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| The author straps a load to a Sprinter while wondering why South Africans prefer pickups. |
In Europe, entrepreneurs all use vans, not pickups, utes, or "bakkies" (as these vehicles are called down south in Africa).
Like those Europeans, I fail to see why so many “Saffricans” who live in cities buy thousands of
enormous double cabs each month.
Like those Europeans, I fail to see why so many “Saffricans” who live in cities buy thousands of
enormous double cabs each month.
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| Race drivers rate Sprinters for their adaptability, loading the car onto a load bed. |
If it is for the bakkie’s practicality, a van comes with more space, a low floor for easy loading and a roof to keep out rain and thieves.
If it is for all round readiness, a van is a camper, load lugger, bike shed and a dog house all in one.
Vans also come in all sizes, from the tiny Chana from (you guessed it) China, to the big Iveco from Italy, to the Quantum from Malaysia, but the long-distance taxi operators and race drivers we spoke to all rate the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from Germany the highest.
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| Some race drivers prefer to pull the car and load the pit crew and workshop in the back. |
The cherry on top for taxi operators is that passengers feel safer in Sprinters, says Lunga Sibaya, former Merc technician who now fixes trucks’ computer-controlled braking systems at Duzi Brakes.
These passengers ride in the Sprinter Inkanyezi, the latest model of which Sibusiso Mkwanaze, marketing and communications specialist for Merc Vans, says caters to the needs of the everyday commuter even more precisely than before.
Options in the Inkanyezi range from the basics like three-point safety belts on every seat, to USB charging ports for each row of seats.
Options in the Inkanyezi range from the basics like three-point safety belts on every seat, to USB charging ports for each row of seats.
The new 3,5 tonne Sprinter “lite” can be fitted with such seats in the back, or left bare to load up camping gear or pets — the choices are as wide as van.
Whats under the hood?
The new Sprinter is powered by either a 2,2-litre, four-cylinder or a three-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine.
The 2,2 makes two output levels, 84 kW/300 Nm, or 120 kW/380 Nm, while the 3-
litre makes 140 kW/440 Nm.
The 2,2 makes two output levels, 84 kW/300 Nm, or 120 kW/380 Nm, while the 3-
litre makes 140 kW/440 Nm.
Driving from Joburg to PE and back, we managed to get a very impressive 10,9 l/100 from the 2,2 engine.
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| On a 2,690 km trip, we got 10,9l/100 km. Pretty fly for a big van. |
Is it safer than a bakkie?
Vans have the same seatbelts and airbags and crumple zones as bakkies, with the added advantage of being big. And of course in a crash, the heavier one almost always wins.
The Sprinter also comes standard with cross wind and hill start assist.
The former I like, the latter takes getting used to for old school drivers trained on a handbrake -- or ebrake as some Yanks call it.
The Sprinter also comes standard with cross wind and hill start assist.
The former I like, the latter takes getting used to for old school drivers trained on a handbrake -- or ebrake as some Yanks call it.
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| Need a mobile workshop? A van delivers. |
Is it comfortable?
The only discomfort for short people is stepping up, instead of into, the cab.
Which brings me to the only niggle I have with the new Sprinter -- the grab handle is now bolted to the door, precisely where it is of no use.
Instead of grabbing it to pull themselves up, drivers grab the steering wheel, a big no-no for all truck driver trainers as this will eventually damage the steering.
Which brings me to the only niggle I have with the new Sprinter -- the grab handle is now bolted to the door, precisely where it is of no use.
Instead of grabbing it to pull themselves up, drivers grab the steering wheel, a big no-no for all truck driver trainers as this will eventually damage the steering.
But at least the step up won’t smear your pants as do the cosmetic rock sliders fitted to most double cab bakkies.
What is more, in a van, the driver sits in the same posture as at a dinner table, which is much easier on the back on a long drive.
What is more, in a van, the driver sits in the same posture as at a dinner table, which is much easier on the back on a long drive.
For entertainment, Merc offers various multimedia systems, up to MBUX, a system with artificial intelligence.
Are vans not more expensive?
Prices start at half a million rand for the smallest 311 CDI panelvan and go up to R725 407 for the 519 CDI extra large panelvan.
This is more expensive than a bakkie with similar power, but there is a reason why they call it "recommended dealer price".
Of course, being a German car, any add-ons will add to the price, but Merc's commercial dealers invite anyone who wants to step up from a double cab to go talk discounts and perhaps learn why Europeans say vans cost less per kilometre than bakkies.
Or those who swear by their Toyota Hilux can go kick the tyres of the new Toyota Quantum instead, the 2,8 basic van sells for R474k, with the 14 seater bus going for R613,400 in June 2019.
This is more expensive than a bakkie with similar power, but there is a reason why they call it "recommended dealer price".
Of course, being a German car, any add-ons will add to the price, but Merc's commercial dealers invite anyone who wants to step up from a double cab to go talk discounts and perhaps learn why Europeans say vans cost less per kilometre than bakkies.
Or those who swear by their Toyota Hilux can go kick the tyres of the new Toyota Quantum instead, the 2,8 basic van sells for R474k, with the 14 seater bus going for R613,400 in June 2019.
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| In "Safferica", farmers are slowly finding out that vans a better value offering than an open pickup. |
(First published in Witness Wheels.)
