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Mercedes Sprinter: Reaching of 3 millions

Category Archives: News

Mercedes Sprinter: Reaching of 3 millions

Since the launch of the first Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Vans had always been in parity with the latest trends and the needs of customers. High standards were established, both in manufacturing and in production. Right from the start it included mind blowing dynamic design, over 1000 variants, highly efficient engines, exemplary safety equipment and the perfect cockpit. These innovative concepts made a perfect kickstart for the successful sophisticated van.

Logo of Mercedes

During the 90s when it first started, it was the era of the fast growing courier/ parcel/ express industry. The Sprinter had a sales boost as it was the perfect vehicle that could serve the purpose with ease. Sprinter was able to cover the desired high annual mileages without any problems, which is a remarkable advantage in the industry. The cockpit was systematically designed as per the driver’s need. So, driving the van became very easy as compared to vans from other brands. Safety was also an issue behind its success.

Signs of Recognition

As soon as the first-generation Sprinter Van got launched in Europe in 1995, it won the “International Van of the Year” award. In the year 2004 they became the first commercial vehicle to introduce ESP in all of its models. In the very next year, BlueTEC technology was also introduced. For two consecutive years (2007 and 2008), Sprinter was voted “The Van of the Year” by Professional Van and Light Truck magazine. In 2013 they introduced, Active Safety Plus Package with Parktronic, with available features like Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Prevention Assist and Highbeam Assist. In 2014 they became the pioneer van to give a new safety feature called Crosswind Assist. Sprinter Van has the first certified SULEV-diesel engine in the world.

At present the latest model, the Sprinter receives a new base trim level called Worker. The cabin is designed to eliminate the fatigue that inevitably comes with driving long hours. Starting with a spacious cockpit and an ergonomic dashboard, engineers added height-adjustable seats with generous lumbar support, numerous storage bins and a legible instrument cluster consisting of three analog gauges and a digital screen that provides vital information about the truck and its surroundings.

Mercedes Sprinter with officials

Over the years their oustanding performance embedded good reputation within the society. So, it made the Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, Volker Mornhinweg say, “Three million Sprinters in just 20 years is a sign of great success. The Sprinter was the founder of the segment for large vans and remains highly successful to this day”. Record number of 3,21,000 vehicles were sold in 2015, thus making it touch 3 million sales.

The Sprinter is manufactured at six locations around the world, which include Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde, Germany, Charleston in South Carolina, U.S., Buenos Aires, Argentina, Fuzhou, China and in Nizhny Nowgorod, Russia.

Now they are getting ready for their next generation car and they will build a new production site in Charleston, following an investment of around $500 million in the coming years. Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde will undergo a modernization process, for which Mercedes will invest €450 million.

Mercedes Sprinter Engines Now & Then

The Mercedes Sprinter is a vehicle whose merchandise includes minibus, van, cab or a pick-up has been sold in many versions to serve multifarious purposes. In the past the Sprinter has been sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner, and Volkswagen nameplates. However they are fundamentally advertised as the Mercedes Sprinter.

The first generation Sprinter was launched in Europe in 1995 to replace the famous but outdated Mercedes Benz TN van dating from 1977. It was voted International Van of the Year for 1995.

The second generation Sprinter was introduced in Europe in 2006. It was voted Van of the Year 2007 and again in 2008 by Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine.

Also known as the NCV3 or New Concept Van 3, the NCV3 appeared in Europe and in other countries in the 2006 model year. North America received its own NCV3 for the 2007 model year.

The USA cargo version of the 906 NCV3 comes in two wheelbases options (144″, 170″), two roof heights (standard 72.4″, high 60.6″), four lengths (Short 233.3″, Standard 274.2, Extended 289.8″), and two weight classes (2500, 3500) where the 3500’s have the option of dual rear wheels or rear super singles. Neither the 128in wheelbase nor the rear super single tires are available in the USA market. The USA cargo version are reassembled from kits in an assembly plant located in Ladson, South Carolina, while the passenger models are imported directly from Germany.

2013 Sprinter:

2013 Sprinter
Changes include the addition of new assistance systems (Crosswind Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST (optional), Blind Spot Assist (optional), Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist), Euro VI emissions compliance, redesigned radiator grille, more angular headlights, new upholstery and seat coverings, thicker steering wheel, optional fresh air nozzles boast chrome applications, new-generation radio system. The vehicle was unveiled in 2014 International Commercial Vehicles show.

For the 2014 model year the Sprinter receives a more stylish and upright grille with Mercedes’ signature 3 slat design.

  • A 1.8-liter supercharged I-4 gasoline engine mated to 6 and 7 speed automatics was also added.
  • The 2014 Sprinter will add several new driver assistance technologies including standard Crosswind Assist, optional Blind Spot Assist and Collision Prevention Assist, as well as Lane Keeping Assist and Highbeam Assist.
  • The 2014 Sprinter will now feature LED running lights. Air suspension will be available on the 3500-series model.
  • The 2014 Sprinter also gains a few new options, including navigation, iPod integration, and an air suspension for heavier-duty models.

Reconditioned Mercedes Sprinter Engines (The bigger picture):

As engine replacement specialists we often find that sourcing a good low mileage second hand engine for a Mercedes Sprinter can be exceedingly difficult due to the intense nature of their usage. A viable alternative would be to invest in a reconditioned engine which has been rebuilt with brand new components in order to restore it closer to its original manufacturing standard. The biggest advantage of a reconditioned is that the engine would have been stripped down completely and can be inspected thoroughly for all wear and tear.

At MKL Motors we offer:

  • Engine Replacements
  • Gearbox Replacements
  • Vehicle Repairs
  • Vehicle Diagnostics
  • Vehicle Servicing

If you require a quote for any of the above or simply need some general advice then please feel free to contact us on 0208 133 6004.

Local Motors Unveiled its 3D-Printed Car

Arizona-based Local Motors has unveiled its 3D-printed car—LM3D—at the SEMA automotive trade show. According to the company, 3D-printed is made of a thermoplastic. The company—Local Motors—uses a controversial car building process in order to build the 3D vehicles.
The construction process involves direct digital manufacturing (DDM) to produce fully-homologated vehicles, CEO Jay Rogers explained to the crowd at the motor vehicle aftermarket show organized by the Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The vehicle is still to being tested.

“In the past few months our engineers have moved from only a rendering to the car you see in front of you today,” Rogers said. “We are using the power of DDM to create new vehicles at a pace unparalleled in the auto industry, and we’re thrilled to begin taking orders on 3D-printed cars next year.”

As far as printing process is concerned, it looks like toothpaste spilling out of the tube when the machine shoots out ribbons of carbon-fibre reinforced thermoplastics.

The car—LM3D Swim—looks like a red dune buggy when it is viewed closely. The lower-speed electric car cannot exceed 35 miles per hour, mandated by law. The company is planning to put the car on sale as soon as late next year for $53,000.