1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202 
ONE COOL CUSTOMER
Page 64
Page 65
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
It's been around longer than Kylie but the Sprinter is still strutting its stuff, this time in the chilled food department.
But is it cool enough for you? Julian Miiines reports.
Over the past decade the nation's taste for more exotic and diverse food and the rise of urban 'Local and 'Metro' stores from the major supermarkets has changed the nature of perishable food distribution.
More delicate products and smaller delivery quantities have driven the need for smaller, more manoeuvrable vehicles, which can cut through town traffic but are advanced enough to deliver refrigerated goods without scrimping on the quality of refrigeration. With such specific demands — and regulations — to adhere to, poor standards will be cruelly exposed.
We've grown to respect Mercedes' Sprinter for its user friendly driving manners and solid build quality. It's also been noted for a diverse model range that includes a panel can,chassiscab, Dualiner (second row of seats) and minibus. Now it's added a refrigerated panel van for inner-city work, where size is crucial.
Based on the 311CDI,it sports a 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 109hp with 270Nm of torque. It's available as a chiller van with a temperature range of 0-12°C or a freezer van that operates from 0°C down to -20°C.
The refrigeration compartment is manufactured from a single mould which is said to give excellent insulation characteristics: Mercedes claims it matches the insulation properties of 4.5m of masonry. The electrically powered fridge works independently of the Sprinter's engine so there are no emissions when loading and unloading.A backup battery keeps things cool when the engine is switched off The conversion is made and installed by Kerstner in Germany:This sort of Maximum torque: 270Nm at 1,400-2,400rpm engineering doesn't come Transmission: Five-speed manual cheap, but for £29,505, you do Load volume: 7.8m3 get a comprehensive package.
Load box: Length, 3,050mm; height, 1,657mm;
Productivity
While no records were broken when it came to fuel consumption. the Sprinter produced a respectable 26.4mpg round our test route when fully laden.That's really not bad for a relatively heavy vehicle with a lump on the roof, and improved when unladen to 29mpg.
With a load area of 7.8m' there's a useful amount of cargo space coupled with a payload of 1,075kg that should allow plenty of scope with regard to overall carrying capability:The load area is well designed and can accommodate Euro pallets; both the cargo space floor and side rubbing strip are made of aluminium to avoid damage when loading and unloading. And different goods demand different storage temperatures so partitions can be fitted to create different temperature zones Telescopic shelving is employed to maximise the load area, operated via a pneumatic spring which locks into position at the required height. When not in use it's stored below the root Because food will be the reefer Sprinter's staple cargo, it's essential that the load area can be cleaned quickly and to a high standard.The insulation fittings are designed to be cleaned easily and a drainage system is integrated into the floor of the cargo bay as standard. Worthwhile (but optional) features are the anti-stain coating that stops dirt clinging to the surface and a self-cleaning (rotating spray head) system that is designed to reach all corners of the load area.These are ideal for constant, but consistently hygienic,use.
Temperature is set via a control pad mounted in the cab which can readily be set, monitored and adjusted.A software package is also available to store the operating status of the refrigeration system for several days.The data is recalled via a notebook computer and a printer can also be connected.
On the road
The Sprinter may be a little dated but it's still an easy drive considering its size. Mercedes claims the refrigeration unit does not impair the vehicle's agility and we're willing to agree. It may not turn in with gusto but the steering is precise and capable enough to provide adequate feedback and it holds the road in a positive manner. High-speed cruising is fussfree; the plot feels steady with little interference from crosswinds. The engine pulls well enough from low down thanks to a decent spread of torque; it's also willing to rev through the range without crying when pushed (unlike the CM test team).
Town driving is right up the Sprinter's alley: relaxing with a tight turning circle and good all-round vision from the cab. It's all eminently functional though the seating position is fairly upright ,which can get a little uncomfortable for taller drivers as the bulkhead restricts rearward seat movement.
The dash is well laid out with easy-to-read dials including the refrigeration controls which are mounted centrally above the windscreen. The fridge has a clear digital readout and its controls are easy to operate. •