Mercedes-Benz · 1995–present

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Classic

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light commercial vehicle (van) built by Mercedes-Benz Group AG of Stuttgart, Germany, as a large van, chassis cab, minibus, and pickup truck. In the past, the Sprinter had been sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, and Freightliner nameplates. In the U.S., it was built from complete knock down (CKD) kits by Freightliner. Re-badged and re-engined Sprinters were also sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as the Volkswagen LT and the Volkswagen Crafter. They are now primarily marketed by Mercedes-Benz. In the Mercedes-Benz van lineup, the Sprinter is the largest model offered, followed by the mid-size Vito (aka Viano, V-Class, and EQV) and small Citan.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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First generation (1995; W903)

=== Europe === The first-generation Sprinter was launched in Europe in 1995 to replace the T1 Transporter van dating from 1977. Compared to the T1, the Sprinter had reduced the aerodynamic drag and moved the engine 290 mm (11 in) further forward to increase cabin space. It was the first Mercedes-Benz product to carry a name rather than an alphanumeric designation. It was released with four-wheel disc brakes equipped with an anti-lock braking system and was driven by the most powerful diesel engine in its class, with a power output of 90 kW (120 hp). The Sprinter was voted International Van of the Year for 1995. The styling was updated in 2000 and 2002, accompanied by technical changes that included standard electronic stability control (2002). North America. The first generation (VA chassis) Sprinter was launched in North America for the 2002 model year and was originally badged as a Freightliner. In 2003 it received Dodge branding as DaimlerChrysler chose to replace the aging Dodge Ram van with the Sprinter. After 2003 they were sold concurrently under the Freightliner and Dodge nameplates and were identical except for minor styling details and badging. DaimlerChrysler chose to not badge the Sprinter as a Mercedes-Benz because they felt the utilitarian Sprinter would interfere with the luxury image that Mercedes-Benz has in North America, whereas Freightliner and Dodge have more experience selling trucks and commercial vehicles. Cargo versions of the Sprinter were manufactured in Düsseldorf, Germany, partially disassembled, and then shipped to a Freightliner factory in Gaffney, South Carolina, where they were reassembled. The cargo versions, classified as light trucks, are subject to the 25% chicken tax if imported as a complete unit, which is avoided by the disassembl

Second generation (2006; W906)

=== Initial release === The second-generation Sprinter was introduced in Europe in 2006. It was voted Van of the Year for 2007 and again in 2008 by Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine. Also known as the NCV3 or New Concept Van 3, the second generation Sprinter appeared in Europe and in other countries as the 2006 model year. North America received its own NCV3 for the 2007 model year. By 2010 a BlueTEC version of the NCV3 Sprinter with the OM642 was released. The BlueTEC systems allowed the elimination of much of the EGR in that vehicle's engine, which as a result gave 188 horsepower (140 kilowatts) compared to the non-BlueTec engine's 154 horsepower (115 kilowatts). The U.S. cargo version of the 906 NCV3 came in two wheelbase options (144", 170"), two roof heights (standard 60.6", high 72.4"), three lengths (Short 233.3", Standard 274.2, Extended 289.8"), and two weight classes (2500, 3500). 3500 models had the option of dual rear wheels or extra-wide "super single" wheels in some, but not all, markets. Neither the 128" wheelbase nor the rear super single tires were available in the U.S. market. The U.S. cargo version was reassembled from kits in an assembly plant located in Ladson, South Carolina, while the passenger models were imported directly from Germany. The second-generation 906 was produced in Argentina only for export markets—except Mercosur markets (Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay)—from 2007 until 2010, but in 2011, announced new production of the second generation in the Centro Industrial J. Manuel Fangio, in Buenos Aires with the brand-new OM 651 engine (also locally made) and exported to the rest of South America (including Mercosur markets). Since 2012, it has been manufactured for the Mercosur and 40 other countries. 70% of its production is exported

Third generation (2019; W907/W910)

The third-generation Sprinter debuted on 6 February 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz logistics center in Duisburg and was available to purchase from June 2018. It is the first generation to include a front-wheel-drive van in the line-up. A new range of standard and optional technology and comfort features were made available. A new gasoline model was also introduced, using the M274 turbo 4 cylinder powerplant, however gasoline models were later discontinued in 2024. To prepare for the third-generation van, in 2015, Mercedes-Benz Vans decided to switch North American Sprinter production to complete knock-down kit (CKD) assembly, kicking off an expansion of the Ladson factory in 2016, and the first Ladson-built Sprinter rolled off the assembly line in September 2018. The Freightliner version was discontinued after the 2021 model year as part of the Daimler Truck divestment in the Freightliner brand in October 2021. The third generation Sprinter was updated for the 2023 model year in the U.S., offering a new, all-time all-wheel-drive option with retirement of the selectable "4×4" option; additionally, a 2.0L 4-cylinder OM654 engine replaced the previous diesel engines with standard and high-output tunings offered. Power steering was updated to electromechanical from hydraulic. In Spring 2024 the European market front wheel drive variant (designation 910) that had been available from the third generation launch was discontinued. Front wheel drive Sprinters can be visually distinguished by their unique wheelbase which is different to all others (see how the rear wheels are pushed closer to the rear bumper). eSprinter. ==== eSprinter 1.0 (2019-2023) ==== The first variant of the eSprinter (replaced in 2023 by the new variant) was announced in February 2018. It is a large battery-el

