SPRINTER CELL(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 84

Mercedes has invested around 350 million euros into fundamentally improving its largest EV van, the eSprinter. Though the design changes are slight, the engineering updates are far-reaching, including a switch to rear wheel drive and a new range of batteries, the largest of which can take this LCV nearly three times as far as the original. In one giant leap, the Three-Pointed Star is back amongst the class leaders for large EV vans. Whether you could justify the cost of one is another question.

Background word count: 175

Manufacturers of large electric vans in Europe are in a quandary. They've been mandated under Euro 7 regulations to switch to full-electric drivetrains. But demand is way behind the aspirations of the politicians and it's clear that alongside EV-powered vans, they will also have to be producing diesel-powered ones for some time yet. With the eSprinter, their largest electric van, Mercedes' response to this has been in two parts. The original model, launched in 2020 with a feeble 95 mile range from its 55kWh battery and limited body options, clearly wasn't cutting it. Hence the far-reaching update we look at here, providing a top 113kWh battery that'll nearly treble that original model's driving range. Everything's changed here: in fact, Mercedes claims the only carry-over component from the original eSprinter is the charging port on the grille. And everything will change again from 2025 onwards when an all-new generation of Sprinter arrives based on the brand's van.ea architecture. That's for the future, but let's look at what this far-reaching first eSprinter update means for right now.

Driving Experience word count: 301

Engineering changes don't get much more fundamental than this. The eSprinter has switched from front to rear wheel drive, with the drivetrain now part of a new modular set-up. At the back, there's a completely new rear axle containing an electric motor putting out either 136PS or 204PS, depending on your preference. The vehicle's high voltage components and control systems now lie in the front portion of this van. While the battery packs sit in the middle under the floor and are now made of lithium-ion-phosphate and contain no nickel or cobalt. In place of the original model's old-tech 55kWh pack, there's now a choice of two available batteries: an entry-level 81kWh option and the top 113kWh battery that can take this Mercedes as far as 273 miles. Both motors put out a gutsy 400Nm of torque, one reason why the eSprinter can pull a 2,000kg trailer. And each motor weighs only around 130kgs and is characterised by particularly high efficiency and optimised thermal management.  Three driving programmes: Maximum Range, Eco and Comfort, control engine power, engine torque and climate control. You won't want to be selecting Maximum Range too often because it reduces power by 20%. There's a regenerative braking system of course, to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is controlled via these wheel-mounted paddle selectors; choose between five levels, the fiercest is 'D-', though you'll probably just leave your eSprinter in 'D Auto', which uses a radar sensor to select the optimum amount of regen, based on traffic or topography. Handling through the turns is actually slightly better than the diesel equivalent thanks to all the low-slung batteries. Refinement is un-bettered in the class - up to the highest Mercedes van standards. The turning circle is 13.4-metres with the L2 version and 15.3-metres with this extra-long L3.