Mercedes-Benz will unveil its new minibus generation at the IAA International Motor Show for Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Germany.
The new Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter forms the basis for an all-new generation of minibuses. As before, they comprise the model series Sprinter City, Sprinter Transfer, Sprinter Mobility and Sprinter Travel. The names stand for operations in regular service, as a versatile shuttle bus, for transport of passengers with limited mobility, and for tourist transport.
A stand-out role is played here by the all-new Sprinter City 75 with its exclusive technology. At 8.5 metres long, this regular-service bus has seats for up to 38 passengers and features a "unique" frame structure. Concealed under its body is a special long wheelbase of 5095 mm, which provides the basis for a low-floor platform between the axles. This can be put to flexible use with tip-up seats, wheelchair and pram bays, seating with a quick-change securing system or as standing space.
The heavy duty rear axle, developed and manufactured exclusively for the Mercedes‑Benz minibuses. Its greater load-carrying capacity of 5.0 t provides the basis for a permissible gross vehicle weight of 6.8 t. Alongside the new Sprinter City 75 is the somewhat more compact Sprinter City 45.
The Sprinter Transfer takes to the starting line with a comprehensive line-up. Its four models range from the 5.9 metre long Sprinter Transfer 23 to the 7.7 metre Sprinter Transfer 55, which features an extended rear end that complements the design perfectly. The Sprinter Mobility is the model series aimed specifically at carrying passengers with restricted mobility. The compact Sprinter Mobility 23 benefits from having a permissible gross vehicle weight of just 3.5 t. The Sprinter Mobility 45 deserves particular attention: a new raised floor has been added over the wheel arches. This allows two wheelchairs to stand alongside each other at the level of the rear axle.
The model start-up of the new minibuses will be staggered and will reflect the availability of the Sprinter: it will start later this year with the Sprinter Transfer 23 and 35, the Sprinter Mobility 23 and the completely re-engineered Sprinter City 75. The rest of the models in these series will follow next year, as will all models of the Sprinter Travel. Once the model changeover is complete, by the autumn of 2019, the product range will comprise more than 20 left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive models.
