Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Drinks Diesel With New 161-HP Engine Option

In late 2020, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter gets a new, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine in the United States. The mill makes 161 horsepower (120 kilowatts) and 266 pound-feet (361 Newton-meters) of torque. It exclusively hooks up to a seven-speed automatic gearbox with rear-wheel drive. The setup should be great for anyone looking for a cargo van for hauling a whole lot of stuff.

The Sprinter with the new four-cylinder diesel has a max payload of 6,636 pounds (3,010 kilograms). It comes standard with features like load-adaptive electronic stability control, trailer hitch prep package, keyless start, and brake hold functionality. The suite of safety assistance tech includes blind-spot monitoring, park assist, traffic sign recognition, crosswind assist, driver attention monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

There's also an extensive options list. Customers can add features like power front seats, electric-sliding door, heated windshield, and automatic climate control. It's even possible to outfit the interior with things like shelving, a workbench, or heavy-duty floors for carrying heavier loads.

The new engine slots into the middle of the powertrain range. The Sprinter is currently available with a gas-fueled 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 188 hp (140 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm). There's also a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 188 hp and 325 lb-ft (441 Nm).

The four-cylinder diesel will be available for the Cargo version of the van in three configurations: the 144-inch wheelbase for $38,770, 170-inch wheelbase for $44,100, and the high-roof version of the 170-inch wheelbase for $45,950 (plus a $1,495 destination charge). For comparison, the least expensive version of the Sprinter Cargo with the gas-fueled four-cylinder starts at $34,495. With the V6, it would be $40,620.