Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – 314 CDI; exterior; jupiter red; OM 651 rated at105 kW/143 hp; displacement 2.15 l; 6-speed transmission Eco Gear; wheelbase: 3665 mm; gross vehicle weight of 3.5 t
Mercedes-Benz Vans unveiled Wednesday its heaviest Sprinter van to-date.
Initially set to be available in Europe, Mercedes-Benz officials said there were no confirmed plans for the U.S. market yet, adding “but certainly not ruled out.”
At just more than 12,100 pounds, the vans GVWR gets a boost of about 1,000 pounds from the former upper limit of 11,030. In comparison to the previous top-of-the-range model, the heavy-duty Sprinter offers a nearly 1,000 pound increase in load capacity, resulting in a total payload of between 6,500 pounds and 7,500 pounds, depending on the model.
Considering Mercedes’ four-wheel drive Sprinter and Metris were each brought stateside following European launches, it’s not beyond reason to expect Sprinter to offer the heavier Class 3 van in the coming model years.
