New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van teased – 2018 debut

The current second-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been in production for 11 years, and next year there will finally be a new one. A teaser sketch for the new van has been released ahead of its European market launch in the first half of 2018.

A number of design cues have been shared with last year’s Vision Van concept, including the arrow-shaped headlights and large grille, although it loses out on the show van’s front and rear LED displays that communicates with the surrounding environment. The more rounded and aggressive front end brings it closer in line with the design language of Mercedes’ passenger car range.

No details have been revealed just yet, but Stuttgart claims that the new Sprinter will introduce key elements of its adVANce initiative that it announced along with the Vision Van. A comprehensive suite of driving assistance systems and connectivity services will be introduced, as will new telematics technology that will improve the efficiency of vehicle and fleet management.

Expect the new model to launch with Mercedes’ new 2.0 litre four-cylinder and 3.0 litre straight-six diesel engines, and plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants should also be offered by 2020, in order for last-mile deliveries to continue in zero-emissions zones that are becoming more commonplace in city centres.

Production of the new Sprinter will remain in Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde; however, a new plant in North Charleston, South Carolina will now build vehicles for the North America, which has grown to become the model’s second largest market behind Germany. Current US-market Sprinters are shipped in from Germany and assembled there to circumvent high import tariffs.

GALLERY: 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter spyshots