Sprinter first for safety

One of Australia’s safest light commercial vehicles is now even safer, with Mercedes-Benz introducing a raft of electronic driver aids from its passenger car range to its latest Sprinter large van.

Adding up to $2400 to the cost of the already premium-priced van, the new optional safety features are in some cases ‘firsts’ for the van segment and add to the Sprinter’s already impressive safety suite including up to four airbags and a recently upgraded electronic stability control (ESC) system.

Among the new passive safety features available is Lane Keeping Assist, which uses downward-facing cameras to pick up when the vehicle crosses lane markers without evidence of intent through the indicator, accelerator or brake, warning the driver with an audible signal.

Adaptive High Beam Assist maintains high-beam until its sensors detect oncoming traffic, at which point it switches to low-beam until light levels ahead drop enough for it to switch back up again.

Blind-Spot Assist uses sensors and warning lights in the wing mirrors to alert drivers to the presence of other vehicles in blind spots on either side. If it detects an intention to change lanes through the indicator, it adds a warning beep.

Collision Prevention Assist combines an audible proximity warning and primes the brake assist systems when it detects the vehicle bearing down on another.

Also available on most Sprinter van variants is the active Crosswind Assist feature which relies on the stability control (ESC) system to compensate for crosswind gusts at speeds of 80km/h or more, saving drivers the strain of counter-steering.

The new safety options are available as packages on most Sprinter variants, however, Crosswind Assist is not yet available on short-wheelbase, cab chassis and Super high roof van variants.

Mercedes-Benz says not having the feature available on the van most susceptible to crosswinds was not a big issue in Australia, with only one per cent of Sprinter buyers opting for the Super high roof.

On Sprinter vans, the Driving Assistance Package costs $2400 and includes Collision Prevention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and High Beam Assist. The Lane Tracking Package ($1800) has all of the above except the Collision Prevention system.

Mercedes-Benz expects up to 50 per cent of new Sprinter buyers to opt for one of the safety packages, which it believes will help boost sales of its large van. The Sprinter has been Australia’s best-selling large van since 2010, with 2204 sales in 2012, and a current market share of about 35 per cent.

“There’s still some cars on sale in Australia and New Zealand that don’t have ESP (ESC), and a lot of cars that are on sale with ESP do not have ESP that matches (the Sprinter’s adaptive ESP),” said Mercedes-Benz Australia Senior Manager Corporate Communications David McCarthy at this week’s launch of the updated Sprinter at the Mt Cotton Driver Training Centre in Queensland.

“So that’s why with all the active and the passive safety we call (the Sprinter) Australia’s safest workplace. I just wish that all manufacturers had the same commitment to safety that we do...”

Otherwise, the Sprinter is little changed apart from external styling tweaks including a redesigned grille, more angular headlights, and higher bonnet for improved pedestrian protection. The chassis has also been lowered to improve handling and fuel economy as well as make it easier to load and unload cargo.   

Inside, improvements include new wool fleece trim and better cushioning for the front seats, and a thicker steering wheel, while the colour touch-screen display gets the latest ‘Audio 15’ ntertainment system, with Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and optional reversing camera and Becker sat-nav system.

The Sprinter continues to be offered in van, cab-chassis and mini bus variants, in three wheelbases (3250/3665/4325mm), three roof heights (1650/1940/2140mm internal, the latter on LWB only) and rear- and four-wheel drive. Van versions offer cargo volume from 7.5 to 17 cubic metres and bus versions up to 12 seats.

While overseas iterations get engine updates pushing the Sprinter to Euro 6 emissions compliance, Aussie-spec vans retain the four-diesel, Euro 5-compliant  line-up: 70kW/250Nm, 95kW/305Nm and 120kW/360Nm fours, plus a 140kW/440Nm V6.

Also carried over is a choice of six-speed manual or Benz’s 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission with lock-up clutch – claimed by the company to be the only auto of its kind available in a large van. Introduced in 2012, the seven-speed auto is now fitted to around 80 per cent of all Sprinters sold Down Under.

With the new safety features available as options, Mercedes-Benz has maintained current pricing on ‘base’ Sprinter variants, kicking off at $44,290 for the 70kW 310CDI SWB manual, rising to $69,480 for the 140kW, 519CDI LWB auto with dual rear wheels.

Subject to eight million test drive kilometres, the latest Sprinter also has improvements to rust protection and body sealing and is covered by a 12-year corrosion warranty.

Buyers of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles can also look forward to an expanded nationwide dealer network, with 15 new dealer sites planned to cover more remote areas, adding to the existing 51-strong network.

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