New
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter launched in the Middle East
•
World premiere for new safety systems
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The most economical van in its class
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Exterior and interior receive further upgrades
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Tested over millions of kilometres
Mercedes-Benz today announced
the arrival of the new Sprinter, the leader in the large van class, in the
Middle East. Now on sale in showrooms across the
region, the entry level Sprinter 216 Panel van comes with a starting price of
$32,100, while the top of the range Sprinter 524 Hotel Bus starts at $110,500.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has
given its name to an entire vehicle class and is synonymous around the world with
large vans with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 5.0 tons. It has
always been the leader in its class in terms of innovation, and the new
Sprinter is again setting the benchmark and demonstrating this to impressive
effect, with five new safety systems as well as a range of powerful engines to
meet Middle East customers’ requirements. But it’s not all about performance -
the new Sprinter presents a striking and dynamic new look.
During the launch event at Yas
Marina Circuit, UAE, guests were able to test the new Sprinter on slippery, wet
surfaces and witness first-hand the all-new and innovative safety systems it
features. Also present was National Ambulance of Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s leading
provider of emergency pre-hospital care. The company, which already operates a
number of Sprinters, performed an interactive display to show how the new
Sprinter can be used to save lives.
“Over the years, the Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter has established an extremely strong reputation in the commercial
vehicle market. The new Sprinter is set to take the model forward, positioning
it even more firmly as the benchmark in the sector and appealing to even more
customers across the region,” commented Christoph Walther, Head of Sales and
Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Vans.
' Over the years, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has found its way to many satisfied customers around the Middle East. Guests of premium hotels appreciate the comfort and convenience when being transported around in the Sprinter, while parents trust the school bus version thanks to its advanced safety features. Parcel services or bakeries depend on the reliability and versatility of the Sprinter to deliver their goods on time, and when it comes to critical situations, the Sprinter stands out in its Ambulance guise.”
' Over the years, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has found its way to many satisfied customers around the Middle East. Guests of premium hotels appreciate the comfort and convenience when being transported around in the Sprinter, while parents trust the school bus version thanks to its advanced safety features. Parcel services or bakeries depend on the reliability and versatility of the Sprinter to deliver their goods on time, and when it comes to critical situations, the Sprinter stands out in its Ambulance guise.”
Traditionally the Sprinter has
been the pioneer for driver assistance and safety systems. An Adaptive ESP
System, ABS and a driver airbag is on board of every Sprinter for years by now.
In the new Sprinter, five additional assistance systems – including some world premieres
in the van segment – are helping to further reduce the number of accidents. Celebrating
their world premiere in the Sprinter are the Crosswind Assist as well as the
optional Collision Prevention Assist. Also new are the Blind Spot, Lane Keeping
and High Beam Assist.
Crosswind Assist as a feature of
the Electronic Stability Program will form part of the standard equipment for all
panel vans and crew buses. The other assistance systems can be ordered as
individual extras or logically compiled packages. Each buyer can individually
tailor their Sprinter to the respective application.
The developers at Mercedes-Benz
are convinced that the use of electronic aids in the van segment will have an
extremely positive impact on accident statistics which is particularly
important when transporting up to 22 passengers in the new Sprinter Mini Buses.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz has further
enhanced the driving dynamics of the Sprinter. A lowering of the chassis has
helped not only to reduce wind resistance and consumption, but also to further
increase road safety and make loading and unloading more convenient.
The new Sprinter is the first
van to emerge with a complete engine range which complies with Euro 3 as well
as up to the Euro VI emission standards. This means a drastic reduction in
emission levels for nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydrocarbons (THC) and particulates. For
the Middle East, petrol engines complying up to Euro 6 and diesel engines up to
Euro 4 emission standard will be available. Two petrol engines, a four cylinder
156HP and a six cylinder 258HP as well as two four cylinder diesel engines with
116 and 150HP are offered in the Middle East. An automatic gearbox is standard
in combination with the V6 petrol engine and optional for the four cylinder
petrol. All diesel engines are paired with the 6-speed ECO Gear manual
transmission.
The combination of the highly
economical diesel engines, optimised drive train and ancillary equipment
results in a combined fuel consumption starting from 6.3 l/100 km – a
sensational new record figure for the Sprinter's vehicle class.
Visually, the new Sprinter also makes a clear-cut and striking impression. In keeping with the current Mercedes-Benz
design line, the radiator grille appears more upright and self-assured. The
three radiator louvres are swept back and perforated. This not only underscores
the dynamic impression, but at the same time also increases the air flow. The
brand's hallmark radiator grille is made more striking thanks to a bevelled
surround.
The headlamps feature sharper
contours, and a particularly striking feature is the masking of the reflector housings which divides the headlamps into individual segments. The
new bonnet is higher, resulting in improved protection for pedestrians, and the
bumper features a more pronounced shape.
The detailed attention paid to
the design on its underside makes it reminiscent of an SUV. From the rear, the
new Sprinter is still recognisable from its two-compartment tail lights.
The indisputably exemplary
interior has been upgraded even further. New seat upholstery and a new cover
provide for enhanced comfort. The steering wheel features better grip with a
thick rim, and the fresh air vents are embellished with chrome applications.
The shift lever knob sports a new design too.
With the new radio generation, state-of-the-art consumer electronics featuring Bluetooth telephony
with telephone keypad and phone book have
found their way into the Sprinter.
The developers of the new
Sprinter placed particular emphasis on intensive testing. With endurance tests
covering more than eight million kilometres and also intensive customer trials
involving practical applications, the high quality of the new Sprinter has
already been put to the test.
Image 1: The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in action during the launch event in
Yas Marina Circuit
Image 2: A range of new Sprinter models on display at the launch event in
Yas Marina Circuit
Image 3: Christoph Walther, Head of Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz
Vans.
Image 4: Mike Belk, President and CEO of Daimler Middle East (Left), Heiko
Selzam, Director of Sales and Marketing for Daimler Commercial Vehicles
The descriptions and information in
this press kit apply to Mercedes-Benz's international model range. Different
specifications may apply in other countries.
