Mercedes would be the first to admit that, despite offering the full Sprinter van line-up with the option of Euro 6 specification engines, take up will remain slow until legislation catches up in 2016. Of course if you want the most powerful motor, you don’t get the choice, as all V6 models are now Euro 6.
But what of the more popular four cylinder Sprinter? Mercedes believes that around 10% of customers will try a Euro 6 van before the deadline, both to see the effect on operating and maintenance requirements and to demonstrate their green credentials.
Euro 6 carries a hefty £1,120 premium on this 3.5-tonne Sprinter though, which will be enough to put off all but the most environmentally-conscious fleet buyers. That’s before you factor in regular AdBlue consumption too. Unfortunately, while Euro 5 engines offered big power and economy improvements over Euro 4, the gains with Euro 6 are less impressive, as manufacturers are being forced to chase diminishing returns. While this van with a Euro 5B engine delivers a combined figure of 34.9mpg, the Euro 6 engine only raises that slightly to 35.8mpg, which is going to take a lot of miles to return the extra investment.
More impressively, the Euro 6 motor delivers just 206g/km of CO2, down from 213g/km on the Euro 5B and 227g/km on the previous model. The other downside however is that the Euro 6 model weighs in 34kg heavier, thanks to its AdBlue tank and dosing equipment, which will have to come off the available payload.
There is more good news however, particularly if you are the one driving this latest Sprinter. Somehow Mercedes has managed to make this one of the smoothest, quietest vans of this size that we have ever driven. Despite its size it also pulls like a train when unladen, with the gearing on the motorway almost making it too easy for the van to live up to its name.
Much has been made of the fact that Mercedes wants to be at the forefront of safety in its LCVs and this Sprinter is no exception. The firm has offered Adaptive ESP for some time as standard and that has now been joined by Crosswind Assist, though on a pretty gusty drive up the M1 it was either very subtle or hardly playing a part in proceedings.
Our test van also boasted a host of safety options under a Driving Assistance Package (£1,090). This included yellow and red flashing lights in the wing mirrors to warn of objects in the blindspots, a lane departure warning to keep the driver from wandering without indicating and a warning on the dash if the van was too close to the vehicle in front. Somewhat surprisingly though there was no light to let you know that cruise control was engaged.
The revised Sprinter interior looks as if it will remain unharmed through a long and tough life, providing a comfortable place to spend the day. A full height bulkhead, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and Bluetooth are all plus points, though our van’s air conditioning would set you back £593.
Sprinter remains a heavy van leader, now one with even more choices for the customer.
What we think
There won’t be many takers yet for the Euro 6 engine option. Whichever engine specification you choose though, the latest Sprinter remains an accomplished long distance load carrier.
Specification
MODEL Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313CDI BlueEfficiency Euro 6 LWB high roof
BASIC PRICE £29,945
ENGINE 4-cyl/2,143cc
FUEL INJECTION Common-rail
POWER 129hp @ 3,800rpm
TORQUE 305Nm @1,200-2,400rpm
Weights (kg)
GVW 3,500
KERB WEIGHT 2,415
PAYLOAD 1,085
MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 2,000
Dimensions (mm)
LOAD SPACE LENGTH 4,300
LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,780
LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,940
LOAD HEIGHT (unladen) 640
LOAD VOLUME 14.0m3
Cost considerations
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 75 litres
COMBINED MPG & CO2 35.8mpg/206g/km
OIL CHANGE 2 yr/31,000 miles
WARRANTY 3 yr/unlimited miles