Smartphones are what Mercedes-Benz wants you lot to cry back of when you lot await at its novel Sprinter van. Not only because of the large touchscreen display inwards the dashboard, but because the novel Sprinter represents a technological boundary over the simpler hardware that came before, from analog to digital, isolated to connected.
We're reminded to a greater extent than of a tablet (in a reinforced, professional-grade ballistic case). When Apple released the commencement iPad inwards 2010, approximately of us wondered what the indicate was; it looked similar an oversize iPod Touch. But fourth dimension has shown that the tablet is to a greater extent than nearly what you lot produce alongside it than what it is. And as well as hence it is alongside the novel Sprinter.
Harder Hardware
The third-generation Sprinter is the latest inwards a describe that commencement debuted inwards 1995, reached the U.S. marketplace inwards 2001, as well as launched inwards its electrical flow iteration inwards 2006. Mercedes has made approximately 3.4 1 M k of them to date—most wearing the three-pointed silvery star, but they’ve also been sold every bit Freightliners, Dodges, as well as fifty-fifty Volkswagens.
The Dodges as well as VWs are no longer constituent of the equation, but diversity silent is. With multiple torso styles, torso lengths, cab designs, payload ratings, load-compartment heights, as well as drivetrain layouts, Mercedes says its novel van volition offering no fewer than 1700 unlike configurations. That's non fifty-fifty including engine, color, seating, as well as HVAC choices.
On a global basis, the novel Sprinter volition hold upward offered alongside ii turbo-diesel engine options: a 2.1-liter inline-four as well as a 3.0-liter six, alongside outputs ranging from 114 to 190 horsepower. There volition hold upward a gasoline alternative offered for the U.S. marketplace every bit well, although details of that offering haven’t been released. Mercedes also unveiled the battery-powered eSprinter, which adapts its powertrain from the smaller eVito launched inwards Europe this past times November.
Depending on the engine, buyers volition select from a six-speed manual, seven-speed automatic, or nine-speed automatic transmission. And 3 drivetrain configurations are on offer: rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or (for the commencement time) front-wheel drive. Neither the manual nor the front-wheel-drive version volition hold upward offered inwards the States. But inwards markets where it will, the front-driver volition hold upward both lighter as well as cheaper than the rear-wheel-drive models as well as is claimed to offering ameliorate traction as well as treatment (particularly nether lighter loads) every bit good every bit a lower charge flooring as well as a higher maximum payload.
The novel Sprinter also volition come upward inwards panel van, rider van, bus, pickup, chassis cab, as well as tractor caput versions. That modularity volition aid Mercedes ameliorate cater to a seemingly endless array of purposes as well as applications; the Sprinter tin tow upward to 7700 pounds, haul to a greater extent than than 6600 pounds, or carry every bit many every bit xix passengers (plus driver). Coachbuilders (which convert nearly one-half of all novel Sprinters sold) hope to extend its versatility fifty-fifty farther into RVs, nutrient trucks, as well as other commercial applications.
Softer Software
While making the Sprinter to a greater extent than capable as well as adaptable, Mercedes didn't forget nearly the driver. The novel model promises to hold upward to a greater extent than comfortable, to a greater extent than ergonomic, quieter, as well as safer than the 1 it replaces.
To fix living alongside the novel Sprinter easier on both drivers as well as passengers, Mercedes has equipped it alongside features such every bit inductive smartphone charging, to a greater extent than USB ports, keyless ignition, ameliorate air conditioning, to a greater extent than stowage compartments, a driver's spot designed to salve dorsum strain, as well as a steering bike lifted from Mercedes rider cars. Many of the advanced security features for which those luxury cars are known also receive got institute their agency into the large van, which tin hold upward had alongside automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, a driver-drowsiness monitor, crosswind compensation, as well as parking assist, along alongside an around-view camera, adaptive cruise control, as well as LED headlamps.
The star of the novel Sprinter's cabin, however, is the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. Following the freshly unveiled A-class, the Sprinter is the minute model to teach the brand’s novel multimedia system. With a selection of 7.0- or 10.3-inch touchscreen displays, the arrangement handles the common navigation, music, as well as communication functions; responds to vocalism commands; networks alongside smartphones through Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, as well as Android Auto; as well as offers a high-speed LTE meshing connection. But it also serves every bit the hub for the novel Mercedes Pro Connect suite, as well as that's what stands to plow the Sprinter from an analog machine into the centerpiece of a connected digital ecosystem.
Through a serial of packages available from the factory, Pro Connect helps drivers as well as fleet managers non entirely rail the location of their vehicles, but monitor their fuel levels as well as maintenance status every bit good every bit hold tabs on who's using which van as well as for what purpose. The arrangement helps schedule service as well as maintenance; record, file, analyze, as well as confine vehicle usage; facilitate communication betwixt drivers inwards the champaign as well as managers at the office; as well as allow multiple users to lock as well as unlock the doors remotely. It's all integrated into 1 arrangement embedded inwards the vehicle, designed to aid drivers, tradespeople, service technicians, as well as fleet managers teach to a greater extent than out of their vehicles as well as their fourth dimension on the job. And in 1 lawsuit the eSprinter hits the market, Pro Connect volition aid deal charging every bit well.
Sprinters, Take Your Marks
Mercedes-Benz van dealers inwards Europe are straight off accepting orders for deliveries that volition start inwards June. The zero-emissions eSprinter is laid to follow sometime adjacent year. It’s priced starting at the equivalent of nearly $24,400 earlier taxation for the entry-level, front-drive model, as well as pricing on the novel model inwards FRG truly undercuts the electrical flow model past times approximately $1200. With improved fuel economy, longer service intervals, as well as time-saving technologies, the novel Sprinter promises to hold upward cheaper to run, too. And although the fresh pattern may non hold upward a prime number consideration for professionals, the novel model’s looks surely won't hinder Daimler's seek to attract novel customers as well as encourage existing owners to merchandise up.
More information on availability as well as specifications inwards the the States volition hold upward released earlier the novel Sprinter arrives at U.S. Mercedes as well as Freightliner dealers sometime earlier the goal of this year.
Work is currently underway inwards Charleston, South Carolina, on a novel assembly describe to fix the novel Sprinter for U.S. consumption. In the meantime, the commencement to attain these shores will, similar the electrical flow model, locomote along to hold upward assembled inwards Düsseldorf, Germany, earlier existence partially disassembled into knock-down kits for reassembly at the expanding South Carolina facility.
Get the Best Deal on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Source : caranddriver