Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at a glance

The Sprinter covers the large-van class with a choice of panel vans, minibuses, crew cabs, dropside trucks and chassis cabs for special bodies such as ambulances, motorhomes and refrigerated vans. Its main rivals are the Volkswagen Transporter and Crafter, Ford Transit, Renault Master, Iveco Daily and Peugeot Boxer. The rest of the range is in the Mercedes-Benz catalogue.

First generation Sprinter (T1N, 1995–2006)

Development and launch

Development started in 1992, and the Sprinter went on sale in Europe in 1995 as the successor to the T1. It covered gross weights from 2.6 to 4.6 tonnes and, according to the old 1cars text, payloads from about 750 kg to 3,500 kg. It won the International Van of the Year award in its launch year.

Chassis and engineering

The T1N introduced rack-and-pinion steering with standard hydraulic assistance in place of the older steering box, and the front suspension used a transverse leaf spring with MacPherson-type struts. ABS and disc brakes on all four wheels were standard from launch, and electronic stability control became standard in 2002. The rear differential could be locked, and four-wheel-drive versions with a reduction gear followed. According to the old 1cars text, the new spring design extended suspension life by about one and a half times. A dual-mass flywheel with an integrated damper reduced vibration, and long-wheelbase vans received a propeller shaft with two support bearings that lasted about 500,000 km. The outer axle-shaft bearings changed from single-row ball bearings to double-row tapered roller bearings.

First-generation engines

In 2000 the old diesels gave way to cleaner and more economical 2.1 and 2.7 CDI common-rail engines. From 2001 the Sprinter was sold in North America as the Freightliner Sprinter and later the Dodge Sprinter, with the five-speed 5G-Tronic automatic, and in 2003 it received a facelift. According to the old 1cars text, about 1.3 million first-generation Sprinters were sold in 11 years.

Second generation Sprinter (NCV3, 2006–2018)

Bodies and design

The second Sprinter arrived in Europe in 2006 with a wider choice: panel van, minibus, dropside trucks with two or four doors and chassis cabs, three wheelbases and several roof heights. A bolder chrome grille, larger headlights and pronounced wheel arches gave it a more solid look. It was also sold as the Volkswagen Crafter (2006–2017) and in North America as a Dodge and Freightliner, with assembly in South Carolina, Argentina and, from 2014, Algeria.

NCV3 engines and gearboxes

Diesels were paired with the six-speed ECO-Gear manual gearbox and, later, the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic. Rear-wheel drive was standard, and 4x4 versions such as the 313 and 513 BlueTEC 4x4 were offered. The NCV3 was Van of the Year 2007 and 2008 according to Professional Van and Light Truck magazine.

The 2013 facelift

The facelift of September 2013 brought a redesigned grille and bumper, Euro VI BlueTEC diesels with urea injection, and new safety systems. Crosswind Assist brakes individual wheels automatically to counter strong side winds, and optional Collision Prevention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, lane departure warning and adaptive high beam were offered. The interior gained a new dashboard with a larger display and a more modern audio and navigation system; in the nine-seat minibus the luggage space behind the seats is about 140 litres.

NCV3 safety and crash testing

Every second-generation Sprinter has ABS and disc brakes on all four wheels, and traction control was offered with it. The emergency stop signal makes the brake lights flash during hard braking from above 50 km/h and switches on the hazard lights after an emergency stop from 70 km/h. A reinforced front frame absorbs most of the energy in a frontal impact, the steering column collapses in three places. Driver and passenger airbags, side airbags on request and three-point belts on all seats protect occupants. Mercedes tested the van to the ECE R12 frontal impact standard at 48.3 km/h and the ECE R94 offset test at 56 km/h. A separate Duo-Servo drum parking brake on the rear wheels works independently of the service brakes.

Third generation Sprinter (VS30, 2018 to today)

The third Sprinter debuted on 6 February 2018 at Duisburg and went on sale in June 2018. For the first time it offered front-wheel drive alongside rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, and production in Ladson, South Carolina, started in September 2018. Engines included the 2.1 OM651 and 3.0 OM642 V6 diesels until 2022, the newer 2.0 OM654 diesel and a 2.0 M274 turbo petrol, with outputs from 116 to 188 hp (SAE) in North American versions. ANCAP rated the 2024 Sprinter and eSprinter at 89% (Platinum).

eSprinter

The first eSprinter has a gross weight of 3,500 kg and carries up to 1,040 kg with the smaller battery. The second-generation eSprinter uses Mercedes' Electric Versatility Platform with a rear-mounted motor and LFP batteries and is sold in Europe and North America.

Rivals: how the Sprinter compares

Compared with the Ford Transit, Renault Master and Iveco Daily, the Sprinter offers more drive layouts, a strong safety package and a wide choice of bodies and conversions. Its weaknesses are higher prices, expensive options and, on older vans, corrosion. For Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks, see the Mercedes-Benz Actros.