Mercedes has launched the third-generation Sprinter
with all-wheel drive, promising to continue being one of the most capable large
vans in the market, even during the toughest driving conditions. The biggest visual difference is
of course the ride height; Mercedes has lifted the Sprinter by 155mm at the
front and by 135mm at the rear, giving the big van an approach angle of 26
degrees, an departure angle of 25 degrees (for standard wheelbase models) and a
breakover angle of 23 degrees.
It’s not a genuine off-roader then but these figures
are impressive nevertheless for a van of this size. Mercedes also says that,
depending on the selected engine, the gradient climbing ability is also 20
percent better than that of a ‘normal’ Sprinter. The weight penalty that comes
with the all-wheel drive system and the suspension lift is just 140 kg,
with the load capacity remaining the same with the rest of the range.
The biggest highlight of the new Mercedes Sprinter
4×4 is the selectable all-wheel drive system, which can be enabled at speeds of
up to 10 km/h via a switch on the instrument panel. In normal driving
conditions, the system splits the torque between the axles in a ratio of 35:65
front to rear.
There’s also the adaptive ESP system which has been
calibrated specifically for all-wheel drive and incorporates the 4ETS
electronic traction control. The latter can mimic the effect of up to three
locking differentials by pulsing the brakes on spinning wheels.
As an option, customers will be offered a Low Range
reduction gear, which lowers the transmission ratio by 42 percent, increasing
tractive power for low-speed off-road driving. The order books for the new
Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 have now opened in Europe, with prices starting from
46,272 euros (US$ 52,625) -excluding VAT- for the standard wheelbase version in
Germany.