New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Scheduled For Next Spring

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on November 22, 2005 at 12:30 AM CST

Although not well known here in America, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter  
has been widely successful across Europe, with approximately 1.3  
million units being sold.

Next year, Mercedes is planning to launch a new Sprinter, which  
"represents a flawless blend of form and function and whets the  
appetite for the innovative and practical technology under the surface."

Or, if you prefer our translated version, the new Sprinter "has a  
face that only a mother can love."  We can't really fault Mercedes  
for its lack of aesthetically pleasing good looks, however - it is,  
after all, a cargo van.

Once you look past the Sprinter's misshapen appearance, the new  
Sprinter is actually an extremely functional van.  To fulfill the  
needs of a wide variety of customers, the Sprinter will be available  
in three wheelbases, four body lengths, and three roof heights, as  
well as a host of body options.

The engines of the Sprinter will be equally as diverse - customers  
will have their choice of four or six-cylinder CDI diesel engines  
ranging from 88 horsepower to 184 horsepower, or they can instead opt  
for a V6 petrol engine that produces 258 horsepower.

And finally, to top it all off, Mercedes has equipped their new  
Sprinter with a host of safety features, including thorax airbags (in  
addition to front airbags and window airbags), the new Mercedes  
Adaptive ESP system, an improved braking system, and optional bi- 
xenon headlamps.

So when will the new beast will be unleashed?  Mercedes has announced  
that the redesigned Sprinter will be officially launched at the end  
of March 2006.
For more info, you can check out the full press release and photos by  
clicking the link below:

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Nov05/22NewMercSprinterNextSpring.html

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


The New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: Even More Versatile, Safe And More  
Comfortable

Stuttgart, Nov 22, 2005

For ten years now the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has led the way in what  
has long been known as the “Sprinter class” in Europe. With some 1.3  
million units sold, the Sprinter’s record as the market leader for  
vans with gross vehicle weights of around 3.5 t speaks for itself. A  
new Sprinter is due for launch in the spring of next year and will  
once again set the benchmark. Its emotive design represents a  
flawless blend of form and function and whets the appetite for the  
innovative and practical technology under the surface.
Versatile: body and engine variants to meet all requirements
With three wheelbases, four body lengths ranging from 5243 mm to 7343  
mm, three roof heights and a wealth of body options, the new Sprinter  
is even more flexible than its predecessor. The new range includes  
variants between 3.0 and 5.0 t gross vehicle weight and, as a panel  
van with a load capacity of 7 to 17 m³ for example, it meets almost  
every conceivable requirement.

The same is true of the engine variants. The powerful, cutting-edge  
four and six-cylinder CDI diesel engines with outputs ranging from 65  
kW (88 hp) to 135 kW (184 hp) respond to every need. All of the Euro  
4/EU 4 diesel engines are fitted with a particulate filter. The V6  
petrol powerplant, meanwhile, delivers exceptional levels of comfort  
and effortless performance with its output of 190 kW (258 hp).

Among the many innovations of the new Sprinter are a variant with 4.6  
t gross vehicle weight and space-saving Super-Single tyres for the  
rear wheels.

Safety first: ADAPTIVE ESP® for all models, strong brakes, bi-xenon  
head-lamps

The already exemplary safety features of the outgoing Sprinter have  
been improved on still further in the new model. Various different  
bodyshell measures have taken the vehicle’s crash responses to a  
whole new level. Added to which, thorax airbags are now also  
available in addition to the driver’s and front passenger airbags and  
windowbags fitted in its predecessor. Another highlight is the  
standard addition on all models of ADAPTIVE ESP® - the latest  
generation of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®). Its extended  
functionality allows this system to, among other things, measure the  
weight of the vehicle’s load, calculate the centre of gravity and  
adapt its responses precisely according to these factors.

The Sprinter’s chassis is even more agile than before and now offers  
even greater active safety. Included as standard on all models are 16- 
inch wheels with a highly effective and durable braking system,  
including disc brakes all round, the anti-lock braking system (ABS),  
electronic brake force distribution and hydraulic Brake Assist (BAS).

Safety is further enhanced by the optional bi-xenon headlamps with  
the additional Add-Light System and cornering light function - a new  
dimension in light and therefore safety technology for vans.

Convenience-enhancing: extensive standard equipment, innovative extras

Convenience is also an important issue in a van and the new Sprinter  
ticks this box with standard-fitted power windows and central locking  
with radio remote control. Another noteworthy feature is the new  
interior concept with even better ergonomics and a substantial  
increase in stowage areas inside the driver’s cab. This is another  
area in which the Sprinter raises the bar in its class – and the same  
applies to the large number of new individual options headed by the  
innovative access system, Keyless Entry and Slide. This system  
provides automatic locking and unlocking of all doors and automatic  
opening and closing of the sliding load compartment door.

The launch of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will begin at the end of  
March 2006. The new van will be produced at the plants in Düsseldorf  
(panel van and crew-bus) and Ludwigsfelde near Berlin (pickups and  
chassis incl. crewcabs).

For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit eMercedesBenz at  
www.eMercedesBenz.com