Uses

The Sprinter is designed primarily for business, not private users, although recreational vehicle (RV) conversions are available. In the United States, the first generation Sprinters (2001–2006) were offered solely with the Mercedes-Benz 2.7 litre straight 5 cylinder turbocharged Diesel. Companies are replacing van conversions with wide bus bodies—Sprinters with side-facing benches and tall right-side doors—as campus shuttles. Limited numbers of complete "wagons" (passenger vans) are being produced in Germany and shipped complete to the United States mostly for personal and church van uses. Typical Sprinter wagons accommodate 8 to 10 passengers and have glass in all possible factory positions. Vans shipped to the United States on-spec (speculation to sell by dealer/distributor) are mostly sent in Arctic White color, but many colors are available. The Dodge dealer network for Sprinters is limited to certified locations (known as "Business Link" certified dealers, usually only awarded to "Five Star" certified dealers), and dealer knowledge is still limited in both sales and service. Special orders typically take one to three months for delivery, and may take even longer due to the assembly and disassembly in Germany, and exporting parts to South Carolina for re-assembly. The exception is passenger van models which are assembled in Germany and exported as complete vehicles. This is because of the United States Chicken Tax. As an unintended consequence, several importers of light trucks have circumvented the tariff via loopholes, known as tariff engineering. Ford, imported its first-generation Transit Connect light trucks as "passenger vehicles" to the U.S. from Turkey, and immediately stripped and shredded portions of their interiors (e.g., installed rear seats, seatbelts)

Passenger minibuses

Although primarily marketed as a goods van, the Sprinter has 5 variants designed to carry passengers. These are made by removing parts of the walls and replacing them with glass window panels. Sprinter Mobility. This is the smallest of the Sprinter minibuses. There are 4 sub-variants: the 23, 33, 35, and 45. It has 8-18 seats and is 6.9-7.4 metres long. It has 4 doors: 1 on either side of the driver and front passenger seats (which, like in a van, are segregated from the main passenger compartment), a sliding door in the middle, which goes into the rear passenger seating area, and a set of double doors at the back going into the disabled area with an elevator that can be extended out of the doors when they are open. It is designed for paratransit. Sprinter Transfer. This minibus is a longer variant of the Sprinter Mobility where the front passenger seat has been removed and the front passenger seat door now acts as the door for all passengers. In addition, the back wall has seats along it, but can be opened as a door and the seats removed to make modifications to the interior of the vehicle. It comes in 5 sub-variants: 23, 34, 35, 45, and 55. It has 13-22 seats and is 5.9-7.7 metres long. It is designed for bus services to hamlets. Sprinter Travel. This bus has a high-floor, and in addition to the driver's door, has just 1 automatic passenger door with steps. It is 7.4-7.7 metres long and has 17-19 seats. It is marketed as a mini-coach. Sprinter Inkanyezi. The Sprinter Inkanyezi is marketed in South Africa from 2020s onward as minibus taxi fleet in the country. The car is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and can carry 23 passengers. Sprinter City. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City minibus variant began production in 1995 and is marketed thr

Engines

The Sprinter is currently offered with I4 and V6 diesel engines; V6 petrol/gasoline; or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engines in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. In North America, only the six-cylinder 3.0 L turbodiesel and four-cylinder 2.1 L turbo diesel engines are offered. 2,000 electric Sprinters are to be made by VDL Groep from 2016. 2000–2006 (2002–2006 U.S.). === 2006–present (2007–2010 U.S.) === Limited markets. The Maxion/Rover HSD 2.5 L diesel engine was offered in Brazil from 1998 to 2002: model 310D with 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) (turbodiesel) and model 312D, with 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) (turbodiesel, intercooled). The Sprinter is also available as the model 316/416/516 NGT using compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel. An electric hybrid version was tested, but was not officially part of the Sprinter range.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Manufacturer

Daimler-Benz (1995–1998), DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007), Daimler AG (2007–2022), Mercedes-Benz Group (2022–present)

aka

Freightliner Sprinter (2001–2021), Dodge Sprinter (2003–2009), Volkswagen Crafter (2006–2017)

Production

1995–present

Model years

1995–present (Europe) , 2002–present (North America)

Class

Light commercial vehicle (M) (N1), Large van (U.S.)

Body style

4-door van, 2-door pickup truck, 4-door crew van, 4-door minibus

Related

Volkswagen Crafter, Volkswagen Transporter LT, Force Urbania

Successor

Ram ProMaster (for Dodge versions)

Layout

FF layout (2019–present), FR layout, F4 layout

sp

uk

Predecessor

Mercedes-Benz TN (since 1995), Dodge Ram Van (since 2003), Light versions of Mercedes-Benz Vario (since 2013)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112187140CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_SprinterCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1370161598 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MB_bus_in_Moscow.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Stolbovsky · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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