The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Now Available With ECO-Start
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[08/30/2007] If you've been contemplating the purchase of a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, DaimlerChrysler has announced today that you'll now have another option to choose from when browsing the model's option list. Starting immediately, an engine start/stop system known as ECO-Start will be available worldwide for all Sprinters with diesel engines and manual transmissions, adding a mere EUR 203 (in Germany, excluding VAT) to the van's total cost.
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If you've been contemplating the purchase of a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, DaimlerChrysler has announced today that you'll now have another option to choose from when browsing the model's option list. Starting immediately, an engine start/stop system known as ECO-Start will be available worldwide for all Sprinters with diesel engines and manual transmissions, adding a mere EUR 203 (in Germany, excluding VAT) to the van's total cost.
So what exactly does the roughly 200 Euros get you?
To put it simply, you get an engine that, when idling for more than three seconds with the transmission in neutral, shuts itself off. An engine that runs less uses less fuel, thereby saving you money. As for how much money you'll save, ECO-Start has been found to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% depending on application and traffic density; on average, expect to cut fuel use between 5% - 8%.
I already know what you're thinking: what if something goes wrong with the system; what if I don't want the engine to shut off all the time; etc. Thankfully, a host of sophisticated electronics are in place to ensure everything operates as planned. First and foremost, ECO-Start is fully controllable from the cockpit, meaning it can be deactivated at any time by the driver. If you're stationary and the vehicle starts to move, even accidentally, the engine is automatically restarted, ensuring servo assistance for the steering and brakes is maintained. If your battery voltage is low or an attempt to start the engine has failed, the system automatically deactivates itself. There's a host of other built-in safety features as well, but I think you get the idea.
Overall, it's a great addition to the Sprinter's numerous options, and for those of you driving the model on a daily basis - especially in urban environments - 200 quid is a bargain.
To learn more about the ECO-Start system including how it operates and its extensive safety system, keep reading for the official press release.
Enjoy.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter now available with ECO-Start
* ECO-Start acts as engine start/stop system
* ECO-Start saves fuel and reduces the burden on the environment
* Electronics ensure safety, comfort and convenience
Stuttgart, Aug 30, 2007
An engine that is not running does not need any fuel. This truism helps the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to save fuel and thereby reduce its environmental impact. If the vehicle is stationary with the engine idling and the transmission in neutral for more than three seconds, the engine is automatically switched off. As soon as the driver depresses the clutch pedal again, the engine re-starts. The potential for saving fuel is considerable: in some cases, depending on application and traffic density, drivers managed to cut their fuel consumption by as much as 20%. On average, the amount saved will probably be somewhere between five and eight percent. The system performs to best advantage in urban use involving frequent stops in traffic queues or at traffic lights.
Safety is provided by sophisticated electronics. If the vehicle starts to move, the engine is started so as to ensure that servo assistance for the steering and brakes is maintained. In all other cases the engine does not re-start until the clutch pedal is fully depressed. If the battery voltage is low or if an attempt by the system to start the engine has failed, the ECO-Start function is deactivated. In addition, the system’s safety logic checks whether the bonnet is closed to make sure that no one can be injured if the engine suddenly starts.
The driver can also deactivate the system by means of a button on the instrument panel.
To avoid cold starts on the one hand and overheating on the other, the system only operates at coolant temperatures of between 40°C and 100°C. The comfort of the occupants is also taken into account: when the outside temperature is below freezing point, the engine is not switched off.
ECO-Start is available worldwide, with immediate effect, for all Sprinters with diesel engines and manual transmissions. In Germany it adds just ˆ 203 (excluding VAT) to the price of the van.
So what exactly does the roughly 200 Euros get you?
To put it simply, you get an engine that, when idling for more than three seconds with the transmission in neutral, shuts itself off. An engine that runs less uses less fuel, thereby saving you money. As for how much money you'll save, ECO-Start has been found to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% depending on application and traffic density; on average, expect to cut fuel use between 5% - 8%.
I already know what you're thinking: what if something goes wrong with the system; what if I don't want the engine to shut off all the time; etc. Thankfully, a host of sophisticated electronics are in place to ensure everything operates as planned. First and foremost, ECO-Start is fully controllable from the cockpit, meaning it can be deactivated at any time by the driver. If you're stationary and the vehicle starts to move, even accidentally, the engine is automatically restarted, ensuring servo assistance for the steering and brakes is maintained. If your battery voltage is low or an attempt to start the engine has failed, the system automatically deactivates itself. There's a host of other built-in safety features as well, but I think you get the idea.
Overall, it's a great addition to the Sprinter's numerous options, and for those of you driving the model on a daily basis - especially in urban environments - 200 quid is a bargain.
To learn more about the ECO-Start system including how it operates and its extensive safety system, keep reading for the official press release.
Enjoy.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter now available with ECO-Start
* ECO-Start acts as engine start/stop system
* ECO-Start saves fuel and reduces the burden on the environment
* Electronics ensure safety, comfort and convenience
Stuttgart, Aug 30, 2007
An engine that is not running does not need any fuel. This truism helps the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to save fuel and thereby reduce its environmental impact. If the vehicle is stationary with the engine idling and the transmission in neutral for more than three seconds, the engine is automatically switched off. As soon as the driver depresses the clutch pedal again, the engine re-starts. The potential for saving fuel is considerable: in some cases, depending on application and traffic density, drivers managed to cut their fuel consumption by as much as 20%. On average, the amount saved will probably be somewhere between five and eight percent. The system performs to best advantage in urban use involving frequent stops in traffic queues or at traffic lights.
Safety is provided by sophisticated electronics. If the vehicle starts to move, the engine is started so as to ensure that servo assistance for the steering and brakes is maintained. In all other cases the engine does not re-start until the clutch pedal is fully depressed. If the battery voltage is low or if an attempt by the system to start the engine has failed, the ECO-Start function is deactivated. In addition, the system’s safety logic checks whether the bonnet is closed to make sure that no one can be injured if the engine suddenly starts.
The driver can also deactivate the system by means of a button on the instrument panel.
To avoid cold starts on the one hand and overheating on the other, the system only operates at coolant temperatures of between 40°C and 100°C. The comfort of the occupants is also taken into account: when the outside temperature is below freezing point, the engine is not switched off.
ECO-Start is available worldwide, with immediate effect, for all Sprinters with diesel engines and manual transmissions. In Germany it adds just ˆ 203 (excluding VAT) to the price of the van.
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