The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has lent its name to an entire vehicle segment and is a synonym for large vans all around the globe.
The Sprinter has always driven innovations in its segment "” a tradition that is being continued by the new model.
The new Sprinter continues to set standards, boasting five new safety systems, engines that meet the future Euro VI emissions standard, and a striking new appearance. Most importantly, however, the van's excellent low fuel consumption of 44.4 mpg makes it the most efficient vehicle in its segment.
The Sprinter has always been a pioneer with regard to driver assistance systems. Five new assistance systems "” including several van firsts "” will help reduce the number of accidents even further in the new Sprinter.
The following systems are celebrating their world debut in the Sprinter: Crosswind Assist, which is fitted as standard, and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and Blind Spot Assist, which are both optional. Other new features are Highbeam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist. The developers at Mercedes-Benz are convinced that these electronic assistants will play a key role in helping to reduce accidents in the van sector.
As one of the functions of the Electronic Stability Program, Crosswind Assist will be part of the vehicle's range of standard equipment. Customers will be able to order the other assistance systems as individual options or as components of logically assembled packages. This allows every customer to tailor the Sprinter to their specific area of application.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz has improved the Sprinter's handling even further. The lowering of the chassis has improved the van's drag and fuel consumption and makes it easier to load and unload cargo.
The new Sprinter is the world's first van to meet the future Euro VI emissions standard in all of its engine variants. Euro VI drastically reduces the emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx), total hydrocarbons (THC), and particulate mass. The Sprinter achieves the strict limits with the help of its BlueTEC engine and SCR technology that injects AdBlue into the exhaust gas. The technology has already proven its worth in more than 100,000 commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz.
The performance of the diesel engines has remained unchanged, encompassing four- and six-cylinder units with outputs ranging from 95 hp (70 kW) to 190 hp (140 kW).
The developers have used the additional exhaust treatment stage to optimise the injection and combustion processes as well as the boost pressure. The results are lower fuel consumption and less combustion noise. The engineers also adjusted the drive system and the ancillary components to enhance fuel efficiency. This applies to the transmission and the rear axle as well as an intelligent generator management system.
As an alternative to the diesel engines, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is also available with a Euro VI compliant supercharged four-cylinder natural gas engine featuring direct injection. The engine generates 156 hp (115 kW) from a total displacement of 1.8-litres.
Power is transmitted either by the ECO-Gear six-speed manual transmission or the 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission with lock-up clutch, which is the only system of its kind to be found in a van.
The combination of the highly efficient diesel engines, the optimised powertrain, the longer axle ratio, the ancillary components, and the BlueEFFICIENCY PLUS efficiency package has reduced fuel consumption to a minimum of 44.4 mpg (NEDC combined), which is a record value for the Sprinter segment. However, the new Sprinter is extremely economical not only as a result of its high fuel efficiency, but also because it comes with the ASSYST maintenance calculation system as standard in Europe. Thanks to this system, the van's maintenance intervals, which were already long, have been extended to up to 37,000 miles.
The new Sprinter's appearance has also been substantially enhanced and made more striking. In line with Mercedes-Benz' current design, the van's radiator grille is now more vertical and confident. The grille's three slats are perforated and wedge-shaped. Not only does this change create a more dynamic impression, it also increases the airflow. In addition, a frame surrounds the brand's distinctive radiator grille, making it more prominent.
Another change involves the headlights, which are now more angular. The covers on the reflector housings are particularly striking, dividing the headlights into separate segments. The new hood is higher and the more distinctly shaped bumpers have finely worked lower edges similar to those found on SUVs. The new Sprinter is immediately recognisable from the rear, due to its double-segmented taillights.
The widely acknowledged exemplary interior has also been further enhanced. Comfort has been boosted by the new upholstery and seat coverings, the thicker steering wheel makes gripping easier, and the fresh air nozzles boast chrome applications if the customer opts for a multifunctional steering wheel. The knob of the gearshift lever has been redesigned as well.
The Sprinter is also fitted with a new-generation radio system that equips the van not only with state-of-the-art electronic entertainment features and Bluetooth telephone equipment (including a telephone keypad and phonebook), but also the Becker MAP PILOT navigation system.
The developers of the new Sprinter made sure that the van was thoroughly tested. More than five million miles of endurance testing and extensive customer trials in everyday use had fully demonstrated the new Sprinter's high quality by the time series production was launched.
Customers can order the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter beginning in June 2013; deliveries will commence in September.
