Since 1995, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has become a success story in the motorhome industry. Last year, one in every ten Sprinter was sold to the motorhome industry globally.
The brand with the star is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its large van and its strong ties with the industry at this year’s Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf at its booth in hall 16 from 29 August to 7 September. On display: the first Sprinter generation from 1995, converted into a motorhome, as well as the current Sprinter in the traction head variant – in Europe, over 50 percent of all Sprinter based motorhomes rely on this body type (full year 2024).
New models based on the Sprinter traction head will be showcased at the fair by Carthago, Frankia, HIP Campers, Laika, Malibu, and Niesmann+Bischoff, among others. The Sprinter is also celebrated outside the Caravan Salon: On the occasion of its anniversary, the Mercedes-Benz Vans plant in Düsseldorf offers free factory tours to interested parties.
Booking inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. The Düsseldorf plant, one of the largest industrial employers and training companies in the region with around 5,500 employees, is one of three Sprinter plants worldwide.
“There are few products whose name has become synonymous with an entire vehicle class. I am proud that we have achieved this with the Sprinter. It underscores the successful concept and qualities of our large van. Since its introduction 30 years ago, the Sprinter has consistently set benchmarks. With its diverse variants, it has established itself from the outset as the preferred choice for numerous industries – including the motorhome industry. We are delighted to celebrate this success and the partnerships that have made it possible at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf.” Sagree Sardien, Head of Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Vans
Three decades of Sprinter, three decades of strong partnerships
The first Sprinter hit the market in 1995. It impressed with its versatility already allowing for its conversion into different motorhome types – from camper vans to fully integrated motorhomes. The first Sprinter was available as a chassis cab, flatbed truck, or tipper.
Additionally, panel vans and combis with either flat or high roofs were offered. The wheelbases ranged from 3,000 to 4,025 millimetres. In 2006, Mercedes‑Benz introduced the second Sprinter generation, featuring updates such as the super-high roof and a fourth body length. A major leap was achieved regarding safety enhancements making travelling more relaxed, especially for inexperienced motorhome drivers.
These included among others the electronic stability programme ESP and bi-xenon headlights with static cornering and curve lights. In 2013, the Crosswind Assist was introduced. Early motorhome manufacturers relying on the Sprinter included Carthago, Dethleffs, Eura Mobil, Frankia, Hymer, Rapido, Westfalia, and Wochner.
The third and current Sprinter generation made its debut in 2018 and has received various updates since winning over even more motorhome manufacturers – most recently Laika and Niesmann+Bischoff, among others.
These enhancements have not only bolstered the vehicle’s safety with new assistance systems like DISTRONIC but also increased its versatility once again. The Sprinter is now available as a traction head variant.
Construction-wise the traction head offers motorhome manufacturers a particularly high degree of freedom in designing the living area. The range of drive types has also been expanded: alongside the OM654 diesel engine with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, the Sprinter is now available with front-wheel drive.
In 2021, the all-wheel drive system was further developed to distribute the drive torque fully variably between the front and rear axles depending on the situation. Another highlight: a plus in comfort thanks to a more passenger car-like look and feel with among others the innovative MBUX multimedia system with a touchscreen and voice control or the multifunction steering wheel.
Furthermore, the large van now offers comfort features ex-factory specifically designed for the motorhome use case, such as the Hibernation Mode. Digital Extras also cater to the demands of the industry, such as the navigation system for trailers and oversized vehicles.
The future of the Sprinter is the Mercedes‑Benz Van Architecture. All newly developed Mercedes‑Benz Vans will be based on the modular, flexible, and scalable Mercedes-Benz Van Architecture. In addition to fully electric models of the Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA), the second variant of the Van Architecture, the Van Combustion Architecture (VAN.CA), will introduce state-of-the-art combustion engine vans. With this, Mercedes-Benz plans to further strengthen its leading position in the industry.
Overview of new motorhomes based on the Sprinter
Among the new motorhomes based on the current Sprinter at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf are the Multisport & Regeneration from Alphavan, the Bürstner Habiton (HM 6.0), the Carthago C2-tourer 141 KB-LE and the Carthago C-line I 4.9 LE, the Encanto from CS-Reisemobile, the Next from Frankia, the 4Family from HIP Campers, the Kreos from Laika, the Malibu I 450 RB-LE as well as the Arto 84E from Niesmann+Bischoff. Detailed insights into these new models can be found in the attached document.
Fair premiere of the V-Class Marco Polo HORIZON
The newly updated V-Class Marco Polo HORIZON leisure vehicle, directly marketed ex-factory by Mercedes-Benz to end customers, is also making its fair debut in the Rhine metropolis.
It embodies the core virtues of the V-Class MPV, making it the ideal companion for everyday life; among these are compact exterior dimensions of under two meters combined with a high-quality appearance both outside and in the cockpit. This is characterised by a distinctive radiator grille and a powerfully designed bumper. Depending on the equipment, the radiator grille is framed by an LED light strip.
Inside, customers can particularly enjoy a modern widescreen cockpit with two 31.24-centimetre (12.3-inch) displays. An even more stylish atmosphere is created by the optional ambient lighting with 64 colours. The vehicle’s suitability for everyday life is completed by numerous safety and assistance systems and the powerful OM654 diesel engine.
At the same time, the V-Class Marco Polo HORIZON excels in its suitability for leisure adventures, thanks to its standard three-seater bench/bed and pop-up roof with roof bed, drawers under the bench/bed for storage, two standard sliding doors for convenient loading of leisure and sports equipment, standard swivel front seats, and an optional folding table in the rear area; this allows for cozy gatherings. Optional features also include an external power connection and a stationary heater.