Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – next-gen van interior shown

The new third-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be fully unveiled early next year, but before that Stuttgart is showing the world what the interior of this massive van will look like.

From the photos, it’s clear that the Sprinter will take after Mercedes’ passenger car range, with a three-spoke steering wheel from the upcoming C-Class facelift (complete with touchpads to control the digital displays), turbine-style air vents from the E-Class Coupé, a large centre display panel and even door-mounted controls for the power-adjustable seats and memory function.

As befits a workhorse like this, there are plenty of storage spaces for your odds and ends, including two large bins under the centre console. Mercedes has also teased the front end of the car, but not much can be seen in the sole image provided, save for the sharp headlights that appear to have LED lighting.

The new Sprinter is part of Mercedes-Benz Vans’ adVANce initiative, moving from being just a vehicle manufacturer into becoming an integrated transport and mobility solutions provider. To that end, the van will come with a range of features, including internet connectivity as part of its infrastructure to enable the implementation of sector-specific services and solutions.

Also implemented is the Mercedes Pro Connect fleet management system for small and medium-sized fleets, allowing online job management and the monitoring of vehicle information such as location, fuel level or maintenance intervals. Support for a networked load compartment is also included, allowing the driver and fleet manager to keep an eye on the items on board in real time, for example during courier trips.

Expect the new model to launch with Mercedes’ new 2.0 litre four-cylinder and 3.0 litre straight-six diesel engines. An electrified version, the eSprinter, will be launched in 2019, in order for last-mile deliveries to continue in zero-emissions zones that are becoming more commonplace in city centres.

Production of the new Sprinter will remain in Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde; however, a new plant in North Charleston, South Carolina will now build vehicles for the North America, which has grown to become the model’s second largest market behind Germany. Current US-market Sprinters are shipped in from Germany and assembled there to circumvent high import tariffs.

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