The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: Versatility, power, safety and comfort

Production in Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde

Bigger range of versions than ever before

High-tech diesel engines: powerful and clean

Innovative suspension, standard-fitted ADAPTIVE ESP® with extended functionality

Stuttgart - Jan 30, 2006: Eleven years and approximately 1.3 million units after making its debut, the European market leader in the 3.5 t GVW van sector, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, now has a successor. DaimlerChrysler has invested some €1.8 billion in the development of this new model. With a raft of innovations, the new Sprinter is a milestone in its class. It will be launched at the end of March 2006. The Sprinter is built at the two German factories in Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde (Brandenburg). DaimlerChrysler invested €550 million in expanding the paint and body shop in Düsseldorf, where panel vans and crewbuses are produced. The company also invested €300 million in the new paint and body shops for the Ludwigsfelde plant, where pickups and chassis versions are built. Combined, both plants will account for a moderate number of new jobs in the low three-digit range. The workforce will be drawn mainly from the current DaimlerChrysler employee pool.

At both plants, outstanding build quality and long service life are a top priority. Many parts of the frame and body are laser-welded, laser- brazed or bonded. A considerably greater proportion of sheet metal components is galvanised than on the previous model. Meticulous seam seals, application of stone chip primer in vulnerable areas and undersealing likewise help to ensure long life and value retention.

Corrosion protection cannot be discussed without mentioning the new RoDip or rotation dipping process at the Ludwigsfelde plant. In each pre-treatment bath, including the cataphoretic dip bath, the bodies are rotated a full 360° about their transverse axis to ensure a uniform allover coating of all sheet metal parts and all cavities.

Since the introduction of its first generation in 1995, the Sprinter traditionally has played an important role in the van unit’s success. In 2005, the Sprinter set a new record in its last year of production at the Düsseldorf and Buenos Aires plants with more than 167,000 units.

In the NAFTA region last year, 28,100 Sprinters were sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge and Freightliner brands, a 49% increase over the 2004 total (18,900 units). DaimlerChrysler recently announced it will be dedicating its Charleston/South Carolina facility to assembly of the next generation Dodge Sprinter van in response to growing demand in the North American markets.

A new era in van design

The new Sprinter opens 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 melds typical design themes of the Mercedes-Benz brand – for example the treatment of the headlamps and radiator grille – with the rational and functional qualities required in a van.

The dynamic side view, the rear lights which blend in with the contours of the vehicle and the taper in the lower part of the rear view are further typical Mercedes-Benz styling features, but they are interpreted in an original way. As far as the Mercedes star itself is concerned, the new Sprinter wears it proudly – at the front it appears on a sculpted base, while at the rear it occupies a central position between the doors.

Bigger range of versions than ever before

It may be somewhat misleading to talk about "the new Sprinter" when there will actually be something like a thousand different versions of this vehicle. The different wheelbase versions, lengths, heights, weight ratings, body types, engines and transmission versions alone add up to around 1,000 basic model versions. For example the Sprinter is available in three wheelbase versions (3250/3665/4325 mm), four lengths (in the case of closed-body versions) from 5243 to 7343 mm and with a choice of standard roof, high roof or the new super-high roof. And with GVW ratings from 3.0 to 5.0 tonnes, the new Sprinter caters for all the main weight segments in its class.

The product range covers virtually all applications – the panel vans alone offer load space from 7.0 to 17 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 1300 mm, and a best-in-class loading width between the wheel arches in single-tyred versions of up to 1350 mm.

Extensive standard specification; options to suit individual needs

New standards in this class are also set by the Sprinter's standard specification – amongst many other features, every model now comes with electrically operated windows, radio remote control central locking, driver's airbag, six-speed transmission, wide-angle mirrors and ADAPTIVE ESP®. Materials and build quality are likewise impressive. The new seats are anatomically contoured and provide good support. The driver's seat also has infinitely variable height adjustment. Optionally, for example for the parcel delivery sector, flip-up co-driver's seats are available.

