Under the Hood...Profile of a Sprinter

• Five-cylinder diesel engine with common rail direct injection (CDI)
• Outstanding fuel efficiency of 22 mpg
• Electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission
• Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering

Performance and efficiency under the hood
Sprinter's Mercedes-Benz CDI 2.7 liter diesel engine is exactly what customers are demanding in a commercial vehicle. With 154 hp and 243 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 - 2,400 rpm, the state-of-the-art engine all but guarantees very low fuel consumption without sacrificing operating performance in meeting tough, daily applications. A proven winner, the OM 647 engine has already established itself in Europe in handling today's business delivery and transport needs.

Sprinter's five-cylinder engine technology is founded on the high-pressure injection method known as "Common Rail Direct Injection" (CDI), developed jointly by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch. In the past, direct injection diesel engines were known for excessive noise and exhaust emissions. The CDI engine significantly reduces both and, in the process, changes the face of diesel technology.

The principle of CDI, in short, is to inject fuel directly through one injector per cylinder. This improves upon the design of a conventional gasoline engine, which is subject to the limitations of such mechanical system components as the pump camshaft and multiple injection valves. Instead, the CDI engine is regulated by the precision of computer-controlled electronic shift impulses sent to the four solenoid valves in each cylinder.

With greater precision in both the quantity and the timing of the fuel injected, these functions can be adjusted almost infinitely by engine electronics to meet every challenge on the road. From frequent stopping and starting during city deliveries to maintaining proper speeds over rolling or winding terrain, the Sprinter engine performs efficiently, responsively, and powerfully.

In conjunction, the automatic 5-speed transmission system from Mercedes-Benz provides optimum power transmission and increases driver comfort, while keeping fuel consumption to a minimum.

Engine specs
Number/arrangement of cylinders 5 cylinders / in line
Displacement 164 cubic inches
Bore 3.46 inch
Stroke 3.48 inch
Injection Common rail direct injection
Engine output * 154 hp/3,800 rpm
Torque 243 lb-ft/1,600 - 2,400rpm
* According to SAE J 1349

The robust, sleeveless gray-cast iron cylinder crankcase, the pistons with coolant passages made from aluminum alloys, the forged crankshaft with six bearings, and the valve train with tappet and hydraulic valve lifters all underscore the high-tech nature of the engine. Notwithstanding, the state-of-the-art common rail direct injection and turbocharger with variable turbine geometry improve response characteristics, consumption and exhaust emission levels.

Setting a new standard, the advanced engine technology is rounded off by a comprehensive electronic engine management system that controls the CDI solenoid valves, idle speed stabilizer, vibration reduction system, exhaust gas
recirculation, start control, immobilizer and boost pressure controller.

Standard automotive five-speed transmission system available
The standard W5A 380 automatic five-speed Mercedes-Benz transmission system guarantees optimum power delivery, while offering easy shifting and economic ratios, long service life and low maintenance costs. The system has a torque converter lockup clutch to maximize fuel economy. With the "touch shift" system, the transmission offers drivers an easy way to accelerate in traffic or tackle an incline by simply tipping the gearshift left or right.

A sophisticated, safe chassis with impressive safety features
The Sprinter's chassis has established new benchmarks in Class 2 and 3 vehicles in terms of comfort and active safety features. The van's front axle has an independent suspension with a lower transverse link and damper struts, reinforced especially for the rigors of the North American market.

Fiberglass-reinforced plastic transverse leaf springs are integrated into the front axle housing. A one-inch thick stabilizer is fitted to vehicles rated at 8,550 lbs. as a standard feature. The rear axle has a differential diameter of 8.5 inches and is available with two different final drive ratios.

Rear Axle Ratio

The Sprinter has parabolic longitudinal leaf springs that are also responsible for wheel location. The springs are fixed to the frame using maintenance-free rubber-to-metal bushings.

Power-assisted rack and pinion steering for optimum handling
A power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system guarantees comfortable driving and easy maneuverability. The van's tight turning circle contributes to its handling and is a major benefit for navigating through busy metropolitan areas.

Turning radius