German version

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Minibuses Family

What began in 1998, with a minority shareholding in a niche manufacturer, has developed into a real success story thanks to systematic further development: today Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH is the leading minibus manufacturer in western Europe. The 20,000th minibus was recently delivered. At the same time Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The minibus segment has an increasingly important role for Mercedes-Benz as a full-line manufacturer. While low passenger numbers are making profitable transport using large buses more difficult, the hour has come for minibuses bearing the Mercedes star. With the new Sprinter, the Euro VI emission standard, even more cost-effective engines and further assistance systems have made their entry into the range of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses – the largest range in the competitive lineup. At the same time Mercedes-Benz has further expanded the model range produced in Dortmund, with further development of the Transfer and Travel equipment lines.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 35

New, striking appearance, minibus range fully compliant with Euro VI

The minibuses bearing the Mercedes star benefit from the visually much sharper profile of the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Whether by virtue of the more upright radiator grille with perforated, arrow-shaped louvres, the much more defined headlamps or the distinctive front bumper – the new Sprinter has an unmistakably new look.

One of the highlights is the engine: It is the first van to feature a full range of engines complying with the Euro VI emission standard. These are based on the well-proven BlueTec engine technology familiar from the heavy-duty
Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles for almost ten years, with AdBlue injection and an SCR catalytic converter. The engines themselves are unchanged in terms of basic architecture, output and torque curves.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 65

Engine power unchanged, improved refinement

The development engineers have however used the step-up to Euro VI to improve the injection process, combustion and charge pressure. The result is a low fuel consumption and lower combustion noise. Modifying the pre-injection has also led to further improved refinement. In addition, the driving characteristics influenced by load cycles with manual and automatic transmissions have been noticeably further improved. All these are comfort factors that particularly benefit the driver and passengers in Sprinter minibuses.

The diesel engine range continues to centre on the OM 651 four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2.2 l and an output ranging from 70 kW (95 hp) to 120 kW (163 hp). The only six-cylinder engine to be found in a European van is a further technical masterpiece, the V6 with a displacement of 3.0 l and an output of 140 kW (190 hp).

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 77

Fuel consumption reduced by numerous measures

Numerous measures lower the fuel consumption of the new Sprinter. These include e.g. intelligent alternator management, an electric fuel pump or the freewheel function of the optional air conditioning. Friction losses in the six-speed manual transmission are reduced by low-friction oil.

The 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with torque converter – the world's only seven-speed automatic to be installed in a van – now has newly configured shift points and is available in conjunction with an ECO start/stop function.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Mobility 23

The rear axle is also subject to less friction and helps to reduce fuel consumption, as does the efficiency package BlueEfficiency. The service intervals for the engines have increased to up to 60,000 km.

Changing the minibuses over to the Euro VI emission standard has been gradually under way since mid-2013 for the Transfer, Travel and Mobility lines. The City models were changed over to the new emission standard in early 2014.

New assistance systems improve the level of safety

A whole host of new assistance systems helps to prevent accidents: Crosswind Assist, Proximity Warning Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Highbeam Assist, as well as Lane Keeping Assist. Depending on the model, gross vehicle weight and variant, these are also available for the Mercedes-Benz minibuses to further enhance their exemplary and unrivalled level of safety.

The driver will also welcome the new, high-grip steering wheel and a seat with new upholstery. The same applies to the new radio generation with numerous different input ports, a telephone keypad and directory, as well as the new Becker MAP PILOT navigation system with inconspicuous installation in the glove compartment and a removable navigation module.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Mobility 45

New models, further advanced interior and exterior

In the course of the changeover to the new Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz also developed the Sprinter Transfer and Travel model series further. The new roofliner elegantly spans and integrates the frames of the roof vent and roof.

The skylight, roof vent and roof-mounted air conditioning systems are likewise new, as are the shrouds of the air conditioning units. The redesigned lighting strips are now in LED technology.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 34

The luggage shelves are also new, as are the service sets with reading lamps and air vents in the Sprinter Travel. Passengers will also welcome the new seat bases in the models based on modified panel vans.

The new Sprinter Mobility 35 and Sprinter Mobility 45 variants for passengers with restricted mobility provide two particularly strong models with gross vehicle weights of 5.0 t or up to 5.3 t and twin tyres at the rear axle.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses: Model range

The minibus range is divided into four product lines, Sprinter Mobility, Sprinter Transfer, Sprinter City and Sprinter Travel. The designations refer to the different areas of application: The Sprinter Mobility is the specialist for carrying passengers with restricted mobility. The Sprinter Transfer is an all-rounder suitable for inter-city and regular-service assignments, as well as transfer services. The Sprinter City is a range of highly specialised minibuses for regular service, while the Sprinter Travel is a comfortable touring coach range.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 45

Depending on the version, the minibuses are based on the Sprinter panel van, the panel van with an independent bus rear-end or on the Sprinter chassis with an independent body. The Sprinter City 77 with its separate low frame and tandem rear axle has a special status. All in all, the wide minibus portfolio currently has 16 left-hand drive and 8 right-hand drive variants.

The two-digit model code indicates the length and tonnage. The first digit defines the length (2 = Sprinter with medium wheelbase, 3 = long wheelbase, 4 = long wheelbase, long rear overhang, 5 = long wheelbase, extended rear end, 6 = independent body, two axles, 7 = independent body, three axles). The second digit gives the permissible gross vehicle weight (3 = 3.5 t, 4 = 4.0 t, 5 = 5.0 - 5.65 t, 7 = 6.8 t).

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 55

Photos and text:
Daimler AG