TODAY 6 FEB Exclusive Mercedes-Benz News

...which was as powerful as it was economical. The first Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle to be known by a name instead of an abbreviation or combination of numbers, the Sprinter lead the way for other Mercedes-Benz van and truck models with an unprecedented tour de force. Following the Sprinter, the Vito, Vario, Actros and Atego were introduced and within 36 months completely new vans and trucks were on the market in all weight classes. Even though all have been thoroughly further developed or even entirely reengineered, to this day they form the backbone of the Mercedes-Benz brand's commercial vehicles. With the start of production in January 1995, the Sprinter took the lead in this grand strategic product initiative. It had some very big shoes to step into at the same time: it was the successor to the T1 van, also referred to internally as the "Bremen" van, named after the site in North Germany where it was first manufactured.

Four gross weights, three engines

Also like its predecessor, the Sprinter began its career with four gross vehicle weights ranging from 2.59 to 4.6 tonnes.

It was available as a panel van, crewbus, chassis, pickup, and with a crewcab, all of these versions in three wheelbase lengths, and the closed-body variants additionally with two roof heights.

The Sprinter targeted mainly the 3.5 tonne GVW class, this tonnage marking an important dividing line in a great many European countries as far as driving licences and traffic regulations were concerned.

The Sprinter lined up with three different engines. Interest focused mainly on the 
OM 602 DELA, a direct-injection turbodiesel with 2.9 litres displacement and five cylinders. With its output of 90 kW and peak torque of 280 Newton metres it took performance to new record levels for vans of this type.

Distributor pump, electronic control and exhaust gas recirculation are also characteristics of this engine. It was complemented by a tried and tested, smooth-running pre-chamber diesel engine developing 58 kW from 2.3 litres displacement and by a zippy four-cylinder petrol unit (likewise with a displacement of 2.3 litres) delivering 105kW of power.

A newly developed five-speed manual transmission transferred the power to the rear axle.

For each version there were at least two different final drive ratios to choose from. As alternative to the manual box, a fully automatic four-speed torque converter transmission followed a short time later.

The new Mercedes-Benz Van was good for a road speed of up to 160 km/h and not only lived up to its name, but quickly put tyre manufacturers on the spot, since few tyres at the time boasted the proper speed index.

Highest safety standards

Not just high performance, highest safety too played a crucial role in the Sprinter. From the outset the Sprinter had disc brakes on all wheels.

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) and an automatic brake differential were standard equipment in many countries and then there was the driver airbag, also a standard feature in Germany and many other countries.

With that said, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter set new standards for safety in its category, as it did in many other areas.

Along with investing intensive effort in the advancement of conventional drive technology, the engineers also developed alternative drive systems to the production stage in combination with the Sprinter.

One year after the launch of the new van it was already available as the electrically powered 308 E Sprinter. The water-cooled asynchronous motor put out 40 kW and got its energy from maintenance-free lead-gel batteries.

The energy rating of 29 kWh sufficed to travel a distance of 65 to 80 km.

Natural gas drive to match the petrol engine

At the same time the first NGT Sprinters with natural gas drive (NGT=Natural Gas Technology) were being used by customers.

The engine, featuring a new kind of sequential injection technology, developed 92 kW and practically could take on the conventional petrol engine for performance.

With gas cylinders mounted underfloor, the vehicles had a range of 200 to 250 km. In spring 1997 this Sprinter with natural gas drive went into series production.

Later, variants powered by liquefied gas – also called liquid petroleum gas or LPG – were added to the range.

It was also 1997 when a first version with all-wheel drive expanded the Sprinter model range.

This Sprinter for difficult traction conditions, as could be encountered in snow or at building sites, had an electro-pneumatically engageable front-wheel drive – optionally also an additional off-road ratio and a locking differential – and was built much higher off the ground for more clearance. 

Permanent all-wheel drive would follow later.

Production record in 2005

The Sprinter quickly set out to outstrip the proven T1.

At the Düsseldorf van plant where the T1 was manufactured during the second half of its life, Mercedes-Benz initially planned the daily output of 400 Sprinters in two shifts. However, after very few years the annual production levelled out at more than 500 vans per day in three-shift operation.

Production pushing the limits of capacity became the normal case for the Sprinter.

At the end of its career, in 2005 the first Sprinter even attained a new production record with around 150,000 units – a great compliment for a very mature van in the prime of life. It owed this to a tailor-made concept.

The numerous body and weight variants of the Sprinter scored a bull's-eye with potential buyers. At the same time the Sprinter impressed through engines with outstanding capabilities.

The characteristic features of the Sprinter furthermore included its timeless-progressive design and the spacious, very functionally equipped cab whose appointments now almost reached passenger car level in terms of their design and material.