Mercedes has upgraded the drivetrains of the Sprinter van ahead of the arrival of an electric version.
here in the U.S. , but that doesn't mean the automaker is abandoning the current internal-combustion version. On the contrary, Mercedes is overhauling the drivetrain offered in the Sprinter, improving both performance and efficiency.
Mercedes on Tuesday provided the first details on its 2023 Sprinter lineup during the 2022 Work Truck Week underway in Indianapolis, Indiana. Due in showrooms early next year, the 2023 Sprinter will benefit from a standard 9-speed transmission, plus a new all-wheel-drive system and powertrain lineup.The Sprinter will finally offer Mercedes' 9-speed automatic transmission used in the automaker's passenger car lineup, and some Sprinter grades, as a standard feature.
Another key change will be the adoption of an all-wheel-drive system similar to the one Mercedes uses in its passenger car lineup. Here, the drive torque will be automatically sent to the axle where it's needed, with up to 50% able to be split between the front and rear axles. This is in contrast to the current engageable system, which is split 35/65 front-to-rear when in 4x4 mode.
As mentioned above, an electric powertrain is planned. It will be available in the second half of 2023, meaning we should see it arrive for the 2024 model year. The electric powertrain is expected to be offered exclusively with a single motor at the rear, but buyers will be able to choose from multiple battery options.High-Res Gallery: