Dodge Sprinter

2006-08-05T10:41:37Z

208.34.129.79:

{{Infobox Automobile
|image=[[Image:London-cc-mobile-l.jpg|250px]]
|name=Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
|manufacturer=[[Daimler-Benz]] (1995-1998), [[DaimlerChrysler]]
|production=[[1995]]–present
|predecessor=[[Mercedes-Benz T1]]
|class=[[Full-size car|Fullsize]] [[van]]
|body_style=4-door [[van]]
|platform=[[FR layout|FR]]
|aka=Dodge Sprinter Freightliner Sprinter
|related=[[Volkswagen LT]]
|similar=[[Chevrolet Express]] [[Ford E-Series]] [[Ford Transporter]] [[Ford Transit]] [[GMC Savana]]
}}

The '''Mercedes-Benz Sprinter''' is a tall delivery [[van]], [[pickup truck]] and [[minibus]] built by [[DaimlerChrysler]] and sold under its [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Dodge]], and [[Freightliner (truck)|Freightliner]] brands. It was launched in Europe in [[1995]] to replace the famous but outdated [[Mercedes-Benz T1]] van dating from the 1970s and in [[2001]] in the U.S. (originally branded as a Freightliner there). It is designed primarily for business, not private users. It is currently offered only with a 2.7 liter 5 cylinder inline [[diesel]] in the United States and [[diesel]], [[gasoline]] or [[LPG]] engines in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. An [[Hybrid car|electric hybrid]] version may be offered in the late [[2000s]].

For [[2004]], DaimlerChrysler introduced a Dodge-branded version of the Sprinter to replace the aging [[Dodge Ram Van]]. While the Sprinter is offered to individuals, it is primarily a business model. The Sprinter's main US competitors include the [[Ford E-Series]], the [[Chevrolet Express]], and ironically, older models of the Ram Van. In Europe and elsewhere, the main competitor is the [[Ford Transit]]. Overall around 1.3 million Sprinters have rolled off the assembly lines. The Dodge Sprinter sold 19,578 units in the United States in 2005, while Freightliner sold approximately 2,500 units. While giving it just 3.5% of the full-size van market, the van has gained immense popularity in the United States and Dodge and Freightliner have had difficulty keeping up with demand.

The current model designations are W901, W902, W903, W904 & W905 depending on the maximum permitted weight.

Dodge Sprinter owners have been discussing a possible flaw in the “Turbo Resonator”. Apparently they are plastic and the seal at a seam fails, causing boost pressure to be lost and making the computer detect a catastrophic turbo failure. Symptoms are a “Limp Home Mode” such as sudden decrease from highway speeds to about 35 mph. Because it is a seam leak it is not visually obvious when the engine is off, yet it still causes the computer to detect a failure during operation. Some claim that Chrysler-Daimler knows about this problem, but so far there has not been any service bulletin to their dealers on this issue.

==2007==
On the US market, the current Sprinter will be replaced in early [[2007]]. This model will be assembled for the United States at a plant in [[Ladson, South Carolina]] that is currently utilized by [[American LaFrance]], a former business unit of Freightliner LLC. The 2007 version is a complete redesign from the prior model. In 2007, the current 2.7 liter inline 5 cyliner turbodiesel will be replaced in the US with a choice of V6 turbodiesel or V6 gasoline engine. DaimlerChrysler plans to invest $35 million ([[USD]]) to prepare the plant for the assembly of Sprinter vans from kits imported from Europe.

Sprinter cargo vans are a popular choice of cargo van expediters in the United States. Such expediters are similar to truck drivers except they take smaller loads and will wait in a town indefinitely after unloading until dispatchers find another customer nearby to transport goods. The advent of the Sprinter van with its cargo space of 13 1/2 feet has allowed van expediters to take three 48" X 48" skids or pallets where previously they were confined to two. A Sprinter driver is capable of hauling approximately 3000 lb. of cargo. The pool of Sprinter drivers gives more choice, efficiency and flexibility to trucking companies and their customers.

==Sprinter model Line-up==
*Sprinter Passenger Van
*Sprinter Conversion Van
*Sprinter Cargo Van
*Sprinter Micro Bus
*Sprinter Cab/Chassis
<gallery>
Image:Sprinter 314facelift Police HK.jpg|A facelifted [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 314 of [[Hong Kong Police]].
Image:Sprinter 314 Police HK.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 314 of [[Hong Kong Police]].
Image:HK Police Van.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 314 of cruising in [[Hong Kong Police]].
Image:Fleet of HKPF.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 314 in fleet of [[Hong Kong Police]].
Image:Sprinter 416 new HK.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 416CDI [[ambulance]] with Singapore-built bodywork used by [[Hong Kong Fire Services Department]].
Image:Sprinter_416_UVG_HK.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 416CDI [[ambulance]] with UVG bodywork used by [[Hong Kong Fire Services Department]].
Image:Sprinter_414_UVG_HK.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 414 [[ambulance]] with UVG bodywork used by [[Hong Kong Fire Services Department]].
Image:HKFSD-ambulance.JPG|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] [[Hong Kong]] ambulance with [[Fire Services Department (Hong Kong)|FSD]] markings.
Image:London-cc-mobile-l.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] used to house equipment for the [[London Congestion Charge]].
Image:DHL-Fahrzeug.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] used by [[DHL]].
Image:Ambulância-urgência.jpg|A [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] [[Brazil|Brazilian]] ambulance with [[SAMU]] markings.
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Mercedes-Benz]] - Worldwide of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
*[[Dodge]] - USA & Canada of Dodge Sprinter
*[[Freightliner LLC]] - USA & Canada of Freightliner Sprinter

==Other links==
*[http://www.mercedes-benz.com/content/mbcom/international/international_website/en/com/international_home/home/products/vans/sprinter/sprinterpanelvan.html Official International website of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]
*[http://www.dodge.com/sprinter/index.html?context=vehiclePage&type=vehicleLink Official Dodge Sprinter website]
*[http://www.fl-sprinter.com/ Official Freightliner Sprinter website]
*[http://www.autoguidewiki.com/Dodge_Sprinter_2500_High_Ceiling_w/118%22_WB_Van AutoGuideWiki.com]
*[http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44288 Discussion of Power-Loss Issues]
{{Modern-auto-stub}}
{{Mercedes-Benz vehicles}}
{{Dodge}}

[[Category:Mercedes-Benz vehicles|Sprinter]]
[[Category:Buses]]
[[Category:Trucks]]
[[Category:Vans]]

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Dodge Sprinter