Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Walkarounds
Mercedes-Benz brought four Sprinter 2500 passenger vans to Bobit Business Media on March 25 to go over the new engine, grille and other features on the 2014-MY. (Stay tuned for a cargo and crew van gallery coming soon.)
This is the extended length model with a wheelbase of 170-in., which is available only as a high-roof model.
Looking into the rear of the extended-length passenger van shows ample cargo space while seating 12 passengers. Payload capacity for this model is a maximum of 2,422 lbs.
With the high roof, this passenger model has a maximum interior standing height of 76.4-in.
This is the short wheelbase Sprinter 2500 passenger van with the high roof, which has the same 76.4-inch standing height as the long wheelbase. This model comes in at a 144-in. wheelbase.
The doors include more cargo space options and open 270-degrees.
This Sprinter 2500 includes the optional side door passenger step.
This is the low-roof passenger van model on the Sprinter 2500 in the 144-in. wheelbase. This version has a maximum payload capacity of 2,864 lbs.
The low-roof models have a maximum interior standing height of 65-in.
Bobit editor Stephane Babcock looks at the new standard BlueTEC clean diesel engine — a 2.1L I-4 engine mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission in the U.S. and Canada. The engine is rated at 161 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque.
The interior of these 2500 passenger vans shows all the bells and whistles and optional packages.
Several driver cargo areas are available, including this overhead shelf.
Utilizing the lower door area is another compartment the driver can latch close.
Antje Williams, department manager, Sprinter brand management of Mercedes-Benz USA is an expert on all things Sprinter, and played a key role in the latest Sprinter redesign.
This is the standard side step-in on the long wheelbase passenger van, which seats 12 passengers.
The high roof, extended passenger van leaves enough room for walk-in use (Bobit Business Media editors not included).
The rear doors of all the passenger vans are held open by heavy-duty, U.S.-grade magnets to prevent the doors from closing in high winds.
The short wheelbase van can seat up to 12 passengers and has a maximum payload capacity of 2,803 lbs.
This is the optional engine on the Sprinter 2500 — the 3.0L V6 diesel engine, which is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine is rated at 188 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque.
Adding to available driver comfort features are these USB and auxiliary audio jacks and cargo space atop the driver dash.
Presenting at the event was Claus Tritt, general manager, operations, commercial vans for Mercedes-Benz USA, who has been with the company for 27 years.
During a Q&A, Mercedes-Benz speakers took some informal time to let editors dive deeper into topics, such as where the company sees the market direction of the full-size van segment. Pictured from left to right is Tritt, Williams and Christian Bokich, department manager, product and technology communications.