By Otsile Kadiege

Today Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa announced the launch of the new 517 Sprinter Panel Van which replaces the 516 Sprinter lineup and will be available from February 2023. The key enhancement is a new, state-of-the-art OM654 engine. Key innovations of the new OM654 engine include: increased rated output and torque, compact and lightweight engine design and claimed reduction in fuel consumption.

New OM654 powertrain

At the heart of the 517 Sprinter Panel Van is a Euro 6 standard, all-aluminium 2.0-litre four-cylinder OM654 diesel engine paired to a 6-speed manual or an optional 9-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to numerous tweaks the engine like a full-aluminium engine housing, steel pistons with combustion bowls and fourth-generation common-rail injection to name a few the engine produces 125 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque, which is a 5 kW and 20 Nm increase compared to the Euro 5 standard OM651 engine.

Exterior and interior dimensions

The new 517 Sprinter Panel Van has a length of 5932 mm, a width of 2175 mm, a height of 2331 mm and weighs 3550 kg. Interior dimensions are as follows: 3272 mm max. load compartment length, 2079 mm, max. load compartment height, Max. 5.539 m2 max. load compartment area and 11 m3 max. load compartment volume.

Marinus Venter, the Head of Product and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa, says, “We are immensely excited to be updating our popular Sprinter 516 Panel Van lineup with this next-generation of engine technology. The Sprinter 517 will give fleet owners access to even greater efficiencies whilst maintaining all the innovative safety, comfort and quality that Mercedes-Benz is so well known for.”