It's a done deal. The ink is dried over last week's sale of DaimlerChrysler Corp.'s Chrysler Group to Cerberus Capital Management.
Of the number of vehicles spawned during the nine-year collaboration between Mercedes and Chrysler, one stands out among the largest -- the Dodge Sprinter commercial van.
For 2007, the Mercedes-based Dodge Sprinter gets a face-lift and larger dimensions that set a new standard in the full-size van market.
Sprinter is targeted for commercial use in a variety of lengths and body styles that include a windowless cargo van, passenger van and chassis cab model that may be outfitted with multiple aftermarket cargo box configurations.
Sprinter comes in a base 144-inch wheelbase and stout 170-inch wheelbase in either a 2500- or 3500-series, with choice of a 3.0-liter V-6 turbo diesel engine that churns 154 horsepower, or a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline motor that delivers 254 hp.
"The 2007 Dodge Sprinter reinvents how business gets done and is the latest entry in an aggressive barrage of new Dodge commercial vehicles," said George Murphy, Chrysler senior vice president for global brand marketing.
"Dodge brand continues to offer a strong portfolio of business vehicles to serve the commercial market." Topping the accolades are Sprinter's three roof heights that on the cargo and passenger " mega-roof" models, provide 7 feet of interior walking space.
Other class-leading attributes include cargo capacity of 600 cubic feet, with a payload that reaches 5,770 pounds. Maximum gross vehicle weight is 11,030 pounds.
Stepping in and out no longer is a Mount Everest conquest, as Sprinter has a low 19.9-inch step-in height and a class-leading 270-degree rear door opening. Its new pallet-friendly side cargo door slides open to a best-in-class width of 51 inches.
Earlier this month, I drove a diesel-powered Sprinter 2500 passenger van on a 500-mile round-trip from Chicago to Elkhart Lake, Wis., hauling supplies and bulky cargo for the Midwest Automotive Media Association's Spring Collection at Road America raceway.
The smooth-running diesel, coupled to a standard five-speed automatic transmission, provided brisk performance under the 1000-pound payload.
Though this trip was passenger-deleted, Sprinter's people-mover can comfortably seat 10 occupants in a sensibly spaced three-row configuration that allows rear cabin passengers to move to and from their seat in a dignified fashion with a walk-through ceiling height that can accommodate a 6-foot rider.
Passenger seats also feature quick-release latches that allow them to be easily removed without tools for cargo use.
Car-like handling makes Sprinter easy to drive with excellent forward and side-mirror visibility. Standard anti-lock brakes and adaptive electronic stability control monitor brake force, load mass and center of gravity to help reduce lateral roll associated with tall vehicles.
The Sprinter is built in Charleston, S.C., where a Chassis Cab model leaves with a base price of $30,950. Cargo vans start at $31,290, followed by passenger versions retailing at $33,490. All prices include destination charges.
