First Van to be Made to Euro 6 Standards

The first van available on the market compliant with the Euro 6 regulations – the Mercedes Sprinter, now carries an 18 litre AdBlue tank, weighing an extra 30kg.

Instead of cutting emissions by increasing engine efficiency and MPG, Mercedes believe that the only “Cost Effective” solution is Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR for short).

This is done by injecting the AdBlue into the exhaust system, reacting with Nitrous Oxides on the way out to form cleaner emissions of Nitrogen and Water.

The Science is a fairly simple concept and isn’t particularly new and although there won’t be any effect on fuel efficiency (either as a positive or negative), the systems do add an extra premium to the vehicle cost.

Mercedes say that their AdBlue system to make the Sprinter Euro 6 compliant, will cost on an average of €1,200 extra.

The engine line-up, however, remains the same, as do power outputs. Customers have the choice of a four-cylinder 2.1-litre diesel at 95bhp, 129bhp or 163bhp, or a V6 3.0-litre diesel at 190bhp, all of which are equipped with particulate filters.

There is also an option of a supercharged 1.8 litre petrol engine that will run on CNG (compressed neutral gas), producing a 156 bhp.

Two options are available for gearboxes – a 6 speed as standard, or a new seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic which also gives you the option of Start/Stop mode to add fuel efficiency whilst sat at those pesky inner-city traffic lights.