MERCEDES-BENZ
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SPRINTER
After being bounced about by the two Japanese cab-avers, we were locking for a more sophisticated ride from the Sprinter crewcab... and, by golly, we got it, both onand off-road thanks to the Sprinter's excellent suspension and chassis set-up.
Its semi-normal control layout also means cab access is much more comfortable and it's easy to move back into the crew cab section from the driving compartment thanks in part to the dash-mounted gearshift.
The Sprinter's typically Teutonic dark trim will go the distance with any utility fleet, although the 'crinkle' finish dash trim will collect dust and cement powder, and what's with the glittery strips either side of the radio and heater controls?
The real eye-opener, though, was the massive amount of storage, and the three-point seatbelts on all four positions of the rear bench seat. Marc's optional 3.0-litre Sprinter diesel would have provided us with more oomph than our 2.2-litre four-pot, although the latter set a brisk lap and hill time with no fuss and very low in-cab noise levels, Ironically, one of our biggest grumbles with the Sprinter concerned the Ingimex tipping body, which needs decent steps to climb up into the body and dropside catches that don't stiffen up. A lights-on' warning buzzer wouldn't go amiss. either.
Optional extras include ECU-Start, air-con and metallic paint. SW