Mercedes, Freightliner, Dodge Sprinter
GM to install ESP in large vans in 2005, Ford in 2006
Feds push GM and Ford to install ESP in their large passenger vans.
Sprinters pioneered ESP in this segment, of vans with up to 3.5 tons,
starting with model year 2004 in the US, and model year 2003 in Europe.
The Sprinter ESP was first introduced at the IAA commercial vehicles 2002
in Hannover in September 2002.
March, 14, 2004
Dodge launches Sprinter cab
"More than ever, Dodge is dedicated to developing total
business solutions for our fleet and commercial customers," says Craig
Fisher, director of marketing and product planning. "Like our Sprinter
vans, the cab/chassis, with its quality construction and adaptability
for nearly every business need imaginable, is a dynamic product for a
diverse commercial customer audience."
New Freightliner Sprinter Website
opened: www.fl-sprinter.com
Sprinter dealers in Northern California
Folsom Lake Dodge in Folsom
Autowest Dodge in Roseville
Hartzheim Dodge in San Jose
Changes to the 2004 North American Sprinter
The most significant changes are to the engine:
New cylinder head
New injectors
Higher injection pressures (23,000 PSI vs. 20,000 PSI)
New EGR valve (now water-cooled)
New EGR valve actuator
new Sprinter conversions pricing
Prices include roof A/C and generator
Sportsmobile "Star-runner" RB-50 $54,000
Gulfstream "Vista Cruiser" $61,400
Leisure Travel "Free Spirit" $64,200
Forest River "M-B Cruiser" $67,100
Xplorer "Xtreme" $69,900
Airstream "Interstate" $85,000
Becker Automotive Design Sprinter Luxury Vans
12/6/2003 Becker Automotive Design in Oxnard, California near LA, builds
discretely armored luxury vehicles, and luxury transports, and is
now working with Sprinter vans, offering remote controlled sliding
doors, fully electric Maybach recliner seating, reinforced armoured
protection, many
different floor plans, double glazed panorama windows and Maybach
sound proofing for example.
They also offer four wheel drive for American spec Sprinters without
raising the vehicle by 4 inches like in Europe. Audiophile sound
systems with speakers from Dynaudio in Denmark, McIntosh amplifiers
and Kimber Kable audio wiring are tuned to individual client's preferences.
Also have a look at their impressive client's list. All Becker vehicles
can be exported to countries across the globe, and they also offer
Euro Specification Sprinters for clients in Europe/South America/Middle
East and TÜV approved modifications. Included is a 3 year warranty valid
worldwide. They fly out technicians.
"The Sprinter is a very exciting vehicle for us", said Cole Crockwell,
director of Becker Automotive Design Research and Development, "and we
are having a lot of fun working with it. It has such great engineering
that went into it and it is revolutionary on so many levels. The safety
features it combines, etc...make it a truly better choice when compared
with the competition..."
Becker Automotive Design Sprinter van
Dodge and Airstream Unite to Debut Sprinter Westfalia RV
12/3/2003 The Westfalia Sprinter - when you yearn for those wide
open spaces. It's a combination of comfort, functionality and safety and
provides expanded living and sleeping capacity for four people, full
kitchen with refrigerator, stove top burners, and plenty of storage, a
fold out dining table to seat five, bathroom with shower, sink and
toilet. In short it combines all the benefits that are Sprinter and is
outfitted to be truly 'at home in the great outdoors'.
Branded as Dodge and outfitted by Westfalia, it will be sold by
Airstream.
"This is the beginning of a new era for camper-van users," added
Airstream President Richard Riegel. Continuing, he said, "With its
revolutionary interior space concept, user-friendly features, and
exceptionally high standard of workmanship, it should soon be regarded
as the benchmark for quality and reliability in the compact camper-van
segment. We're enthusiastic and encouraged by this new relationship with
Dodge and look forward to the future and very bright prospects this
tremendous product brings."
www.dodge.com www.airstream.com
DaimlerChrysler reached the 70.000 Sprinters in Argentina
Sao Bernardo do Campo, 12/03/2003 - DaimlerChrysler Argentina has
produced the 70.000th Sprinter. Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been produced
in Argentina for over 52 years.
