Mercedes-Benz has announced some major specification and safety upgrades to its Sprinter van and cab chassis range, which the company says will comprehensive boost value, while adding an all-electric eSprinter, which the company says is now available in Australia
The company says that the 2024 Sprinter range includes new standard safety features including extra airbags, active driving assistants, and a touch-sensitive steering wheel with hands-off detection.
Mercedes says the new Sprinter also protects other road users even more effectively with two new systems to better scan for hazards at the front and side of the vehicle during set-off, and in low-speed driving, while also offering improved comfort and convenience upgrades, including a next-gen MBUX multimedia system with 10.25-inch touch screen, plus new features to help drivers get the job done more efficiently.
The Sprinter upgrade also means that for the first time in Australia, buyers can now choose the eSprinter electric panel van featuring a powerful and efficient all-electric drivetrain.
The market leading Sprinter van and cab chassis range has been extensively overhauled with the new 2024 model, including a swathe of extra safety technologies as well as some significant new comfort and convenience features, plus extra benefits helping drivers to work more efficiently.
Mercedes-Benz says it will again offer a comprehensive range of model variants to fit the needs of business, incorporating van and cab chassis styles; medium, long and extra-long wheelbases; a choice of roof height in vans; and four turbo-diesel engines, as well as the all-electric drivetrain, which will only be in panel van variants.
The Sprinter range also includes for the first time includes thorax-protecting airbags as standard, supplementing the existing frontal and side head-protecting airbags for both driver and passenger.
Mercedes says active safety has been extended by new features including Active Lane Keeping Assist, which can guide the vehicle back into its lane, and Traffic Sign Assist, which monitors real-world speed signs and displays the current speed limit on the digital dashboard.
The new Sprinter models get rain-sensing wipers and automatic tyre pressure monitoring as standard features for-2024 while there has been a significant increase in fuel tank capacity, from 71 to 93 litres, increasing driving range.
The comprehensive list of features also includes standard ADAPTIVE Electronic Stability Program(ESP), Hill-Start Assist, Acceleration Skid Control, anti-lock brakes, Crosswind Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Enhanced Understeer Control, Load Adaptive Control, Roll-Over Mitigation, and trailer stabilisation.
Along with carryover standard safety including DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control, Active Brake Assist, Blind Spot Assist (panel van variants only), Attention Assist, Headlight Assist, and Adaptive Brake Light, the 2024 Sprinter range offers occupants exceptional safety and peace of mind.
The new Sprinters also get new leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheels incorporating touch pads and hands-off detection, to ensure that the driver remains in control of the vehicle at all times, while a Parking Package with standard rear-view camera is offered on all models .
Mercedes says it has also included a range of new alerts which offer extra protection for other road users
The 2024 Sprinter range moving off information assist, which utilises a camera mounted in the radiator grille, plus six ultrasonic sensors, to monitor an area 3.7 metres in front of the steered direction of the vehicle and 0.5 metres to the side. This is automatically activated at startup, and remains active up to 10 km/h.
If a road user is detected in the monitored area, the driver is alerted by audible and visual signals. This function can be a particularly useful tool as the driver may be watching for other hazards whilst pulling out into traffic. Moving Off Information Assist replaces the former Drive Away Assist function, increasing the forward detection area from 1.0 to 3.7 metres.
The range also includes Sideguard Assist, which provides extended detection in the blind spot on the passenger side of the Sprinter. An additional short-range radar sensor embedded in the bumper on the passenger side combines with two rear radar sensors utilised by Blind Spot Assist, to warn the driver if a moving object is detected in the monitored zone. A red warning symbol is initially shown in the exterior mirror, and if a collision risk is detected, the symbol flashes and sounds an audible warning.
The Sideguard Assist feature supplements and extends the protection provided by Blind Spot Assist, which is activated at speeds above 30 km/h. Sideguard Assist is active when the vehicle is stationary and at low speeds, providing a much needed extra set of eyes during parking, low-speed manoeuvring, in tight city environments, and in traffic congestion.
