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ON YOUR MARKS..
Page 29
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GET SET... SPRINT!
Hot on the heels of the new Ford Transit, Mercedes has taken the wraps off the latest incarnation of the Sprinter.
We report from Germany on the main changes...
fillercedes new Sprinter is the latest van to he unveiled ahead of the Birmingham truck show in April. And in many ways it appears to have the drop on Ford, particularly in its range of features.
We look forward to driving the new Sprinter in March, hut a static view is enough to grasp the improvements Merc has achieved for its €1.8m. M-B claims improvements to space, power.safety,comfort and design.
The Sprinter line-up now includes an extrahigh-roof model with a 2.14m ceiling height. With long wheelbase and long body, this matches the Ivcco Daily with a stunning 17m' of load space.G VW now stretches from three to five tonnes with a maximum payload of 2,440kg.Wide-single (285/65R16) tyres on the 4.6-tonner's drive axle increase the space between the wheelarches to 1,288mm with a claimed fuel economy benefit.
Side loading doors are wider and a new keyless entry uses driver-recognition technology to automatically open and close the sliding door when the driver approaches. Upholding its dubious reputation as the fastest panel van on the road, the four-pot 2.1-litre CD! turbodiesel line-up is now offered in four ratings from 88 to 150hp, with the highest producing an improved 330Nm.A number of competitors are offering between 350 and 400Nm, so for Sprinter users who don't want to he outdone there's an all-new 184hp/400Nm V6 turbo-diesel available.
Transmission revamp
While the new I id li-ansit loses its auto completely, Mercedes is dropping the automated Sprintshift in favour of the carderived live-speed full-auto box.'The six-speed manual remains as standard.
Following the industry trend. Mercedes has treated the Sprinter to a car-like interior makeover although the effect is spoilt by the use of hard,eheap black plastic.'There are plenty of storage options, and a welcome adjustable steering column.
Outside, a restyled grille gives the Sprinter a more aggressive look (albeit still softer than the transit) while new wing mirrors incorporate expensive-looking indicators. •