Sprinter Life: Our Top 15 Sprinters in Work or Play
The Sprinter from Mercedes-Benz has been the staple of working, camping and all around vanning in Europe since 1995, but it’s only been in the U.S. for 14 years. With Americans becoming more accustomed to the Euro-van, we’re starting to see more and more used for work and play.
While the rest of the world got their first version of the Sprinter in 1995 with the 903/T1N chassis, here in the U.S. we’ve only had it since 2001 thanks to Freightliner and DiamlerChrysler. Part of the reason it makes it rather tough to get one here is due to the outdated Chicken Tax. However, the way around that is by disassembling the Euro-built version and reassembling it here. That aside, the Sprinter van has helped shape a new vision for vans here, with other marques bringing Euro built and designed vans over. Many of which are selling rather well.
To celebrate 15 years of Sprinter Vans here in the States (and 20 years abroad), we’ve picked out 15 vans we thought were too awesome to pass up, which will also hopefully influence some more interesting uses.
Want to survive a trip to the greater wilderness? The Bocklet Dakar 750 is based on the Sprinter 6×6 chassis with some really awesome looking accommodations. The 190-powerstroke Turbodiesel carries the 7,000-kg (yes, over 15-thousand-pounds) with ease thanks to AWD and differential lockers for tough stuff.
If you see the name Brabus, you know something special has been built. The 2.2-liter CDI is tuned to make 180-horsepower for the 215, 315, and 415 and the 218, 318, and 418 can put out 224-horsepower. Get the 224, 324, or 424 and you get 310-horsepower and 400-Nm (295-ft/lbs). You also get Monoblock E wheels in 18×8 wrapped in 255/55 R18 Yokohama or Pirelli tires for maximum grip. Considering how well the Sprinter handles from the factory, we can only imagine what better and wider tires will do.
Do you need more space than a roof can contain? Then this Beraigner Sprinter 6×6 with a bed may suit you better. Add in that it is capable of hauling 4-tons and has increased maneuverability — thanks to their patented Double-Pendulum suspension that can traverse 24-inch dips — and this might be one amazing “pickup.”
Though it is also pretty cool to see a side-dumping Sprinter 3500.
Just because you’re racing in Formula 1 doesn’t mean you absolutely need a semi-hauler to get around. Check out what Marussia F1 did in 2014 for the first testing session of that season – a Sprinter with an aerodynamic trailer. Sadly, despite that never-give-up spirit, Marussia F1 went into bankruptcy and Jules Bianchi’s death in Japan was sort of a final nail for Marussia F1. However, they have returned as Manor Marussia F1 and helped Alexander Rossi become the first U.S. driver in the series since Scott Speed in 2007. More good news? John Booth has announced they will use Mercedes power units in 2016.
Think the police can’t use a Sprinter to nab you when you’ve misbehaved? You may want to rethink that.
You may also rethink your terrorist operations with a military-spec Sprinter hauling soldiers to take you out.
Probably one of the more popular things to plan for in a Sprinter, outside a small mobile home, are food trucks. Many Sprinters have been used in this configuration and build, including new 2015 models.
If two-wheels are your thing, the Sprinter is probably one of the best suited vans with its taller roof, even in short roof configuration. Hill climb, anyone?
Dirt Bikes…
Or even human powered two-wheelers. You can get some really good hauling capability with a Sprinter for your bikes.
Even factory mountain bike teams rely on the space a Sprinter affords them to work on their bikes, while also getting out of the elements.
It doesn’t have stupid articulation, but the new 2015 4×4 Sprinter does really great off the beaten path.
However, if you need stupid amounts of articulation, you can get that and more with a Sprinter 4×4. Who wants to take on the King of the Hammers with a Sprinter?
You don’t even need that when your rally racing. The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles is a race run in the Moroccan desert. While it may be limited to women only, it is a rather tough rally to run. The prologue and all six legs must be run without GPS. Participants are not even allowed cell phones or binoculars. Only your sense of direction and the 1:100,000-scale map are all you’re allowed. Also unlike stage rally or even the Dakar, Rallye des Gazelles is a distance race with the winner driving the least amount of kilometers between checkpoints in a given amount of time, rather than fastest time from checkpoint to checkpoint. This also means that penalties are given out in kilometers rather than time, and include missed checkpoints or requests for technical assistance. The 2015 winner in the Crossover Class was Alyssa Roenigk and Chrissie Johnson in a 2015 Sprinter. Mercedes also took Second and Third places in Crossover.
So, are you going to get yourself a Sprinter now?
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