One million Mercedes-Benz Sprinters produced
Stuttgart/Düsseldorf, 11/14/2003
- The one millionth Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van has now left the
production line at the DaimlerChrysler plant in Düsseldorf. The
jubilee vehicle, which DaimlerChrysler is donating to the World
Childhood Foundation founded by Queen Silvia of Sweden, is a
nine-seater 311 CDI crewbus in arctic white with a high roof and
auxiliary heating. It is destined for the "Lithuanian Aids Center" in
Vilnius, Lithuania, where it will be used for the social integration
of young women and children.
Creative Mobile Interiors, Inc. in Grove City, Ohio
makes the "Sprinter PLV" (Personal luxury Vehicle) suitable
for example for tailgate parties. There are quite a few interior
pictures on their site or take the "Sprinter virtual tour".
Owen Connaughton, president of CMI, said they are currently developing
a class B motorhome that will have a coach quality interior as well
as an affordable price tag.
Creative Mobile Interiors, Inc.
http://www.eurocarparts.co.uk/
sells Sprinter parts and ships internationally.
Sprinter Accessories from Reimo
The Airstream Sprinter became available
"The photo in Colonial Airstreams photos is the prototype which was
built on a 2003 3500 Chassis. The production model will be built on
a 2004 2500 Chassis and hit the dealers in December of 2003. Orders
placed now will hit the dealers in January of 2004. The Base MSRP is
$72,664.00 and options include:
Awning, Roof rack, Generator, TV Flat Screen, DVD, Drivers Seat
Leather, Sofas Ultra Leather, Speakers/Sterio System,
Microwave Oven, Spare Tire, Molded Fiberglass Running Boards, Floor
Mats. They will use cherry wood."
Airstream
Colonial Airstream
Sprinter will be 50 states legal starting February 2004
and can then also be sold in California and other states which
follow CARB rules, e.g. Massachussets, New York, Vermont and Maine.
info from Craig Fischer, DC Vans
GERMANY: DaimlerChrysler invests in van plant body and paint shop -
report
Sep 02 2003 DaimlerChrysler said on Tuesday that it will invest
€ 300 million to build a new body and paint shop at its cargo
van plant, near Berlin, according to Dow Jones.
The work on the expansion of the plant in Ludwigsfelde, Germany, is for
the production of the NCV3, the successor to the Mercedes Sprinter, the
report said.
Construction, which begins in October, is due to be completed in August
2004
at the plant where DaimlerChrysler employs 1,500 people, Dow Jones said.
Sprinters to be available in Canada at "5 star" Dodge dealers starting at the end of September 2003, model year 2004
Isringhausen Sprinter seats
Isringhausen produces the seats for the Sprinter. They also offer
a retrofit, sometimes referred to as "the ultimate drivers' seat".
ISRINGHAUSEN GmbH & Co. KG
Detroit News article: Sprinter allows tax break for self employed
May 18, 2006 detnews link dead, updated
December 18, 2002
Danny Steyn: How to build the Ultimate Windsurfing Van
Great info site with pictures and detailed info
how to build an ultimate windsurfing Sprinter van.
Danny Steyn: "This page contains a step-by-step approach to
modifications on a 140" Hi-Top Sprinter, as well as the conversion
to Mercedes badging, plus the complete search that I did back in
2002 for the best wheels for the sprinter van.
If this page helps anyone a short note is always appreciated
many thanks" - Danny Steyn.
Ultimate Windsurfing Sprinter Van
5/30/2006 link updated
OCT 2002
Mercedes-Benz James Cook Sprinter comes out on top in readers' poll
In the annual readers' poll held by the camper van publication
"Promobil" the James Cook Sprinter has taken the number one spot in the
"camping bus" category for the eighth time in succession.
Sprinter Nifty Fifty
Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine, one of the nation's leading commercial
vehicle publications, has selected the new Dodge Sprinter Van as a
recipient of the 2002 "Nifty Fifty" Award.