Outstanding ergonomics and seating comfort

Taking centre stage in the cockpit is the centre console, which includes three DIN slots, a cup holder and a switch strip. The instrument cluster includes a clearly legible speedometer and rev counter dials. If the multifunction steering wheel is specified, a wide range of additional information can be shown in the large displays of the HighLine instrument cluster.

Excellent driver convenience is provided by an all-new stowage concept based on a real-world "basket" of driver and co-driver requirements. There are door compartments for large drink bottles, a spacious stowage area on the instrument panel, which is divided into three segments, and stowage compartments above the windscreen for driver and co-driver.

First-class lighting and visibility; Sprinter now available with bi-xenon headlamps

The standard-specification halogen H7 headlamps offer enhanced performance and excellent light output. Their integrated sidelights are a new and important safety feature. The optional bi-xenon headlamps meanwhile represent a new dimension in lighting technology for vans. They also incorporate an Add-Light system with cornering light function – both of which are new to the van market in this class.

Keyless Entry and Slide: keyless door control

Driver convenience is further assisted by extras like, for the sliding door, a closing aid or electric operation and, above all, the innovative Keyless Entry and Slide system. This system is particularly useful for parcel delivery drivers, who often have difficulty freeing a hand to open or close doors. When the driver approaches the vehicle, the system unlocks the driver's door or opens the sliding door, depending on which direction the driver is coming from. When the driver leaves the vehicle, Keyless Entry locks the driver's door or closes the sliding door.

High-tech diesel engines: powerful and clean

The new Sprinter's engines are a milestone in the van segment. The four- cylinder 2148 cc OM 646 CDI turbodiesel 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 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.

All the diesel engines have Euro 4 or EU 4/III low emissions rating and are equipped as standard with a particulate filter.

A new dimension: 190 kW (258 hp) petrol engine

The M 272 V6 petrol engine opens a new performance dimension for vans. With a displacement of 3.5 l delivering a maximum output of 190 kW (258 hp), it sets new standards. As well as impressive power delivery, a further feature of this high-tech engine is its exceptional smoothness. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. This transmission is also optionally available for the diesel engines, which are fitted as standard with a six-speed manual unit. Up to three final-drive ratios are available for each model, allowing the Sprinter to be closely matched to its application.

Innovative suspension, standard-fitted ADAPTIVE ESP® with extended functionality

All models including chassis versions are equipped as standard with a new-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) known as ADAPTIVE ESP®. In addition to the usual parameters, this system is now also able to determine the mass and the centre of gravity. This and other new functions allow ADAPTIVE ESP® to intervene with even greater sensitivity and precision in critical situations. Optionally, the Start-off Assist system AAS can be integrated in ADAPTIVE ESP®. This hill-start system prevents the vehicle from rolling downhill when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator during a hill start. To facilitate the manoeuvre, Start-off Assist maintains the brake pressure for up to two seconds after the service brake has been released.

New to the van segment: super-single tires

The optional super-single rear tyres for the 4.6 t version are a further innovation on the new Sprinter. These 285/65 R 16 C tyres take up less room than twin tyres and therefore provide a greater loading width between the wheel arches on the panel van. They also reduce rolling resistance.

Particular attention given to passive safety and load restraint

The new-generation Sprinter raises the already outstanding passive safety performance of this model series a further notch. Each seat is now equipped with three-point seat belts, height-adjustable head restraints and belt force limiters. 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 windowbags are optionally available.

High standards of passive safety are one of the basic values of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the Sprinter is no exception. In an accident, controlled energy absorption is provided by the side members and the powertrain. Intelligent repair systems like the bolted-on front-end module, "repair shoes" which allow sectional replacement of the side members and divided sidewall panelling all help to reduce the cost of repairing accident damage.

Large rub panels on the sides prevent minor bumps and grazes from causing expensive damage.

Load restraint too has received close attention. Sturdy load-securing rings are standard, as is a steel bulkhead on the panel van. Optionally, a wooden load compartment floor, lashing rails in the wooden floor and further waistline and roof-level lashing rails are also available.