Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2006 Review

But the world has moved on and the medium commercial 'Tristar' is about to be replaced by a range that includes about a thousand variants -- although thankfully, Australia will only get 43 of them! Included in the new Sprinter lin-up are vans, busses, cab-chassis, cab-trays, crew-cabs, three different turbodiesel engines and either six-speed manual or five-speed auto transmissions. And various wheelbases, lengths, heights, weight ratings, plus single and dual rear wheels and soon, a four-wheel-drive option, will see buyers spoilt for choice.

There's also a new dual-cab chassis which has '2 plus 4' seating -- it wasn't available here previously because it had only one side door.

Two massively refurbished plants, at Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde near Berlin in Germany will assemble a quarter of a million Sprinters a year -- even though 50,000 of them will be badged as Volkswagens.

Mercedes invested 1.8 billion Euros in revamping the factories, including over 200 robots on each assembly line -- so assuming they'll sell half-a-million more new Sprinters than the old one, there's at least a thousand Euros to be amortised on each one -- a cruel handicap in a competitive marketplace.

Australia got its first taste of the Sprinter in 1998, but since 2000 Sprinter has become the vehicle of choice for 85 per cent of Australian Ambulance services. It might not be as sexy as the new AMG 63 range, but the launch of the new Sprinter is no less important to Benz Down Under.

FEATURES
In the commercial world, what you can put inside is often more important than what you get.

Sprinter is available in three wheelbases (3250, 3665 and 4325mm), four lengths (5.243 to 7.343m) and standard (1650mm), high (1940mm) or a new super-high (2140mm) roof versions. The super-high is available on the long and extra-long wheelbase versions.

GVM (gross vehicle mass) ratings go from 3.55 to 5.0 tonnes, and the vans offer load spaces from 7.5 to 17 cubic metres -- up from a maximum 13.4 cu m on the previous Sprinter.

A second, right-side sliding door is available on request on van versions.

Every new Sprinter comes with electric windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, aircon, remote central locking and driver's airbag.

On manuals, a Start-off Assist hill-start system prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards if the driver's a bit clumsy during a hill start. But by far the most significant feature is that new-generation Electronic Stability Program. This high-tech system measures the mass and centre of gravity of the load being carried and adjusts its intervention parameters -- even if, within reason, things start sliding around in the back.

Integrated with the ESP are the anti-lock brakes, acceleration skid control (ASR) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), giving the Sprinter by far the most sophisticated chassis control on the light/medium commercial vehicle market.

There are myriad storage bins, pouches, compartments, slots, panels, clips and covers in the cabin -- and the glovebox can be chilled too.

Typically Mercedes, there's also an extensive extra-cost options list too -- it offers things like bi-xenon headlamps with a corner-illuminating function, automatic rain and light sensors, closing door assistance, and an electrically-driven sliding door -- and even a keyless entry system, which opens the side door as you approach the vehicle -- useful if you have your arms full.

None of the options are cheap mind you: bi-xenon adds $1570, a set of tyre-pressure monitors add $550 and a Drop-side tray will be about $500.

Coming in mid-2007, super-single rear tyres for the 4.5 tonner vans will allow a greater loading width between the rear wheel arches. The 285/65 R16C tyres take up less room than twin wheels and will allow Sprinter to accommodate a standard-size fork-liftable pallet. The super-single tyres also reduce rolling resistance, claims Benz.

Surprisingly, there is no electronic reverse-parking aid -- sensors or camera.

SAFETY
All seats aboard every Sprinter have three-point seat belts, height-adjustable head restraints and belt force limiters, and the driver's seat and the outer front passenger seat have belt tensioners. A driver's side airbag is standard, while a co-driver's front airbag, thorax bags and windowbags are optional extras -- this deliberate specification aimed at reducing cost for buyers of single-occupant vehicles.

Active safety is handled by the car-like driving stance, mind-reading ESP and uprated brakes (see above), while passive safety is offered by side members and a powertrain design that absorbs impact energy.

The ESP also ties in with other systems like Roll Over Mitigation (ROM), Roll Movement Intervention (RMI) and Understeer Control (USC).

