Mercedes updates the Sprinter

With new engines, a new transmission, and a new all-wheel drive system, Mercedes-Benz has given its Sprinter commercial vehicles a comprehensive update that promises increased driving comfort

At the heart of the change is the adoption of the 2-litre OM654 diesel engine, which is already familiar from the Mercedes passenger car portfolio and the smaller Vito van.

The four-cylinder unit will be available in up to four different outputs – depending on the drive and body variant selected – 114bhp, 150bhp, 170bhp and 190bhp. All versions meet the relevant emissions standards, Euro VI-E or Euro 6d. The new power units also boast improved noise and vibration compared with the previous 2.1-litre and 3-litre engines.

Smoother running characteristics and greater pulling power is claimed for the new versions, while the combination of an aluminium block and steel pistons, as well as the Nanoslide cylinder coating for reduced in-engine friction, are said to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

The Sprinter will also offer the optional 9G-Tronic automatic transmission in all its variants, supplementing the (unchanged) six-speed manual transmission. The nine-speed automatic was previously available on front-wheel drive Sprinters but not the rear-wheel drive and 4x4 models, where the 7G-Tronic Plus was previously offered.

With nine gears, the engine speeds are kept low in almost all driving situations, which means considerable savings in fuel consumption and noticeably reduced vibration and noise. Optimised hydraulic elements also enable fast gear changes with virtually no interruption of tractive power. DriveSelect and shift paddles on the steering wheel allow the driver to intervene manually.

Another new technical feature is a new torque-on-demand all-wheel drive system in the Sprinter 4x4. This will replace the current system in which four-wheel drive is manually engaged. Unlike the old engageable system, which fed 35% of the torque to the front and 65% to the rear axle in 4x4 mode, this new version can distribute the drive variably between the front and rear axles, depending on the situation and without any input from the driver.

Fully variable torque distribution is ensured by an electronically controlled multiplate clutch integrated into the transfer case. If the multiplate clutch is disengaged in normal driving operation, the vehicle reverts entirely to rear-wheel drive.

A further advantage is that the new 4x4 system works much more quietly. If there is a risk of understeering or oversteering under load, the torque is first distributed so that the vehicle is stabilised again. Only if these measures do not help to diffuse the situation do the control systems, ESP or 4ETS, intervene.

 

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The new Sprinter 4x4 will soon be available as standard in combination with the 190bhp engine and 9G-Tronic automatic transmission – and up to a gross weight of 5.5 tonnes.

Dr Ulf Zillig, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Vans, comments,

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