Spy Shots: Dodge Sprinter
Allpar.com has posted some great spy shots of the revised Dodge Sprinter. The Mercedes-built van has been a quiet success for DaimlerChrysler in the U.S., and DCX may be looking to expand its place in the market. The passenger version shown in these photos may indicate a new focus for the Sprinter van product, as well. With a little investment, the Sprinter could become an even better people moving tool for organizations like churches, schools, and maybe even some families, supplanting the age-old Ford E-Series Econoline and similar offerings from General Motors.
The current generation van can be configured as a people mover, but the revisions to the rear window glass and some packaging changes could indicate that Dodge is ready to go after some of the full-size van market. The Sprinter offers better fuel economy, more space, and an overall better packaging proposition than most full-size vans. It has been an expensive vehicle in the past, and previously the inventory mix heavily favored commercial customers, so it will be interesting to see if Dodge goes in this direction and reaches for the non-commercial consumer.
Thanks to David for the tip!
[Source: Allpar.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
farris 5:41PM (10/04/2006)
these are actually nice vans. some neighbors down the street have one for their disabled son, and every time i see it, i have to slow down and look closer.
it looks a lot better than the econoline and GM vans that roll around, and looks like it has about 1.5 to 2 times the vertical room inside. (maybe thats a bit exxageratory...)
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Grant 5:47PM (10/04/2006)
I thought this post was a joke at first. How many people have been anticipating spy shots of a Dodge Sprinter??
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steve 5:53PM (10/04/2006)
if they bring the 4x4 i'm on it like a fly on you know what. Get the small rv version and you got nice snow cruiser.
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frank 3:35AM (9/11/2007)
the Sprinter 4x4 is only available in europe and south africa but www.achleitner.co.za is converting and shipping them world wide. just the price!
there is in europe other manufacturers but they having problems with their front suspension.
Mark 5:57PM (10/04/2006)
Who cares about spy shots for a van you can already buy in Europe? It goes on sale here early next year. Just with Dodge badges:
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/newsprinter_02.jpg
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Vexorg 6:18PM (10/04/2006)
I've actually started seeing quite a few of these around here used mostly as delivery vans. There are also some starting to be used for shuttles here on campus.
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Ryan 6:25PM (10/04/2006)
I hope they dont put a biugger engine in them. The 2.7 is amazing. Lots of get up and go and 25mpg in real driving.
Better than V8 and V10 crap ford and chevy put in their vans and get 12 mpg.
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Chien-Ming Wang 8:29PM (10/04/2006)
the only thing that worries me about these van is also their great attribute - their tallness (headroom inside). that high center of gravity is a dream for trial lawyers in this country. (a la suzuki samurai)
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Brian 8:30PM (10/04/2006)
It's too bad Ford doesn't sell the Transit in the states; it makes the Sprinter look like a junk-mobile.
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Kumar 10:49PM (10/04/2006)
It's center of gravity is actually lower than those 15 passenger deathmobiles. It sits on smaller wheels, and a little lower to the ground. More colleges are getting these for transporting their teams, since they're safer than the old busses that you hear about rolling over on highways all the time.
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66coronet 5:38AM (10/05/2006)
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/01/30/208874.html
Diesel 3.0Lcrd V6 184 hp 400Nm. Plus 2.2Lcrd (most likely for europe only) Plus a gas 3.5L 258 hp 350Nm
A sight with lots of links. http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/vans/home/products/new_vans/new_sprinter.html
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Nov05/22NewMercSprinterNextSpring.html
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66coronet 1:02PM (10/05/2006)
4x4 sprinter
http://www.mercedes-benz.co.za/
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MikeW 10:27AM (10/05/2006)
If they weren't replacing the inline5 with the V6 diesel, DCX better have coupled the old engine to 7g-tronic?
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Bill 10:26AM (10/05/2006)
Love the Sprinter. They are showing up EVERYWHERE around where I live. First was FedEx, then large plumbing companies & electricians, then the hotels and airport shuttles, now universities and a few private owners have passenger versions. If you don't mind the commercial look, it's a lot of vehicle for the money.
