Tradesmen, couriers and other operators of smaller vans can now access the award winning safety, efficiency and drivability of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with the release of the 210 CDI Compact model.

The Compact may be the “baby” of the Sprinter range, but it has the same pedigree as the biggest versions, which range up to 17 cubic metres in load capacity.

And it also shares the Sprinter ethic: works like a truck, drives like a car.

Even though it’s the smallest, most affordable Sprinter with a footprint smaller than that of most double cab utes, the Compact can still accommodate 7.5 cubic metres of load – significantly more than the usual tradesman or courier van. And with the optional high roof, the Compact’s load space rises to 8.5 cubic metres as well as providing full standing room.

The Compact even shares the high-tech OM651 four cylinder diesel with larger Sprinter versions, although it is optimised for fuel efficiency. Rated at 70kW at 3800rom and 250Nm from 1400rpm to 2400rpm, the 2143cc engine consumes just 9.1 litres/100km under the tough European testing regime. It’s also remarkably environmentally friendly, meeting the latest Euro Five emissions standard.

When the standard six-speed manual gearbox is chosen the van even comes with the Mercedes-Benz ECO Start stop-start system, which saves fuel at every traffic light.

With electronically managed direct injection, common rail high pressure fuel distribution, turbocharging and intercooling, the Sprinter Compact engine has the performance for Mercedes-Benz to give the van a towing rating of two tonne in addition to its payload rating of almost a tonne. The Compact’s low purchase price, starting at just $58,190 including GST, fuel-efficient engine and 30,000km service intervals mean owners can enjoy Mercedes-Benz technology and safety at whole of life costs competitive with those of much more basic vans.

An example of this technology is the Sprinter’s Adaptive ESP stability program. Most vans on the New Zealand market don’t have a stability program at all, but the Sprinter’s is so sophisticated it senses the weight of the load inside the van, its centre of gravity and even whether there’s a trailer behind the vehicle and adjusts the level of intervention to suit.

Just like the bigger Sprinters, the Compact also has electronically controlled disc brakes on all four wheels and airbags both sides of the cabin, with side and thorax airbags optional.

Mercedes-Benz is widely recognised as a leader in vehicle safety and the Sprinter range is no exception, with a strong safety cell cabin, the full range of electronic safety systems, standard air-conditioning and standard features such as adaptive brake lights, which flash to warn following drivers that the van is making an emergency stop.

Both safety and ease of driving start under the van’s body, whatever its size, and the Compact has the same sophisticated suspension, tuned to suit each vehicle’s particular application, and accurate power steering as the 17 cubic metre maxi-van at the top of the Sprinter range.

Inside the cabin the Sprinter’s steering wheel is more upright than usual and the gearshift lever is mounted close to it to provide a more car-like driving position. The steering wheel adjusts for height and reach and the driver’s seat has an extensive range of adjustments to ensure any size or shape of driver can find an ideal position.

The manual six-speed gearbox has a wide spread of ratios that make loaded hill starts in first gear and slow-speed manoeuvring easy, along with a high top gear for optimum fuel economy on the highway.

Now that it’s no longer legal to use a hand-held mobile phone Mercedes-Benz has included Bluetooth connectivity across the Sprinter range.

Large heated mirrors with wide-angle lenses and expansive areas of glass give such good all-round vision that even the biggest Sprinters can feel as easy as a car to drive. For those still finding the size a challenge Mercedes-Benz offers rear parking sensors among a vast array of options that include luxury car features like automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers and extend to major items such as four-wheel-drive.

A twin passenger seat in place of the standard single one and cruise control are options for the Compact, while tinted glass, a variety of glazing arrangements in the rear and alloy wheels are also available.

Then there are some clever options like an automatic sliding door that opens and closes as the driver approaches or leaves the van, provided the key is in his pocket.

Even then the local options list is only a starting point and Mercedes-Benz New Zealand Sales Manager – Vans, Blaine Barratt says that with the complete model range and options list from Germany it’s possible to custom build a Sprinter to suit practically any owner’s requirements.

The four cylinder diesel engine comes with two more powerful ratings than the 210 CDI Compact version’s and at the top of the range there’s a 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine that produces 140kW and 440Nm.

A fully automatic transmission with available Start-off Assist to make hill starts easier is an option on the Sprinter and a rarity in a vehicle sector dominated by robotised manual transmissions that can be unpopular with drivers unfamiliar with them.

Even though it’s the smallest Sprinter, the Compact takes the work like a truck, drive like a car ethos seriously and a wide range of loading configurations is available. A right-side sliding door is optional, as are rear barn doors that open right around to the sides of the van.

Different bulkheads between the cab and load area, a variety of load floor coverings and internal linings and even different load anchorages can be ordered.

With the smaller Vito and now the Sprinter Compact, Mercedes-Benz can offer a range of vans spanning sizes from 5.2 cubic metres to 17 cubic metres. Which makes it easy for the tradesman to find exactly what he needs – the right tool for the job.