accept a simple principle: temporarily remove the rear seats to free up space. This is exactly what this project, led by Roadstore, offers. They sourced, sold, and equipped this Vito Tourer with our Minimalle Exokit.

The Mercedes Vito W447 Tourer: primarily a family vehicle

The Mercedes Vito W447 in Tourer version is designed for passenger transport. With its 9-seat configuration, it offers three rows of seats: a first row at the front for the driver and passenger, a second intermediate row, and a third row at the rear. All seats are removable, with the exception of the front row, allowing the entire rear space to be cleared when you don't need to transport so many people.

It is precisely this modularity that makes this type of vehicle interesting for mixed use: a large family during the week, a van getaway on the weekend. Rather than buying two vehicles or giving up one of the uses, an intermediate solution can be considered with a light conversion, quick to install and remove.

Roadstore finds and sells the vehicle with the Minimalle inside

In this project, Roadstore, the partner workshop based in Cossé-le-Vivien in Mayenne, handled the entire operation. Julien first identified a Mercedes Vito W447 Tourer 9-seater matching the client's needs, then organized the sale of the vehicle with the Minimalle Exokit already installed inside.

This type of turnkey service significantly simplifies the client's life: they receive a ready-to-use vehicle, without having to search separately for the van, the furniture, and the installer. Everything is coordinated upstream, and the functional result is delivered.

What is the Minimalle Exokit?

The Minimalle Exokit is a compact and lightweight piece of furniture, designed to be installed and removed in minutes without tools. It consists of a folding structure which, once unfolded, offers a sleeping area for one or two people depending on the width of the vehicle. Once folded, it completely frees up the rear space for loading or for reinstalling the seats.

Unlike a fixed van conversion, the Minimalle requires no modification to the vehicle. It simply rests on the floor, braces against the sides, and can be removed in less than five minutes if needed. It's the ideal solution for Vito Tourer owners who want to maintain the versatility of their family vehicle while also having the option of going away for a weekend with a bed onboard.

A clever lounge/dining configuration with rotated seats

In the photos taken by Roadstore, we see the Minimalle Exokit installed at the rear of the Mercedes Vito Tourer, with the second-row seats turned rearward, facing the front seats. A table has been installed in the center, creating a real lounge/dining area.

This configuration is particularly interesting for families: adults sit on the swivel seats, comfortably installed with their headrests and seatbelts, while children can sit on the Minimalle, on the other side of the table. The whole forms a convivial space, ideal for lunch breaks on the road, snacks by the sea, or simply for playing a board game when stationary.

This ability to swivel the seats is one of the major advantages of the Tourer versions: it instantly transforms the interior into a living space, without needing to leave the vehicle or deploy an external awning.

And if you want a real bed? The click-clack bench as an alternative

The Minimalle is a perfect solution for occasional use or for trips where sleeping is not the priority. But if you're planning more regular use with a greater need for nocturnal comfort, another option exists: completely remove the rear seats and install a 120 cm clic-clac bench, in classic or surf version.

These benches offer a real double bed, deployable in seconds, with thick and comfortable cushions. By day, they function as a classic seat. In the evening, they transform into a full bed. And if needed, they can be removed to put the original seats back in and restore the 9-seater configuration of the Vito Tourer.

This type of modularity is precisely what makes Tourer vehicles so strong: you can adapt the interior to your needs at any given moment, without being confined to a single use.

A Mercedes Vito Tourer that remains a versatile family vehicle

This project led by Roadstore perfectly illustrates what can be done with a Mercedes Vito W447 Tourer: retain its role as a 9-seater family vehicle during the week, and transform it into a leisure van on weekends with a light conversion like the Minimalle Exokit. No irreversible modifications, no permanent loss of seating, just a clever solution that adapts to real lifestyles.

Do you own a Mercedes Vito Tourer, a Volkswagen Caravelle, a Renault Trafic Combi, or another family vehicle of this type? Are you wondering if it's possible to convert it without losing its versatility? Contact our team to discuss solutions tailored to your project, or get in touch with Roadstore if you are in the Laval region.