Mercedes-Benz invited TFLtruck out to Daimler Vans Manufacturing in Ladson, South Carolina to test the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4X4 along with the regular ’15 Sprinter. Adding to that, Mercedes-Benz included several hands-on demonstrations of their newest Sprinter innovations, a factory tour and swamp-boats.
Yes, swamp-boats.
Mercedes-Benz wanted to demonstrate their “Crosswind Assist” technology which helps the driver maintain control of the Sprinter, even under extreme wind conditions.
How extreme?
Three beefy swamp-boats were lined up, tails facing a strip of tarmac that a 2014 and 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter would cross. Powering-up all three swamp-boats to create a 90 – 100 mile-per-hour crosswind, the vans pass through at high speed. Where the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fought to hold on, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter… well, you’ll have to wait for the video to see the results. It’s good video.
The same thing goes for the fairly challenging (for any van) off road course. Two 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4X4s were made available for journalists to drive the dirt course.
We got video of that too.
One interesting fact is that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was the first volley from Europe that changed the van-game in the United States. Packaging, diesels, performance and utility changed in our van market after the introduction of the Sprinter.
Now, with the advent of a real 4X4 system and nifty gizmos, perhaps the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is ready to shake up our market again.
Stay tuned for TFLtruck’s videos of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter soon!
In the meantime, take a look at this fun and informative review of the 2014 Ram ProMaster.
