Truck Topics

A New Sprinter for 2007

By Jeff Jensen, Editor
Posted Apr 10th 2006 3:05PM

sprinter-vans_001.jpgHas the DaimlerChrysler Sprinter van, which has found acceptance with the owner-operators of expedited trucking, replaced the conventional American-style cargo van?

The answer would seem to be...not just yet. 

DaimlerChrysler reported selling almost 164,000 Sprinter vans worldwide in 2005, including just over 28,000 trucks in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with more than 18,000 sold in the United States.  Compare that U.S. figure to the 54,858 Ram Vans and Ram Wagons sold or leased in 2001 - the last regular sales year for the full-size Dodge vans.

And, the DC product still faces determined competition from Chevy/GMC and Ford, who sold a combined total of341,893 full-size vans in 2005.  That's market share.

sprinter-vans2.jpgArguably, it takes time for a new van to gain wide acceptance by what is considered to be a conservative group of buyers, but  industry analyst Bill Cawthon has listed some possible areas of sales resistance to the Sprinter:

*The Sprinter is still a marked departure from competing full-size vans from Ford and GM.

*It's been available with a diesel engine only, sometimes a tough sell.

*The Sprinter's European styling is still considered "unconventional" by some.

*It has a higher sticker price than vans from Ford or GM.

However, the Sprinter has carved out its own niche, or as Cawthon puts it, "Still, it's a lot better than the 5500-6000 Sprinters per year envisioned by DC just a couple of years ago."

Is it possible for a vehicle introduced to the U.S. market just five years ago, to be in need of a makeover?

Well, DaimlerChrysler (DC) seems to feel that it might be time for some changes.  After all, the Sprinter was first introduced to the European market in 1995 and it hasn't changed appreciably since.  Since its introduction to the U.S. market in 2001, the most noticeable upgrade (besides correcting the, by now, legendary EGR problem), has been the change from 15" to 16" rims.

That lack of change is about to change. 

DaimlerChrysler marked the 10th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with the introduction at the end of January of a completely updated 2006 model that features, among other changes, three new engines, including a gasoline model, new interiors and more sophisticated safety systems.

Production of the European and international versions of the 2006 Sprinter began in March, but the new model will not be available to the U.S. market until 2007, sold under the Dodge nameplate, says DaimlerChrysler Vans, the U.S. sales and marketing arm for the Sprinter.

sprinter-vans3.jpgAll American Sprinter commercial vans are still assembled in the Freightliner Custom Chassis plant in Gaffney, South Carolina which is running all-out to produce enough Sprinters to meet demand.  With the new van, however, comes a new factory.

DaimlerChrysler has invested about $2.1 billion  developing this latest van version, and it will be produced at a 460,000 square foot Ladson, SC plant.  DC is spending $35 million to convert the plant to van production that will initially employ 220 workers.  The first of the new vans are scheduled to roll off the line in the last quarter of 2006.

"We have ambitious, long-term plans for the van market in North America," stated Dr. Rolf Bartke, head of DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz Vans business unit. The Ladson location will provide an immediate increase in annual output to 32,000 units, roughly 10,000 more than is possible today in Gaffney.  He called the move to
Ladson "a first step to react to market demand" for the Sprinter.

Specifications
The Sprinter is offered in three basic gross vehicle weight ratings - approx. 6,600, 7,700 and 11,000 pounds - but 8,500 and 10,140 pound GVW ratings can also be spec'd, according to the company.

The van is available in three wheelbases (127.9, 144.2 and 170.2 inches) and four body lengths (17 to 24 feet).  Three skids and a sleeper?
 
If you thought the original Sprinter's tall roof was long-overdue in a commercial van, just wait.  The new van features three roof heights (65 inches, 76.3 inches and a new higher roof, called Super High, at 84.2 inches, 7.8 inches higher than the previous high roof).
The combination of the long wheelbase, long body and high roof expands the maximum cargo space to 17 cubic meters from the current 13.

Powerplants
DaimlerChrysler discarded the Sprinter's in-line five cylinder diesel and is offering two diesels and a gasoline model in the new version.
 
The standard diesel for the European vans is a four-cylinder 2.14-liter engine with four power ratings (88, 109, 129 and 150 horsepower). The two higher ratings come with dual turbochargers for better boost pressure increase at low rpm and better low-end torque and response, said the company.
 
The larger 3.0L V6 diesel will provide a maximum 184 hp with 295 pound-feet of torque.
 
The new, 3.5L V6 gasoline engine is rated at 258 hp and will be available as an option in most models. Company officials said they hope the gasoline version will make the van appealing to a wider audience and provide a competitive product for U.S. minivan and small cargo van customers.
 
While the European vans will offer a manual transmission as standard, the U.S. version will keep the five-speed automatic currently used.

The diesel-powered models will meet the 2007 U.S. standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to company officials. The diesels utilize diesel particulate filters (DPF's) in the exhaust to lower soot emissions.  According to DC, the engines will be able to run almost 29,000 miles between oil changes.
 
The addition of the DPFs add about $600 to the price of the van, but Georg Weiberg, chief engineer for Mercedes-Benz Vans, noted that the market and competition often determine final retail prices.

Other features
All of the new models will come standard with an advanced electronic stability control program the company is calling Adaptive ESP.  This system will measure the weight of the vehicle's load, calculate the center of gravity and "adapt its responses correspondingly."
 
Halogen headlamps are standard, but the optional bi-xenon headlights also include a cornering light as standard. The cornering light adds extra illumination when turning, either in city traffic under 25 mph or on highway driving up to about 45 mph.

The van features keyless entry as well as a driver hands-free option that automatically opens either the driver door or the side sliding door when the driver approaches if his hands are full. The system also automatically closes the doors as the driver walks away.

And, from a DC press release, "Another noteworthy feature is the new interior concept with even better ergonomics and a substantial increase in stowage areas inside the driver's cab."

 Caldwell Dodge

Grieger Motor Sales