Towing boost for Sprinter

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter family of light commercials is set to receive a significant boost in towing capacity, thanks to a locally developed, optional factory tow bar that will boost the vehicle's braked towing limit from 2000kg to 3500kg.

Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia says the higher-limit tow bar will initially be available for 5000kg GVM examples of the current Sprinter model, with the factory accessory to go on sale in the third quarter of 2015.

The tow bar will be able to be fitted to all engine and transmission combinations available within the current 5000kg GVM Sprinter line-up, across both panel van and cab/chassis variants.

While details are still scarce, the company says the tow bar will become available for other Sprinter models in due course, with timings yet to be confirmed.

Mercedes-Benz says the tow bar is being developed here in Australia to meet local market demands. Certainly its arrival will give the Sprinter an edge in the towing stakes when compared with major rivals, the new 3500kg braked limit equalling that of Ford's new Transit and Iveco's new Daily, and bettering the upper limits of Volkswagen's Crafter (2000kg), Fiat's Ducato (2500kg), and Renault's Master (3000kg).

Pricing for the optional tow bar will be announced closer to the product's launch, says Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia.

The Sprinter dominates Australia's large van market, the 2736 new examples registered in 2014 (FCAI VFACTS data) giving it a market share of 19.5 per cent in the 3501-8000kg GVM commercial market, which also includes light-duty trucks.

Its closest rival last year was Renault's Master, its 1086 registrations equating with a market share of 7.8 per cent. In fact, in the light-duty commercial class the Sprinter was only outsold last year by Isuzu's N-Series light-duty truck, its 3279 units delivering a leading market share for the segment of 23.4 per cent.

Click here to read the recent trucksales review of a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI cab/chassis.