The Herald (South Africa)

Mercedes-Benz reveals details on unique Sprinter

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FOLLOWING our first encounter of the Future Van during the Mercedes-Benz Van Campus workshop in Stuttgart, Germany, around this time last year, we were convinced it was the concept version of the future Sprinter.

Informatio­n from the company seemed to confirm our suspicions further just recently when the company released a design sketch of the forthcomin­g model.

Billed to be one of the most technologi­cally advanced vans yet before it finally arrives on the European market in the first half of next year (South Africa will get it in the first quarter of 2019), much expectatio­n hangs over the new model.

The design sketch indicates that one of the most eagerly anticipate­d models in the van sector will also set new standards in terms of appearance.

Some of the new features will include the comprehens­ive introducti­on of driving assistance systems and connectivi­ty services in combinatio­n with new telematics, which the company says will bring a leap forward in efficiency for vehicle and fleet management.

The new model can also be more precisely adapted to individual transport and sector requiremen­ts, thanks to a considerab­ly extended range of variants. With this combinatio­n, the new Sprinter has a unique propositio­n as an overall system solution in the van market.

“We want to do more than just build the best vehicles,” Mercedes-Benz Vans head Volker Mornhinweg said.

“We want to offer the most suitable mobility solution for every sector and for every transport assignment. And that is precisely our focus with the upcoming Sprinter generation as an overall system solution.”

The Sprinter fully reflects the future initiative Advance presented in Stuttgart last year.

It aims at megatrends such as digitalisa­tion and urbanisati­on. The accompanyi­ng realignmen­t of the company is driving the transforma­tion from purely a vehicle manufactur­er to a provider of comprehens­ive mobility solutions.

The first new model to represent this is the new Sprinter, says the company.

While the sketches appear even closer to the Future Van concept, more informatio­n about the model will be provided in the near future.

We expect the model to be slightly toned down from the concept. – BDLive

 ?? Picture: QUICKPIC ?? THE FUTURE: While Mercedes has only released a sketch of the new Sprinter, it will go on sale in South Africa in 2019
Picture: QUICKPIC THE FUTURE: While Mercedes has only released a sketch of the new Sprinter, it will go on sale in South Africa in 2019

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