Mercedes-Benz Vans lobs new Sprinter Transfer

BY CALLUM HUNTER | 14th May 2020

MERCEDES-BENZ Vans Australia has launched the newest version of its Sprinter Transfer minibus, priced from $72,479 before on-road costs for the entry-level 414 CDI and $87,926 for the more powerful 416 CDI.

Safety, comfort and versatility are all said to have been improved on the new 12-seat model.

Standard equipment on the base 414 CDI includes keyless start, revised roof mounted air conditioning system, reclining passenger backrests as well as folding armrests, USB charging points and smartphone storage compartments.

Just like Mercedes’ passenger cars, the new Sprinter Transfer also scores the latest version of the premium brand’s MBUX multimedia system which is accessed via a 7.0-inch touchscreen display on the dashboard, with a bigger 10.25-inch unit available as an optional extra.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring are standard across the board while satellite navigation comes as standard with the bigger display (optional extra for 7.0-inch system).

In terms of safety, active brake assist, blind spot assist, reversing camera, lane keeping assist, attention assist, cross wind assist along with front and side airbags for the driver and front seat passenger are fitted as standard.

Radar-based adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping assist and Mercedes’ parking package with surround-view camera are also available but only as optional extras.

Compared to the 414, the 416 CDI adds a few extra visual and convenience niceties including a chrome grill, alloy wheels, fogs lamps, automatic ‘high-performance’ headlamps, partial LED tail-lights, comfort overhead control panel, electric rear sliding door and rain sensing wipers.

Both versions utilise a 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine which in the 414 produces 105kW and 330Nm while in the 416 it churns out a meatier 120kW and 350Nm.

A seven-speed automatic transmission is the only one available with drive being sent to the rear wheels only.

As with every Sprinter, service intervals on the Transfer are pegged at an impressive 40,000km or every two years and come with a five year/250,000km warranty.

So far this year ending April, Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia has sold 50 Sprinter Buses, two more than it managed over the same period last year (+4.2 per cent).

The 50 sales were enough to see it claim second place on the sales chart with a 6.7 per cent share of the light bus segment which is being dominated by the Toyota HiAce Bus which occupies a mighty 90 per cent of the segment (731 sales).

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer pricing*