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 
E.RCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Engines: 2 2-lit 88hp/220Nm, 109hp/280Nm, 129hp/305Nm, 150hp/330Nm; 3.0-lit 184hp/450Nm Transmissions: RWD, 6spd man, 5spd auto GVW: 2,800-5,000kg Wheelbase:3,250-4,325mm Bodies: 4xL, 4xH Load volume: 7.5 17.0W MODELS TESTED/PUBLISHED: 616 16January 2003 311 CDI 10 April 2003 316 AUTO 29 July 2004
311 CDI 27 July 2006 315 23 August 2006 GROUPTEST 22 November 2006
The development of the Sprinter and its doppelganger the VW Crafter come out of a jointventure between Mercedes and VW, although there are a number of differences between the two products, particularly the engines on offer. Mercedes arguably has the most extensive line-up of power options, ranging from a small 88hp 2.2litre diesel through to a 3.5-litre petrol producing an extreme 258hp. The other difference is the styling, with Mercedes opting for smooth lines and a passive appearance.
The Sprinter is a good van and was one of our favourites for the Van of the Year 2007 trophy. Though let down by the tacky plastic on the top of the dash the interior appointment is second to none, with superb storage options, excellent layout of the instrument panel and good seating. Ride and handling have been greatly improved in the current model over its predecessor with the yaw and roll previously a problem now all but eliminated. The engines, particularly the 109hp versions, display all the attributes essential to a fleet machine -good flexibility at low revs, combined with adequate acceleration.
Body options are extensive with the Sprinter and we've been particularly impressed with the 4.0t GVW version, which uses wide, single, low-profile rear tyres to give reduced wheel arch intrusion compared to other similarly sized panel vans.