With a large range of customisable features, including various body and seating options, the new Sprinter is designed to appeal to operators of large and small fleets alike.
Existing rear- and all-wheel drive options are now joined by front-wheel drive, which has an 80mm lower floor to improve load volume and access. The front-wheel drive version also gives 50kg more payload than the rear-wheel drive model.
There are also two new transmissions for front-wheel drive. The nine-speed automatic torque converter transmission, says Mercedes, is a first in the large van segment. It’s joined by a new six-speed manual transmission option.
The manufacturer has also upgraded its Mercedes PRO Connect software to boost fleet management capabilities and unveiled its new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia/infotainment system.
Eight packages are available ex factory, offering central fleet, vehicle, driver and location-based services. These include vehicle supervision, vehicle operations, fleet communication, maintenance management and a digital driver’s logbook.
Inside, drivers benefit from ergonomically shaped seats, keyless start and an improved air conditioning system. Maximum load capacity is 17m3 with a payload of up to 5.5 tonnes.
Assistance systems for the new Sprinter include a self-cleaning reversing camera which displays its image in the rear-view mirror, a parking package with a 360-degree view, and a rain sensor with an integrated wet wiper system for improved visibility even during the wiping process.
The manufacturer also announced that a fully electric version – the eSprinter – goes on sale in 2019.