Mercedes-Benz says for many drivers, their vehicle is an office on wheels, and an environment in which they will spend a large portion of their workday. With this in mind, it has upgraded key comfort and convenience features to make a number of everyday tasks easier and more intuitive.
All models are now fitted with the next-generation NTG7 MBUX multimedia system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. This system, which can be optionally upgraded to add navigation and seven years of map updates, boosts computing power and performance and offers improved voice control via the ‘Hey Mercedes’ command, as well as increased functionality over vehicle functions and improved compatibility with mobile devices.
For the first time, occupants can wirelessly connect to their Sprinter via Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay™, and also enjoy DAB Digital Radio as standard fitment.
An additional interior highlight is a new optional digital rear view mirror (panel van variants only) offering the driver unobstructed views of the rear, and a distinct advantage when in reverse. The conventional rear-view mirror also serves as a digital rear-view mirror, transmitting an image from a High Dynamic Range camera installed in the exterior rear end of the roof.
There are also myriad practical touches that carry over from the outgoing Sprinter range to assist day-to-day operations including keyless start, rake-and-reach-adjustable steering, conveniently located entry and grab handles, a shelf over the windscreen, stowage compartments above the windscreen (lockable) and under the cockpit, semi-auto TEMPMATIC air conditioning, instrument cluster with colour display, all-weather floormats, adjustable driver and passenger seats in hardwearing Caluma black fabric, heat-insulating glass, lashing eyelets and a rear door step (panel van only).
Van variants have a sliding door on the left side and are fitted with a rear towing eye. ELWB Panel Van includes rear barn doors opening to the side wall.
Other convenience features include headlight assistant, daytime running lights, Easy Lane Change (ELC) indicators, a seat belt warning for the driver’s seat, all-weather floormats, and the MercedesBenz Emergency Call System.
All models include a five-year/250,000km vehicle warranty, a 24-hour roadside assist support package, and Mercedes-Benz Service Call/Breakdown Management. The eSprinter has an eight-year /160,000km high voltage battery warranty.
The new all-electric eSprinter will be available as an MWB Van with an 81 kWh battery, or as an LWB Van with a 113 kWh battery.
The electric range of the eSprinter LWB Van, based on a European simulation using the WLTP cycle, is up to 440 km. The simulated range based on the WLTP city cycle is up to 530 km This extended range makes the vehicle ideal for both daily urban use as well as longer distances.
Offering a cargo capacity of up to 14 cubic meters and with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 4.25 tons, the rear-wheel-drive eSprinter is as practical as its sibling with an internal combustion engine.
The main components of the electric powertrain feature two new developments: the efficient motor and the advanced electric rear axle. Both are installed for the first time in a battery-electric van from Mercedes-Benz. In either eSprinter model, the motor provides 150 kW of peak output and delivers torque of up to 400 Nm.
Three different drive modes allow for customisation of performance and energy consumption. Comfort mode delivers the full complement of performance and torque. Economic mode limits
Pricing for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter range starts from $71,740 (inc. GST) for the 311 Sprinter (MWB), $79,706 (inc. GST) for the 315 Sprinter (MWB) and $83,752 (inc. GST) for the 317 Sprinter (MWB)
Heading up the model range the 319 Sprinter (MWB) is priced from $87,241 (inc. GST), the 415 Sprinter (MWB) at $81,974 (inc. GST), the 417 Sprinter (MWB) at $86,018 (inc. GST), the 419 Sprinter (MWB) at $89,509 (inc. GST) and the 517 Sprinter (MWB) at $91,101 (inc. GST), while the 519 Sprinter (MWB) has an rrp. of $94,589 (inc. GST)
The Cab chassis range starts with the 517 Sprinter (MWB) at $81,547 (inc. GST), the 519 Sprinter (MWB) at $84,985 (inc. GST) and the Sprinter Dual Cab Chassis (MWB) at $89,191 (inc. GST)
The debutante eSprinter Van is priced from $104,313 (inc. GST) for the eSprinter 81 kWh (MWB) and $121,041 (inc. GST) for theSprinter 113 kWh (LWB)
The company says that orders are now open for all models with Australian customer deliveries commence from August this year.
