Current Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been around since 2019 and will next year mark its 30th anniversary as Benz's flagship van. Images: Charl Bosch
As a standalone from its passenger division, Mercedes-Benz’s Commercial brand probably doesn’t come to mind first when mentioning any of the three-pointed star’s latest products.
In the brand’s own words, the Vito and Sprinter are often not spoken in the same breath as its passenger stablemates, with the solitary exception being the former’s now in-vogue plusher sibling, the V-Class.
When all is said and done though, the commercial division’s progress is anything but low-key.
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While establishing exactly how many Vitos and Sprinters are sold every month is tricky to calculate based on Mercedes-Benz South Africa not providing individual sales figures, global sales of nearly 500 000 units provide a clue as to the division’s importance.
It was on this basis that a number of media were privy to get behind the wheel of the entire commercial range in Johannesburg last week, including the newly launched eSprinter that became South Africa’s first full-size electric van.
Minus the facelift V-Class that will make its market launch at the end of this month, the day involved a short road trip in a trio of Vitos and a gymkhana-type drive within the confines of the Riversands Business Park in the Sprinter and eSprinter.
Marking its 10th year in production in 2024, the internally named W447 Vito is showing no signs of being replaced just yet as evident by Mercedes-Benz’s affording it with a second lifecycle update last year.
More extensive than the changes applied in 2020, the refresh involved new front and rear bumpers, a restyled U-shaped grille, new headlights with the first-time availability of the MultiBeam LEDs, darkened rear light clusters and nine colours with Alpine Grey and Vintage Blue being the new additions.
Still consisting of three variants; panel van, combination Mixto and the passenger-carrying Tourer, the inside updates are equally as prominent as all variants gain black leather upholstery, a new multi-function steering wheel and a 5.5-inch instrument cluster display as standard.
In addition to a new dashboard and air vents, plus a refreshed centre console, the MBUX infotainment system finally becomes available housed in a new 10.25-inch display.
Being a commercial vehicle though, the Vito is all about practicality and while the line-up for South Africa has a single wheelbase configuration, the proportions are anything but small as the W447 measures 5 140 mm long, 1 863 mm wide and 1 900 mm tall.
Its wheelbase stretching 3 200 mm, the panel van provides a cargo volume of 6.6 m2 while that of the Mixto falls to 4.1 m2 as a result of the second row that can be separated from the cargo area by a steel mesh partition as an option.
For the Tourer, seating for seven or eight can be had, the latter being standard, while on the specification front, all three offer a base and more premium Pro variant.
Up front, all Vitos are equipped with the 2.0-litre OM 654 turbodiesel engine in two states of tune; the previous entry-level 111 CDI powered by the Renault-sourced 1.6-litre oil-burner has fallen by the wayside.
As such, the 114 CDI produces 100kW/330Nm fed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or 9G Tronic automatic gearbox.
Forbidden for the panel van, both the Mixto and Tourer can be had in 116 CDI guise, which means outputs of 120kW/380Nm delivered to the rear axle via the 9G Tronic ‘box only.
Marking its 30th anniversary next year as Benz’s flagship van, the Sprinter, which has been around in its current third generation since 2019, also underwent its first update last year involving mainly a powertrain reshuffle.
A line-up spanning no less than 11 models, bodystyles consist of a panel van, the 23-seater Inkanyezi bus and a chassis cab supporting a variety of aftermarket conversation ranging from a hearse and ambulance to an overlander from eight approved Mercedes-Benz converters.
For power, the Sprinter uses the same engine as the Vito, but in four states of tune; 84kW/300Nm in the 311 CDI, 125kW/400Nm in the 317 and 517 CDI, and 110kW/360Nm in the 116 CDI.
Finally, the 319 and 519 CDI variants produce 140kW/450Nm with transmissions, depending on the engine, consisting of either the six-speed manual or 9G Tronic automatic.
In addition to the standard rear-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive can be had on 319 CDI models, but only in combination with the 9G Tronic.
Given the vast number of models and size lengths from the chassis cab to the long wheelbase van, mentioning each individually would require a write-up of its own given the extensive differences.
Not as complex is the eSprinter, which differs by way of the sealed grille, no exhaust outlets and the lack of any fuel or charging flap – the outlet being located behind the Mercedes-Benz badge.
Similar to the diesel Sprinter otherwise, the eSprinter comes in three models; the 414e standard wheelbase A2, 420e long wheelbase A3 and the high-output 420e LWB A3.
In terms of power, the former pair are driven by an 81-kWh battery pack powering a single electric motor on the rear axle.
The claimed outputs are 110kW/400Nm and the range 329 km with the expected waiting from 0-80% being 32 minutes.
For the high-output A3, the 113-kWh battery develops the same 400 Nm of torque, but 150 kW, which translates to a range of 475 km.
Supporting DC charging up to 150 kW will require a waiting time of 42 minutes from 0-80%, although the standard outlet is a 22 kW AC on-board charger.
Stretching from Riversands to as far as Lanseria, the launch route included all three Vito models as the Sprinters all exceeded 3 500 kg and therefore required a code 10 licence none of the present media had.
Perched behind the wheel of the 114 CDI Mixto with the manual ‘box, the Vito pulled relatively strong and with sufficient verve not to feel slow or underpowered.
Given its intended use, the ride teetered on the bouncy side with a fair degree of road noise being present, however, this is unlikely to be of little concern to most fleet buyers.
Feeling almost strange to drive a Mercedes-Benz with a manual gearbox, the six-speed unit feels somewhat notchy and with higher than normal clutch bite point that will require a bit more than usual modulation to avoid stalling.
Despite being a R52 405 credit over the 9G Tronic, Mercedes-Benz says it still expects to see around 80% of buyers opt for the self-shifter.
The main irritation of the Vito remains the foot-operated handbrake. An annoyance when pushing in, releasing it requires pulling a lever below the dashboard, resulting in a rather unpleasant metal thud from the handbrake mechanism.
Elsewhere, the interior feels resoundingly upmarket for a van and the MBUX system is a welcome addition given the amount of time drivers will spend on the road.
Back in the business park, the unnerving thought of the massive Sprinters soon faded with the eSprinter in particular being a surprise.
Unsurprisingly nowhere near the level of Benz’s EQ model, the 420e’s response was instant, unrelenting and impressive for a vehicle with a kerb mass of more than 3.5 tonnes.
Although still up in the air as to how it will fare in the long-term compared to the diesel’s long-distance range, intercity usage will be the eSprinter’s main drawing card based on the cheap cost of electricity versus the price of diesel.
That being said, the chassis cab Sprinter 319 CDI AWD was just as a hoot to drive and also immediate to respond given its lack of any weight at the rear.
With all-wheel-drive at its disposal, the almost-but-not-really-a-Unimog will still travel far and with the latter not available locally, the ideal overlander as evident by the all-inclusive converted motorhome shown at the launch.
An aspect of motoring seldom experienced, the reacquaintance with Mercedes-Benz’s range of commercial vehicles came as a refreshing departure from the norm.
A different picture compared to its passenger line-up, the “model-for-any-work-need” adage wasn’t found lacking whether it be a Vito or the eSprinter. As the saying goes, there is bound to be a model that will suit you.
For full pricing, visit mercedes-benz.co.za/vans.
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