The ROM detects lateral acceleration when cornering reducing engine power and applying the brakes on the relevant wheels. The system is activated in high-risk situations where roll-overs at speed are possible, such as freeway off-ramps. The RMI system aids ESP with engine braking and pinches on various brake discs in situations like sudden evasive manoeuvres. USC enhances stability under heavy understeer, cutting front-end push on corners.

Clever repair systems include bolt-on front ends, replaceable side members and divided sidewall panelling that help to cut the cost of repairing crash damage.

Large rub panels along the sides of the vehicle prevents minor damage costing major money. Inside the load area of the vans, tie-down rings are standard.

Mercedes says the Sprinter's braking distances and crash-test results are similar to its sedan.

MECHANICAL
The five-cylinder engine from the previous model has been dropped and now, three four-cylinder intercooled turbodiesel 2.2-litre engines deliver 65kW (and 220Nm), 80kW and 110kW, while a variable-geometry turbocharged V6 diesel 3.0-litre puts out a respectable 135kW and 400Nm.

The two more powerful four-cylinder engines are fitted with dual-stage turbochargers, an aspect unique in the van segment. Two different-sized turbochargers are mounted one behind the other. At low engine speeds, only by the smaller, fast-responding turbocharger is engaged, while the larger unit just idles. At medium engine speeds, both turbochargers are under pressure and boost pressure is controlled by a bypass and pressure control valve. At high engine speeds only the large turbocharger is active and the smaller blower is bypassed.

Dual-stage turbocharging gives quicker response at low rpm and powerful low-down torque.

The six-cylinder offers class-leading smoothness, thanks to its four-valve, twin overhead camshafts and third-generation common-rail injection technology which operates at a heady pressure of 1600bar.

All the diesel engines are Euro IV emissions compliant, which requires a diesel particulate filter. This traps traditional diesel soot, and periodically cleans itself by heating up and burning off the solid waste.

Piezo-electric injectors have replaced solenoid-controlled injectors. Tiny piezo-electric crystals, consisting of hundreds of layers, expand when electricity is applied to them, opening the injector and squirting in fuel. Piezoelectric injectors respond roughly five times faster than conventional injectors, giving greater precision, reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, and making for quieter engines.

Sprinter gets the choice of Tiptronic-style five-speed auto or a sweet-shifting six-speed manual, both derived from Mercedes' passenger program.

COMPETITORS
Mercedes-Benz has been making commercial vehicles since 1896 -- they invented the genre. Nowdays there are big vans from Renault, Fiat, Ford and, of course, Volkswagen which, while not necessarily offering the technology of the Sprinter, do have their admirers.

Aware of this, DaimlerChrysler's commercial vehicle division has adjusted the specification-levels and claim that for a six per cent increase, buyers are getting 13 per cent more value. Looking at specific models and comparing them like-for-like to the outgoing range, the company claims that the new Sprinter is about five per cent cheaper than the previous generation.

The vast range notwithstanding, a 4x4 model will become available in mid 2007. A 12-seater mini-bus will also soon be in dealers' showrooms.

Sprinter prices start at $39,990 and rise to $62,900.

The variable ratio give the Sprinter a relatively small turning circle -- 12.3m for the 3250mm short-wheelbase version, 13.5m for the medium 3665mm version and 15.6m for the long wheelbase 4325mm models.

The whole vehicle is remarkably car-like to drive -- the driver's stance, light and accurate controls and slick-shifting gearbox make it surprisingly easy. Even the radio has an ambient-volume feature, adjusting itself as speed or sound-levels increase.

The extra power of the bigger engine will be appreciated by operators with heavier loads, such as refrigerated transporters and motorhomes, or those towing big trailers. The other engines will also doubtless find favour with operators who haul lighter loads and general freight.

Steering and shifting like a car, with compliant suspension, more than enough power and legendary Mercedes build-quality, the Sprinter makes even a long day behind the wheel seem hours shorter -- a major advantage.

With extended service intervals -- now 30,000 km -- and the factory-backed three year, 200,000km (taxis excluded) warranty, the Sprinter makes a powerful statement for hard-working long-term reliability.