A brilliant cabin
Further setting the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter apart is premium comfort. In addition to a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and standard air conditioning, occupants can relax thanks to firm, surprisingly-supportive seats with a height-adjustable cushion and reclining seatback for the driver. Heated buckets are available, too — a far cry from the torture devices found in the E-Series!
Most controls, including the shift lever, are positioned close to the driver, yet I found said lever to be hard to manipulate. That’s a shame because everything else inside the Sprinter has been carefully thought out. For instance, there’s a myriad of storage compartments around the cockpit, even above the windshield.
Optimized safety
Mercedes-Benz insists a lot on the new Sprinter’s safety features. The list includes driver and front passenger airbags plus available side airbags and curtain airbags to maximize thorax and head protection.
Moreover, every model comes with a new electronic stability program called Adaptive ESP, which integrates the functions of the antilock braking system (ABS), acceleration skid control (ASR), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS) and start-off assist (AAS) while also adding a handling stability aid. It takes acceleration, velocity, throttle position, brake pressure and vehicle load into account and intervenes in critical situations by activating the brakes on individual wheels as well as adjusting engine output to stabilize the vehicle.
Last but not least is the optional Parktronic system that makes parking manoeuvres easier by alerting drivers of any object in front or behind the Sprinter through visual and auditory warnings. A rear-view camera with 7-inch monitor is also available.
Light-years ahead of the Econoline!
Of course, the base MSRP of $42,900 puts the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in a much higher price range as its American counterparts. To give you an idea, the cheapest E-Series model retails for $31,299.
Still, the company expects to attract a fair share of customers with the promise of higher value, enticing fuel economy, exemplary ride and handling as well as a host of advanced safety technologies. Judging from the recent sales growth, their plan seems to be working!
Further setting the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter apart is premium comfort. In addition to a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and standard air conditioning, occupants can relax thanks to firm, surprisingly-supportive seats with a height-adjustable cushion and reclining seatback for the driver. Heated buckets are available, too — a far cry from the torture devices found in the E-Series!
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| The cockpit boasts flawless ergonomics and unparalleled comfort. By contrast, the Ford E-Series feels like a torture device! (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
Most controls, including the shift lever, are positioned close to the driver, yet I found said lever to be hard to manipulate. That’s a shame because everything else inside the Sprinter has been carefully thought out. For instance, there’s a myriad of storage compartments around the cockpit, even above the windshield.
Optimized safety
Mercedes-Benz insists a lot on the new Sprinter’s safety features. The list includes driver and front passenger airbags plus available side airbags and curtain airbags to maximize thorax and head protection.
Moreover, every model comes with a new electronic stability program called Adaptive ESP, which integrates the functions of the antilock braking system (ABS), acceleration skid control (ASR), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS) and start-off assist (AAS) while also adding a handling stability aid. It takes acceleration, velocity, throttle position, brake pressure and vehicle load into account and intervenes in critical situations by activating the brakes on individual wheels as well as adjusting engine output to stabilize the vehicle.
Last but not least is the optional Parktronic system that makes parking manoeuvres easier by alerting drivers of any object in front or behind the Sprinter through visual and auditory warnings. A rear-view camera with 7-inch monitor is also available.
Light-years ahead of the Econoline!
Of course, the base MSRP of $42,900 puts the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in a much higher price range as its American counterparts. To give you an idea, the cheapest E-Series model retails for $31,299.
Still, the company expects to attract a fair share of customers with the promise of higher value, enticing fuel economy, exemplary ride and handling as well as a host of advanced safety technologies. Judging from the recent sales growth, their plan seems to be working!
 |
| Fortunately, every model comes with a new electronic stability program called Adaptive ESP. With this unique demonstration vehicle, Mercedes-Benz Canada Driving Academy chief-instructor Danny Kok shows what could happen to a van (a Sprinter or any other) without this ESP, if the driven made a sudden and extreme avoidance manoeuvre: a garanteed roll-over! (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
2010 Mercedes Sprinter Standard Roof
2010 Mercedes Sprinter Standard Roof
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