5/20/14

Independent panel of experts presents three awards to Mercedes-Benz Vans: Three Mercedes-Benz vans are named "CEP Van of the Year 2014"

  • Judges from the courier, express, and postal sectors used field tests to identify the best vans
  • The title "CEP Van of the Year 2014" goes to the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter models
  • Crosswind Assist wins innovation award in "Safety" category
Cologne/Stuttgart – Mercedes vans recently beat their respective competitors on two test routes in Germany's Bergisches Land region. The winning vehicles were the Sprinter 316 CDI and the Vito 113 CDI; both vans captured first place in their respective categories. In addition, the innovation award for safety was won by the Crosswind Assist system, which is offered exclusively by Mercedes Benz. At the award ceremony, Matthias Hindemith, Head of Sales for Mercedes Benz Vans Germany, said, "We are especially delighted to receive awards for which our customers serve as the judges. These awards demonstrate that our efforts in the areas of development, production, and service are being honored."


Panel of experts presents awards for Mercedes-Benz vans
This year was the 14th time that the Stuttgart-based ETM publishing company organized the "CEP Van of the Year" award competition. A panel of 38 professionals from the courier, express, and postal sectors (CEP) evaluated a total of 22 participating vehicles in four categories and voted to determine the winners.

Because of their daily management of their own vehicle fleets, the experts are familiar with all the demands made on the individual vans, and they put these vehicles through their paces on various test routes under real-life conditions. The assessment forms that are filled in after every test drive include the rubrics "Functionality," "Driving Comfort," "Handling," "Design," and, of course, "Economy." The drivers completed more than 600 test drives in the Bergisches Land region, covering more than 14,000 km in the process.

Title "CEP Van of the Year 2014" goes to the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter models
The Mercedes-Benz Vito outpaced its strong competitors and came out on top in the "Vans up to 3.0 t" category. As in previous years, the Vito scored particularly well with its outstanding drive system and safety features.

The Sprinter once again took first place in the "Vans up to 3.5 t" category, as it had done in the eight previous years. The vehicle impressed the judges with its outstanding safety features, fuel efficiency, and driving comfort.

The Sprinter is the world's first van to meet the future Euro VI emissions standard in all of its engine variants. The van stays within the stringent emission limits with the help of BlueTEC engine technology and an SCR system that injects AdBlue into the exhaust gas. The technology has already proven its effectiveness in more than 100,000 commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz.

The interaction between the highly efficient diesel engines, the optimized powertrain, the longer axle ratio, the ancillary components, and the BlueEFFICIENCY PLUS efficiency package has impressively reduced fuel consumption to as little as 6.3 l/100 km (NEDC combined).

Crosswind Assist wins innovation award in "Safety" category
Mercedes-Benz won another award for its Crosswind Assist system, which took first place in the special category "Safety."

Within the limits of what is physically possible, Crosswind Assist almost completely offsets the effects of gusts of wind on the vehicle. It greatly reduces driver stress, because motorists no longer have to steer as much against sudden gusts of wind. Crosswind Assist is based on the standard-fitted Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) and is activated at speeds of 80 km/h and over.

The Sprinter is equipped with Crosswind Assist as standard. Optional safety systems for the van include Collision Prevention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Highbeam Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist.

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