I'm sure *somebody* out there has bought one as a passenger version, and reverse-engineered it with a Mercedes Benz grill and badges. Definately would be the only one on your block...
They're quiet too. Can barely hear them on the street.
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Chris 12:50PM (10/05/2006)
Has anybody ever driven one of these things? I worked as a delivery for FedEx Ground and had to drive one of these POS vans and it was awful. I dreaded when there was any hint of a wind because this thing is so tall it just gets pushed al over the road. It is also alot louder than the Ford or Chevy vans and is really top heavy around any corner at any speed. I'm glad I made enough money to get back in school and finish my degree because I feel sorry for anyone forced to drive one of these.
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Miro 10:23AM (10/06/2006)
TV Stations are loving this van as satellite or ENG vehicle
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jayson 3:03PM (10/05/2006)
#13
Thats total Bull. I absolutely dont agree.
I drive this thing all the time and love it. Yes it does not handle well, but handles like a van. Its economical and great power. I am amazed by its packaging and thoughtful features. I think its great.
IMHO
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Altered Sprinter 8:22AM (10/06/2006)
Chris, your out of you league on the Dodge Sprinter or as they are to be precise, a Mercedes-Benz ours have esp load control and they don't slide out of control with a load shift,(Wind shift, a Dodge will bend before the Sprinter does same as the Chevy, so think about what you say before you make any silly remarks on height. the new vans have a six speed auto if you want not that girly thing that was in the older models that caused so many complaints in the U.S. should never have been on the model, but that was a DCX decision, the new Sprinters can be ordered with AWD the same as any other Mercedes so you snow buzzards can have a ball,without fear of being bogged down in one inch of snow, no wheel spin, you are in total control of the vechile, no second guess when the rear end is going to let go, without warning! as in the local ford and chevy units twenty years out of date and down right dangerous.Look at your own Anti roll over problems that Ford had and never bothered to fix for a losy two hundred dollars? Thirty miles to the gallon on a highway run or 26.5 around town in urban traffic if you have first class Diesel fuel , other wise add an upper cylinder lubricant to compensate for the lesser fuel.
PS we have both the 2005 313 CDI mid wheeel base units manual far better than an auto, this vehicle is as quite as a church mouse on a sunday morning , returns 26.5 all the time never less 31.2MPG on a high-way run but we do not excedd 70 miles an hour.
Two fully imported Mercedes Benz with the new V6 518 CDI engine are now being fitted out to Australian design rules eg. side park lights flashers and seat belts, that was all that had to be modified, the vehicle is fully optioned but as a crew cab unit extra set of seats behind the driver, there is more options than you can poke a stick at, and the toys for the boys, well, what a blast. rear camera for night parking nav-sat links to Phone and PC for international communications DVD behind the seats as well as in the overhead console eight air bags twin cam two turbos one for the road and one to blow away any other competition, loads of fun and an absolute pleasure to own and drive. the only acc/ I recommend is the drivers and passenger side wind deflector.
I just hope this time round you guys get the full options, and DCX stop mucking around with the units
Front end treatment, I bet you will have the VW Crafter front clip. it's seems to be an option that suites the Dodge look.for the U.S. Market
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Chris 11:51PM (10/06/2006)
#15
Just becuase you don't agree doesn't mean it bull. Maybe your OPINION is bull itself.
#16
Outta my league huh? Thats for the lecture "dad" but I am entitled to my opinion and you have to agree at all but what the hell gives you the right to say I'm out of my league. Why the hell would a cargo company get full options? Maybe you are out of your league when you open your mouth? You have to be of the few who would get excited about a cargo van which is all this pile is.
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Fred 3:44PM (11/13/2006)
To #13, #15 and #16....
Girls girls girls, let's not fight. It's all about the right tool for the right job. This van has some great qualities about it. Those with large families have a limited choice of cars with more than 7 seat belts. This van is very appealing with its ability to haul the entire family, all of their stuff and still get good gas mileage. Anything this big will always fall a little short when getting compared to normal cars and SUV's, but it fits a niche that isn't easily filled. Based on the vans that I have test driven for 2006, it would appear that a number of improvements have been made for both driver and passenger comfort.
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