(February 7, 2018) Legends are made by performance. Since its European market launch in 1995 — 2001 in the U.S. — the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has given its name to an entire vehicle class thanks to its outstanding qualities. Today the third generation of this best-selling van is celebrating its world premiere in the newly constructed Mercedes-Benz logistics center on the Mercator Island in Duisburg.

It will be available in the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle centers and Van ProCenters in the U.S. market by the end of the year. The new eSprinter will enter the market in 2019 (U.S. availability TBA). It is part of the strategy of Mercedes-Benz Vans for electrification of the commercial van fleet.

"The inland port in Duisburg stands for globally and modern logistics at the highest level. It is therefore the perfect environment in which to present the new Sprinter. The Sprinter continues to embody the traditional attributes that have made it so successful worldwide since its market launch — flexibility, robustness and economy.

"At the same time it impresses with unrivaled modernity, for example with its connectivity and variability. This makes it the first end-to-end system solution for commercial fleets, both for Mercedes-Benz Vans and for the entire industry," says Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

The third-generation Sprinter impresses with its progressive design plus comfort and safety features at a passenger car level. At the same time it offers maximum cost-effectiveness thanks to lower total operating costs and customer-oriented features. Comprehensive internet connectivity is one of the most important new features. The new, networked services of Mercedes PRO connect combined with the likewise completely new multimedia systems provide the perfect basis for all logistical and transport requirements.

This begins with the complex management of a large fleet and ends with the small company fleet. Mercedes PRO connect links the fleet manager with all the vehicles and drivers in the fleet. This enables assignments to be managed online, and vehicle information such as location, fuel level or maintenance intervals to be retrieved almost in real time. Several packages available ex- factory with central fleet, vehicle, driver and location-based services will be introduced on market launch of Mercedes PRO connect.

Mercedes PRO connect professionalizes our customers in terms of efficient fleet management, improved navigation, efficient analysis of driving style, digitalized recording and remote vehicle operations.

The Sprinter is more versatile than ever, bringing the potential total to more than 1,700 different configurations worldwide (USA product program is TBA). This maximized modularity defines the core of the new Sprinter concept, reflecting both sector-specific requirements and different customer segments.

The product range includes, for example, solutions for courier services on the last mile delivery, for goods transport over longer distances or for service technicians using their vehicle as a mobile replacement parts store. The new Sprinter can also be put to work as a camper van or bus, and can be used as an ambulance by rescue services.

Mercedes-Benz Vans also raises the Sprinter segment to a new level where safety features are concerned. The assistance systems available for the new Sprinter include a self-cleaning rear-view camera in the rear-view mirror, a 360-degree view parking camera system, and a rain sensor with an integrated Wet Wiper system for optimum visibility even during the wiping process.