Mercedes-Benz releases US-spec 2014 Sprinter details

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel

Last week, Mercedes-Benz released the details for the updated 2013 Sprinter intended for global markets, but this week it has announced what changes are being made to the US-spec version of the van for the 2014 model year, including the Freightliner model. As expected, most of the changes made to the European model will be present on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter when it goes on sale in the US, which is expected to be this fall.

The biggest difference between the Sprinter announced last week and the one headed to our shores is what is found under the hood. While European Sprinters will come with diesel engines and offer the availability of a supercharged four-cylinder gasoline or CNG engine, US Sprinters will still offer the 3.0-liter V6 BlueTEC diesel. This year's Sprinter now comes standard with a new base engine, the 2.1-liter four-cylinder BlueTEC diesel. This smaller engine will produce 161 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, and will be paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission; the optional 3.0 V6 puts out 188 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and will be mated to a six-speed auto.

Fuel economy for the new Sprinter has not been announced, but Mercedes-Benz has made numerous changes with the goal of improving efficiency. To this end you'll find a new, low-friction rear axle and the optimization for the generator, fuel pump and power steering pump.

All of the other changes will carryover to the US including the revised exterior styling, the updated interior (which has not been revealed yet) and the advanced safety features such as collision prevention, blind spot detection and lane keep assist. Oddly enough, it appears that US Sprinter models will not be getting the Crosswind Assist feature. Mercedes-Benz USA has limited the number of images it revealed with this press release, so some of the models shown in the original gallery might not be offered in the US.

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Mercedes-Benz releases US-spec 2014 Sprinter details originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 May 2013 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit gets Combinator to build van of your dreams

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Marketing/Advertising

With the 2014 Ford Transit coming with more available factory configurations than the E-Series ever offered, Ford has come up with a quick and easy way for customers to choose from numerous build combinations. To help display which body styles, wheelbases and roof heights can be equipped with one another, the "2014 Transit Combinator" gets the job done.

The Euro-style Transit allows for an amazing number of options including four body styles, four roof heights and six wheelbase/frame options, and the Combinator offers an easy drop-down menu allowing potential customers to research the van before it goes on sale this fall; of course, this doesn't even factor in the Transit's three possible engine options. Even if you're not sure which version of the full-size van you might need, the self-explanatory random configuration button is always there for assistance.

Ford Transit gets Combinator to build van of your dreams originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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