DiamlerChrysler Sprint - Benz Powered Diesel Full Size Van

[Doc Tinker]

Take a look at DC's new 5cyl diesel powered van. It'll be part of the Freightliner line.



FedEx has ordered 1,900 of them.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

If you have to get caught in a van. .



at least its a diesel and a Mercedes

 

[bbowe]

The Freightliner team used one of those as their pit vehicle in the '99 Pikes Peak race. It was one of their test vehicles, but I couldn't get over the weird looking thing. It wasn't quite a car and it wasn't quite a van, but it was diesel powered. One of the other guys on our team (we are the F-liner competition) is a euro car fan and thought it was one of the coolest things ever. If I remember right it came off the mountain on a tow truck, so I thought I had the last laugh. Now I have to see it every time a Fed Ex goes by? I guess he wins.



OK, I guess I don't have much to add except I agree with Mark above.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Have you noticed that these vans look a lot like Doc's Avatar?

 

[bigkid59]

Fed Ex has some Freightliner vans running around in Memphis already.



They may be the same van but with Freightliner ID on them.



I have seen several around the airport and entering Fed Ex headquarters site.

 

[LSMITH]

I did not think it was possible, but that is uglier than a minivan. Do you have to sit down to pee if you drive one of those? Just kidding.

Ford has had a free run at the heavy/diesel van market for a while now, and it looks like they still do!!! LOL

 

[B9Mile]

More Info

http://www.americansprinter.com/diesel.htm

 

[mike r]

Bad Ugly

Best to leave those things where they came from.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I'd be interested in seeing the variable geometry turbo its supposed to have.



As much as I dislike Daimler, Mercedes tends to be cutting edge in the OEM world and they've never given up on diesels like the big three.

 

[wcaldwell]

From what I saw 12 years ago in Italy, those MB and Fiat Vans will keep up with our traffic with no problems. Over there, they pull up on your back bumper "suggesting" you get outta their way.



If they run here in the USofA anything like they run in Europe, it will be one fine van.

 

[Red_Rattler]

Fed Ex already has one runnin around my area, and its not as bad lookin as the pic, but its still not too cute by far LOL But it serves its purpose and does it well from what I see...

 

[GFoley]

I saw two Freightliner badged units at a heavy truck dealership in Harrisburg, PA around Christmastime.



They looked like they were ready for use as a plumbing or HVAC company truck.

 

[illflem]

I checked out one before Xmas that Fed-Ex was running, really nice inside and quiet. Reason they look so ugly is that they are built so you can stand up and walk around in back without hunching over. Don't know how you could get around that...

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by bigkid59

Fed Ex has some Freightliner vans running around in Memphis already.



They may be the same van but with Freightliner ID on them.



I have seen several around the airport and entering Fed Ex headquarters site.

Yep, I've gotten an up close look at one, they are badged with the Freightliner logo. FedEx spec'd them with a sprayed-on urethane bedliner in the back. One thing that's cool about them is the rear doors swing open up all the way around to where they can be latched to the sides of the body, just like doors on semi-trailers. So, no more crunching doors against loading docks, etc. The couriers I know give them a thumbs up, except that FedEx spec'd them without stereos.

I bet they'll be popular with plumbing companies, electrical contractors, etc. Personally, I think one would make a nice small RV conversion.

Andy

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by Andy Perreault

Personally, I think one would make a nice small RV conversion.

Andy

Maybe four or five years ago, I saw a "larger" VW RV. Not one of those Rialto or whatever things but a larger version of the current VW van. Diesel powered. Some kind of foreign plates, guess they were touring the world. Pretty interesting actually.



Mercedes diesels, from a logistic and cost standpoint scare me but I have to agree with Mark about Mercedes staying in that market. Course, they have the market support overseas that we don't have here.