The Sprinter has been and continues to be the workhorse of the Mercedes-Benz team here in Canada. It’s been just over two decades since the soft advertising vehicle arrived in North America, and in that time it has excelled in playing many roles for individuals. Homeowners and fleet operators through their flexible configurations.
And by 2023, an all-new Sprinter will arrive, the fourth generation, with some major mechanical innovations and a much more physically powerful in-car connectivity technology. What it hasn’t replaced is the diversity of style: 2500 and 3500XD in cargo, crew, passenger chassis and cabin configurations, and overall dimensions and floor plans of the cars. This last point is for the many aftermarket corporations that turn Sprinters into motor homes, traditional cars and shuttles. No adjustments from the rear of the cab means those corporations don’t have to reinvent and reconsider their device, and Mercedes-Benz obviously appreciates the importance of this replacement device to the Sprinter’s overall good fortune. Best of all, the mechanical upgrades of the new Sprinter will only gain advantages for consumers who use their van for business and pleasure.
Firstly, a new selection of engines in the form of a four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that has been shown in several Mercedes-Benz passenger cars since their arrival in 2018. Called OM654, it replaces the old four-cylinder diesel in the Sprinters. and provides smoother acceleration, higher torque values, reduced emissions and lower noise and vibration levels. Two power ratings are available: 168 horsepower and 208 horsepower. The old six-cylinder diesel is discontinued for 2023, leaving the other option with a four-cylinder gasoline of 188 horsepower.
As for how this power is delivered, a new nine-speed automatic transmission replaces the old seven-speed transmission which, like the new powertrain, will reduce fuel consumption, noise levels and emissions.
And finally, a new all-wheel drive formula of the Sprinter replaces the previous 4×4 formula, that is, having to press a button to interact with all four wheels – as in last year’s models – the all-wheel drive of the new Sprinter is still activated with automatic torque on demand with up to 50% axle division. In general operation, the force is completely on the rear wheels and has interactions with the front wheels only when situations require it. Torque to the front axle and 65% to the rear axle in four × four modes. And steering has replaced from hydraulic to electric.
As for this technology upgrade, the new Sprinter will now offer virtual Mercedes me attachments that connect commercial and personal consumers to their vans and provide access to real-time data and functions. The attached Mercedes me app, for Android and iOS devices, allows users to manage other facets of their van, adding remote door lock/unlock and real-time vehicle prestige in terms of mileage, fuel level, tire tension and fluid levels. And if there is a problem with the van, the app can facilitate a remote diagnostic check that will provide a dealer service technician with the ability to remotely retrieve diagnostic knowledge to help troubleshoot problems.
For the Canadian press release of the 2023 Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz has selected an ideal location to demonstrate the functions of the new van. Grouse Mountain is one of 3 ski slopes on Vancouver’s North Shore and has an intricate formula of paths connecting its base to its 1,231-metre summit.
Journalists had the opportunity to lead the top component of the network, and this included some technical descents and promotions. While it’s rarely the kind of terrain a FedEx driving force might encounter on their daily itinerary, it’s certain that the off-road landscape an intrepid camper will make their way to that fishing site or lakeside site.
The prowess and power of those mechanical upgrades were on full display here, with the new gearbox’s higher overall gear ratios delivering smooth, graceful acceleration that made all the difference when climbing the steepest sections. Array while faster downshifts provided a sleeker, more confident base. go downhill on descents. The most remarkable mechanical update in the off-road field, however, the new all-wheel drive formula. The torque-on-demand facet caused very limited wheel spin when traveling on loose gravel roads, and even when one or two tires were slipping on a particularly difficult uphill segment, the formula sent power to that wheel and with a slight throttle push did it. Locate a buy and make it climb again. A massive improvement over the previous 4×4 setup. Also, the new AWD setup has only marginally replaced the truck’s ride height, so the new Sprinter maintains the same ground clearance, angle of technique, angle departure and ramp angle than its predecessor.
After the off-road adventure, we descended back down the mountain, in the gondola and not on the wheel, for a short walk around town that included some driving on the road. This new gear was very remarkable, especially the acceleration from a stop, not only in terms of speed but without problems (according to Mercedes-Benz, 0 to one hundred km / h is 10. 2 seconds). It was useful to have advertising hosts on the occasion driving existing Sprinters, as they agreed that the 2023 style start-up is much greater than their existing workhorse.
As for this new electric steering, the jury gave the impression among the professionals, some felt it an improvement while others said there was too much play on the wheel. Personally, I liked the feeling and I guess with a heavy load in the rear. , would provide safer guide inputs and outputs than a hydraulic system.
This will be the last of the Sprinter’s petrol generations, as Mercedes-Benz continues the transition from its light to electric vehicles. The new eSprinter is expected to hit global markets in 2023, and the company has announced that a new electric advertising van will debut in 2025.
For the latest of its kind, the 2023 Sprinter is in the lead.
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