Windshield robot
A Kuka robot inserts the Sprinter's windshield with very tight and
even tolerances.
Sprinter Accessories on the DaimlerChrysler server
Sprinter service manual released
DaimlerChrysler now has available on a CD-ROM
a Service Manual with several Diagnostic Manuals and electric wiring
diagrams for the Dodge Sprinter. Believe the price to be approximately
$90 USD's plus Shipping & Handling. For those
interested, call 1-800-890-4038 (DaimlerChrysler's Service
Literature Distribution Center) Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM E.S.T..
Ask for 2003 SPRINTER SERVICE INFORMATION CD Item #81 316 0325CD.
Another, and more complete service CD can be obtained from Freightliner
parts departments for model year 2002, also covering fleet maintenance
and options only available in Europe.
from the Sprinter mailing list
Sprinter optional ESP
Adapting the ESP software for the Sprinter's requirements was quite
a challenge for the engineers. The large variety of engine and gear
types, wheelbase sizes and maximum permitted vehicle weights resulted in
around 30 different types. Each of them requires an individual
adaptation of the 80 or so different parameters in the ESP software.
Depending on the actual load carried, the weight and center of gravity
of the vehicle can change significantly: but this problem area was also
successfully solved so as to ensure the greatest possible degree of
safety for drivers and passengers. The optional Sprinter ESP was
introduced at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2002 in Hannover.
In the US ESP became standard for the 2004 model year in the 2500 line.
Midway Specialty Vehicles, LLC offers custom designed Sprinters
Forest River Inc offers Sprinter Class B conversions.
Explorer Extreme Motorhome
is online now with lots of pictures.
4x4 Sprinter
from Iglhaut-Allrad or Oberaigner is not available in North America.
Iglhaut Allrad
Oberaigner
Sprinter plant to be built in Georgia, CANCELLED
A new $700 million plant for the Sprinter cargo and passenger vans
might be built on a 1500 acre site in Pooler, near Savannah, Georgia, employing
3000. It would be a coup for Georgia, who had last succeeded to attract an
auto plant in 1947. Governor Roy Barnes made the announcement in a
press conference on October, 18, 2002. The smaller Vito vans might
also be built there.
The final decision has not been made yet and is expected
in the summer of 2003. The European Sprinter is built in
Düsseldorf and in the future also in Berlin-Ludwigsfelde together with
the Vaneo, and maybe the new Volkswagen LT3. DaimlerChrysler has been
cooperating with VW since 1996 on commercial van development.
The decision to build the plant was postponed in July 2003 and
the project was cancelled in September 2003.
Sprinter James Cook
When you yearn for those wide open spaces.
This version of the Sprinter vans will come to
America in 2003 as a 2004 model year, according to the manufacturer
(Westfalia). It will probably be possible to register Sprinters in
California starting in October 2003, if all statutory requirements
are met by then. more diesel info.
James Cook
Freundeskreis
James
Cook on the Mercedes-Benz server
Some Sprinter Equipment and Accessories
Roof racks (UK)
EuroCampers SKL Enterprises:
Sprinter and VW Camper
Leisure Travel Vans: FREE
SPIRIT 210
Reimo
Sportsmobile in Austin, Texas
Schwabenmobil
Exterior Dimensions, Cargo Extras, Turning Radius Diagrams.
TRAKKA Jabiru camper
based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (Australia)
Mercedes badges for the Sprinter (MY2002)
A 901 880 0085 Mercedes radiator grille
A 901 817 1016 7" dia Mercedes star emblem for grille
A 901 810 0018 3.5" dia Mercedes badge for hood
Even easier, someone on the Sprinter mailing list has put together
complete Sprinter to Mercedes conversion kits, for about $150 or so.
Contact Nick in the UK (nick.mercedes@ntlworld.com) for his
Mercedes-Benz Kit (Grille, Wheel Hubs, Rear MB Decal and Steering
Wheel Star). Or try Randy Steele "the mbpartsguy", epsparts@impulse.net,
http://www.allauto-parts.com 805-683-4020/800-334-2749.
