Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ECO-START : STOP, START, SPRINTER

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The Mercedes Sprinter is at its most economical in ECO-Start guise. Steve Walker reports.

It doesn't take a nuclear physicist to figure out that vans sitting idle in traffic jams are wasting money but particularly in busy urban areas, this kind of congestion enforced inactivity is becoming the rule rather than the exception. Mercedes is confident it has the technology to cut the wastage that occurs when the traffic stops flowing and it's fitted to the Sprinter ECO-Start.

Traffic lights, roadworks, accidents, congestion, it all leads to stationary traffic or at least the kind of painful stop, start crawl where nobody gets anywhere fast. Compounding the time that's wasted is the expensive fuel that's being burned as vehicle engines tick over and the pollution that pumps from their exhausts. Simply turning the ignition off isn't always convenient or cost-effective as extra fuel is used in restarting the engine again but the ECO-Start system fitted to the Mercedes Sprinter panel van adds a degree of automation that lets drivers instantly shut down and restart their vehicles. It gives potential fuel savings of 10% and that will be music to the ears of many operators. The ECO-Start technology is perfectly straightforward to use from a driver's perspective. There's a switch on the dashboard which turns the system on and off. When activated, it monitors the vans speed and recognises when it's stationary. At this point, the driver simply puts the gear lever into neutral, raises the clutch and the Sprinter's engine stops. When the road ahead clears, depressing the clutch again restarts the engine. It's a neat little system that has a useful degree of manual control so that drivers can leave the van in gear and keep the engine running if it's obvious that the traffic is about to move. ECO-Start isn't as slick in its operation as the best stop/start systems fitted to passenger cars which restart themselves almost seamlessly but after the briefest turnover of the starter motor, the engine reliably springs into life. One glitch is that when ECO-Start stops the engine at night and the headlamps are in automatic mode, the main beam lights turn off leaving the Sprinter sitting there with just its side lights on.

"â€¦the ECO-Start technology fitted to the Mercedes Sprinter is both simple and effective"

The Sprinter itself remains as adept as ever on the road. It's the rear-wheel drive layout and accomplished engines that forged its reputation as the speedster of the panel van sector and little has changed with the current model. There are two CDI diesel powerplants offered, a 2.1-litre four-cylinder that's offered with 88bhp, 109bhp, 129bhp or 150bhp outputs and a range-topping six-cylinder with 184bhp. Ride quality is first class and there's no better large panel van to cover big distances in. All Sprinter ECO-Start models get an up-rated battery and alternator to ensure the reliable operation of the system. An indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminates when the system is engaged. There are also failsafe systems that prevent the engine shutting down if there's insufficient charge in the battery to restart or if the outside temperature is below freezing and could hinder restarting. Otherwise, ECO-Start models are indistinguishable from standard Sprinters. There are over 1,000 different derivatives to select from with gross vehicle weights from 3 to 5 tonnes. If we ignore the crewbus, pick-up and crewcab models and stick to the panel vans, the four body lengths, three roof heights and three weight ratings multiply out to give over three dozen options. Inside, the links to Mercedes-Benz passenger cars are instantly apparent. The clear, classily penned instruments, the ventilation controls and the stereo installations are all borrowed direct from models like the B-Class and A-Class. This means that the quality is beyond what we've come to expect in panel vans. Elsewhere, care has obviously been taken to keep things tough and hardwearing while retaining the plush ambience. Aside from the overhead shelving, there isn't too much storage space for really large items but plenty of small cubbies are included to keep stationery and mobile phones in check. The door pockets are a little narrow and the coat hooks behind the seats aren't ideally located. Mercedes have found many customers reluctant to pay extra for optional safety features and so, they took the laudable step of giving the Sprinter a comprehensive safety specification as standard. Three point seatbelts with pretensioners and force-limiters are installed for all seats, a bulkhead is included on all panel van models, there are extensive impact protection measures and every Sprinter gets the advanced Adaptive ESP stability control system. Adaptive ESP has huge potential for helping the Sprinter's driver retain control in challenging road conditions and, ultimately, averting accidents. The system is comprised of ABS with brakeforce distribution and brake assist as well as conventional ESP stability control which can apply braking to any or the four wheels individually or cut power from the engine in order to maintain stability. Over and above this, the `Adaptive' part of Adaptive ESP can estimate the vehicle's mass and centre of gravity, adjusting its responses accordingly. It delivers more precisely controlled braking and better traction when there are different levels of grip on each side of the vehicle. It also reacts more precisely to understeer and oversteer situations by sensing the size and position of the load onboard. It's all clever stuff and testing the system on low friction surfaces really opens your eyes to the potential benefits. It would take a seriously committed driver to lose control of the Sprinter with adaptive ESP in attendance. The ECO-Start system's proposition is simple. It's a relatively inexpensive option to fit to your Sprinter but with 10% fuel savings realistically achievable, it can pay for itself very quickly indeed. Mercedes calculates that in a vehicle travelling 20,000 miles per year at an average of 25mpg, ECO-Start can pay for itself in less than two years. From then on, it's profit all the way. The system isn't foolproof, drivers will need to use it and use it properly. The point being that repeatedly stopping and starting the engine every time the vehicle reaches a standstill will not give optimum fuel efficiency The system should only be used to stop the engine when it's clear that the vehicle will be stationary for more than a few seconds and this is where the real cost benefits can be realised. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best and the ECO-Start technology fitted to the Mercedes Sprinter is both simple and effective. It will be of most benefit to operators whose vehicles spend a lot of time in urban areas or rush hour traffic but the prospect of saving 10% in fuel costs for such a limited outlay should appeal across the board. ECO-Start is another string to the Mercedes Sprinter's bow. This is one of the most technologically advanced and universally competent light commercial vehicles on the market and only the relatively high upfront costs give rival panel vans much of a look-in. They say you get what you pay for, however, and in the Sprinter's case, that would certainly seem to hold true.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Mercedes Sprinter ECO-Start range ENGINES: 4-cylinder CDI diesel 88, 109, 129 or 150bhp / 6-cylinder CDI diesel 185bhp / 6-cylinder petrol 258bhp. MAX PAYLOAD: 960kg (218 CDI SWB low-roof)/ 2,710kg ( 515 CDI SWB lo-roof) LOAD VOLUME: 7m3 - 17m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 3.0t, 3.5t, 3.8t, 4.6t, 5.0t