NewTrucks

Safety first - In an accident, controlled energy absorption is provided by the side members and the powertrain. Each seat is now equipped with three-point seat belts, height-adjustable head restraints and belt force limiters, which will be fitted locally. The driver's seat and the outer co-driver's seat are also fitted with belt tensioners. A front airbag for the driver is standard. A co-driver's front airbag, thorax bags and window bags are optionally available. Cab design is based on safety cells for both drivers and passengers. Load right - Sturdy load-securing rings are standard, as is a steel bulkhead on the panel van. A wooden load compartment floor, lashing rails in the wooden floor and further waistline and roof-level lashing rails are a standard fitment.

Demand for payload capacity is on the up in the road transport industry and when it comes to moving smaller loads quickly and safely, 3.5-ton vans are the ticket. This market segment is well traded with European models holding sway, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter being top dog currently. A new-look range of Sprinters has hit our dealership floors, offering greater safety, carrying capacity and adaptability. Paul Collings checks out the options.

With Mercedes-Benz Vans investing around 1.8 billion euro in the development of the new Sprinter range, there is much on offer from both a practical and emotional perspective. "Completely redesigned, the Sprinter breaks the mould of current domestic van offerings and delivers superior quality, reliability and commercial capability, along with unequalled attributes that allow commercial customers to do even more," says Gert Grobler, product manager for vans at Mercedes-Benz. "The new Sprinter ushers in a new era, beginning with styling that combines emotional and rational aspects and is a perfect blend of form and function. The emotional and dynamic styling moulds typical design themes of the Mercedes-Benz brand - for example the treatment of the headlamps and radiator grille - with the hard-headed rational qualities required in a van."
 

Mr Van - Gert Grobler addresses the media, with two thumbs up!

Versatility
According to Grobler, new Sprinter owners will have over 1000 configuration options to choose from. "The different wheelbase versions, lengths, heights, mass ratings, body types, engines and transmission versions alone add up to around 1 000 basic model versions," explains Grobler. "For example, the Sprinter is available in two wheelbase versions (3 665 and 4 325 mm), two lengths (in the case of closed-body versions) from 5 908 to 6 943 mm and with a choice of standard roof, high roof or the new super-high roof. And with GVM ratings from 3.0 to 5.0 tonnes, the new Sprinter caters for all the main segments in its class." 

The product range covers virtually all applications, Grobler continues. "The panel vans alone offer load space from 9.0 to 15.5 m³. And as well as a record number of versions, the new Sprinter also achieves a best-in-class loading width, for the large sliding door of 1 300 mm x 1 820 mm."

Enhanced safety
Mercedes-Benz Vans has a global 'safety programme' (known as Safety on course) where its customers are exposed to the many technologies within Sprinter and Vito models that keep the vehicle upright, drivers and passengers safely ensconced in the cab and loads securely held in the cargo area.

"All models including chassis versions are equipped as standard with a new-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP) known as ADAPTIVE ESP, says Grobler. "In addition to the usual parameters, this system is now also able to determine the mass and the centre of gravity of the load. This and other new functions allow ADAPTIVE ESP to intervene with even greater sensitivity and precision in critical situations." 
The rear-wheel-drive chassis is designed to cope with high engine power and large payload variations. Its neutral steer or slight under steer provides good driver control, adds Grobler. "New transverse leaf springs made of new fibre reinforced materials, are used at the front and new parabolic springs are used at the rear."

In addition, the Sprinter comes with a 'full house' braking system (ABS/ASR [anti-lock braking system/acceleration skid control]; EBD [electronic brake force distribution]; BAS (brake assist), and AAS [start off assist and anti-roll back] which should go a long way to help prevent bumper bashings in heavy traffic.

"Sturdy load-securing rings are standard, as is a steel bulkhead on the panel van," Grobler says. "A wooden load compartment floor, lashing rails in the wooden floor and further waistline and roof-level lashing rails are a standard fitment."

More space to stash stuff, like under the seats.

Comfort increases
The new Sprinter is certainly a comfortable ride with driver's seat equipped with infinitely variable height adjustment. The steering wheel is standard with height and tilt-adjustable positions. More headspace and stowage compartments underneath the passenger/co-driver seats give a definite roomy feel to the cab, which can also come fitted with a bulkhead sliding door.

"On vehicles with air conditioning, the glove compartment too can be air-conditioned," says Grobler. "The large over-cab stowage compartment in the high-roof Sprinter is also new."

Diesel purity
The new Sprinter's engines are "a milestone in the van segment", says Grobler. "The four-cylinder 2148 cc OM 646 CDI turbo diesel engine is now available in four output ratings, ranging from 65 kW (88 hp) to 110 kW (150 hp). Strong points of these engines include powerful low-end torque and excellent fuel economy. The versions with two-stage turbo charging are another first in the van segment. The two turbochargers are mounted in series and develop high power and torque in all r/min ranges."

The new top-of-the-line diesel engine is the OM 642, a 3.0-litre V6 unit developing a maximum output of 135 kW (184 hp) and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. While the four-cylinder units are already noted for their state-of-the-art engineering, the V6 goes a step further with an aluminium crankcase, a balancer shaft and two overhead camshafts per cylinder bank.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic transmission. 

4x4 guts
"The 4x4 Sprinter 313CDi demo unit that has been demonstrated around the country recently has opened up new business opportunities for mobile banking, retailing and tourism," Grobler says. "The new Sprinter model chosen for the Iglhaut GmbH conversions in future is the 315 CDI which is specifically suited for requirements of ambulances, fire-engines, mobile workshops, motor homes and eco-tourism buses."

Peace of mind
Grobler states that all new Sprinters will be backed by a nationwide network of 50 dealerships, a 24-hour 'on-demand' support service and a 24 month/200 000km warranty.