Exclusive to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: State-of-the-art
refrigerated distribution body
Stuttgart, Sep 25, 2002. Ever since it was first launched in 1995, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been a non-stop success story, and with production to date totalling around 800,000 vehicles, it has firmly established itself as a true best-seller. This model series, which is also sold in the USA under the brand names of Freightliner and, in future, Dodge having first been adapted to local market and statutory requirements, will be showcasing a host of facelift measures in autumn 2002. All Sprinter Crewbus and Panel Van variants up to 3.5 t GVW, for example, are now available with the ESP Electronic Stability Program, including ASR acceleration skid control, ABS anti-lock braking system and BAS Brake Assist. ESP is even being fitted as standard in some countries, including Germany. The facelifted Sprinter also boasts new, eye-catching exterior styling. Clear-lens headlamps and red/white two-tone taillights emphasise the striking lines of the Sprinter, as well as improving practicality, with the new clear-lens headlamp technology boosting light output still further. A modified radiator grille, white turn signal repeaters and a selection of other details add the finishing touches to the new look.
Exclusive model for the ultimate in chilled produce transportation But it doesn't stop there: the Sprinter is now seeking to reinforce its leading position in the van market by offering a range of innovative transportation solutions. The latest example is a refrigerated van conversion from Kerstner Fahrzeugklimatechnik GmbH. One of its exemplary features is the use of new insulation technology for a c-value (thermal conductance) below 0.4 W/m2.K., meaning that the refrigerated van conversion complies with the tightest statutory regulations for the transport of chilled produce. The refrigerator unit is driven by an electric motor and fed with power from the vehicle's alternator and an auxiliary battery. The refrigeration capacity is therefore generated without drawing on the power of the vehicle's engine, avoiding the need to tamper with the original vehicle engineering in any way.
Comprehensive standard specification This means that following conversion to the Kerstner refrigeration technology, the Sprinter van is still able to refrigerate its load when loading or unloading in pedestrian precincts, for example, without passers-by being irritated by exhaust emissions or the noise of the diesel engine. Standard specification includes an integral draining system with water drain which ensures that dirt and the water used for cleaning are drained away efficiently, plus vacuum-insulation panels which allow the insulation panelling around the wheel arches to be made so flat that an entire Euro palette can be loaded and between the wheel arches. Also new are the optional multi-chamber systems which feature a number of different temperature zones to provide optimal refrigeration for different groups of produce, plus self-cleaning surfaces in the refrigerated body which repel particles of dirt, as well as a rotating spray nozzle on the ceiling which flushes dirt out of every nook and cranny in the load compartment, thereby ensuring maximum cleanliness. Integral guide rails for fitting shelves and intermediate floors are fitted as standard. A choice of either aluminium or stainless steel panelling is available for the bottom floor. Another brand new development known as the "chilled airflow curtain" can be specified as an option. Every time the light-action load compartment doors at the side and rear of the vehicle are opened, a stream of chilled air is generated to maintain a constant temperature inside the load compartment, thereby preventing the refrigerated goods from warming up when the doors are opened or the chilled air from escaping during loading and unloading. Should the refrigerant unit ever develop a defect, it can be replaced with a new unit in a matter of minutes thanks to the "quick-out" system. This means that the vehicle does not have to be unloaded and results in zero downtime.
Kerstner will be supplying most of these innovative features for
refrigerator bodies exclusively for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for a one
year period. text DaimlerChrysler
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Refrigerated Sprinter by Van Shield
click on pic to enlarge
DaimlerChrysler introduces the Sprinter cargo and passenger vans to the US. They come with the MBE 600 2.7 liter turbocharged 5-cylinder diesel with 154 hp and 243 lb-ft. @ 1600 to 2400 rpm.
Sprinter crash and dynamic handling tests
Sprinter, LT2 and VW Crafter Forum (German)
written October 2002 and updated from time to time
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