OREANDA-NEWS. The large van from Stuttgart far outpaced the competition as it took the two top slots in the Green Van 2014 environmental ranking made by the prestigious automotive weekly VerkehrsRundschau. First place went to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 CDI and second place to the Sprinter 313 CDI.

The ranking is based on the magazine's independent tests to determine the vehicles' fuel consumption and, thus, CO2 emissions. Additional criteria include the vehicles' pollutant class ratings, payloads, cargo space volumes, and fuel-saving technology. As a result, the overall assessment not only evaluates the vans' environmental friendliness, but also their cost-effectiveness.

"We're delighted about this important award," says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. "We intentionally equipped the new Sprinter with numerous innovative technical features for enhancing fuel efficiency. We also focused on fulfilling the Euro VI standard early on. All of this has met with a great response, as we can see from our customers."

The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that was launched last year was the world's first van in its class to already comply with the future Euro VI emission standard when it was introduced to the market. Euro VI once again drastically reduces the emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx), total hydrocarbons (THC), and particulate matter. The Sprinter achieves the tough limits with the help of BlueTec engine technology and an SCR system that injects AdBlue into the exhaust gas.

In addition to innovative safety technology, such as the standard-fitted Crosswind Assist system, the Sprinter is equipped with a large number of individual components for reducing fuel consumption. As a result, the van is extremely fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. An optimum combined fuel consumption of 6.3 l/100 km is achieved through the combination of highly efficient diesel engines, an optimized powertrain, a longer axle ratio, optimized ancillary units, and the efficiency package BlueEfficiency Plus with start-stop technology. The fuel consumption value corresponds to CO2 emissions of 167 g/km - an impressively good result in view of the Sprinter's size.