Mercedes Benz's popular van family has been upgraded for the European market with cleaner engines capable of 37 mpg (Euro cycle), electronic crosswind assist as standard, more space and comfort, and 37,000-mile maintenance intervals.
After more than five million miles of endurance testing and extensive customer trials, the new Sprinter family is here. Starting in June, available engine choices will include four- and six-cylinder diesels with outputs ranging from 95 hp to 190 hp. In some markets, there will also be a 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder natural gas engine featuring direct injection with 156 horsepower. The engines will be linked to either the ECO-Gear six-speed manual transmission or the 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission with lock-up clutch.
Apart from the 37 mpg in the European cycle (thanks partly to the lowered chassis generating less drag) and the extended maintenance intervals, drivers will also enjoy new upholstery and seat coverings, a thicker steering wheel and redesigned shifter knob. The Sprinter also has Bluetooth phone connection and a Becker navigation system.
New safety systems in this sector will include Crosswind Assist as standard, while Collision Prevention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Highbeam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist will be optional. We suspect the redesigned model will launch in the U.S. as the 2014 Mercedes Sprinter.