Never before has there ever been a fleet-dedicated vehicle so advanced and connected. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter comes into the commercial world setting new benchmarks in terms of connectivity, safety and diversity. It will be available starting June 2018, with an electric drive variant coming in 2019.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been presented in Duisburg, Germany. The new edition of the bestseller marks the commencement of the digital age in the commercial segment. The third generation of the van is the first to host the fully connected integral solutions.
“More than 20 years ago, the Sprinter established the segment that bears its name today. Since than, it has set new benchmarks for large vans through innovation time and again. No wonder it is one of the bestsellers in Daimler’s portofolio”, says the company’s CEO, Dieter Zetsche.
Daimler is investing €2.5 billion for the development of the van, to enhance its worldwide production network, sales and aftersales.
On the market since 2006, the Sprinter is already in use in a wide range of industries: courier services, food delivery, private and public passenger transportation, camping, mobile workshop services, but also construction transport.
The new Sprinter provides customers with more possible applications than ever. It is available in more than 1,700 variants, depending on the body type, drive system, cab design, body lengh, payload, cargo space height and equipment versions. It can be ordered with various seating layouts, from two individual seats in the cab to a people transport vehicle of 19 passengers plus driver. Maximum cargo volume is 17 cubic meters.
To the super popular diesel engines range, Mercedes-Benz Vans is working on an emission-free electric vehicle, set to arrive in 2019, to join the company’s eVito. The electric models are primarily conceived to serve operations in city centers.
The camper-van Sprinter will be available, for the first time, with front-wheel drive, allowing an improved payload of the vehicle that now features a lower floor that facilitates access and exit and a better sleeping space. It is also available as a tractor head, with the powertrain, fuel tank and all major components located in front of or under the cab, allowing bodybuilders full freedom to customize their vehicles and widen the range of the applications. The new tractor head features a gross vehicle weight of up to 5,5 metric tons.
In terms of connectivity, the camper van variant hosts new digital control possibilities that converts the vehicle into a fully connected smart home on wheels. In the future, Mercedes will offer the possibility of controlling all the camper van functions from one place, via the infotainment system or with the help of a smartphone.
The new Sprinter features two combined digital systems that serve logistics and transport requirements in our century of digitalization. The Mercedes PRO system, especially designed for fleet customers, can link vehicles and drivers in the fleet via the Vehicle Management Tool. At the market launch, the Mercedes PRO connect is an ex-factory solution, integrating eight packages, such as Vehicle Supervision, Vehicle Operations, Fleet Communication, Maintenance and Repair Management, but also a digital Driver’s Logbook.
The new MBUX multimedia system, that made its debut with the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, is available in the new Sprinter, providing access to the Mercedes PRO connect. It integrates a 10.25-inch display with HD resolution and is controlled via touch-enabled steering wheel controls, touchscreen or voice control.
The vehicle benefits from the presence of an engine Start/Stop button and that of ergonomically designed seats that enhance comfort and provide a favorable posture on-board.
Bigger does not necessarily mean safer, so the Sprinter is equipped with all the assistance systems that the passenger cars benefit from. The list includes the radar-based distance control system DISTRONIC, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Attention Assist. The Parking Package is offered optionally and it includes a 360-degree camera. Fitted with the Blind Sport Assist, the van recognizes traffic and pedestrians crossing and can brake autonomously in case of emergency. Crosswind Assist and Traffic Sign Assist are also available.
The new Sprinter is available on the market in Europe starting June, with a price starting at 19,990 euros (including VAT) in Germany.
