The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is not a luxury vehicle by design. It is a commercial van that has, over thirty years, become the transport industry’s most versatile platform — used by florists, television crews, wedding caterers and, latterly, boutique private transport companies who need something that can comfortably seat twelve without feeling like a minibus.
The gap between a standard Sprinter and the vehicle we put in front of clients is the product of several years of small decisions. Here are the ones that matter.
The seats
Captain seats in a 2+1 configuration. Not bench seats. The difference, if you have spent six hours in each, is not subtle. Captain seats have individual armrests, individual headrests, and a degree of lateral support that bench seats cannot offer. They also mean that twelve guests do not feel like twelve guests — they feel like a smaller number, more spread out.
We reupholster in leather rather than fabric. Leather is easier to clean, warmer in winter, and cooler in summer once the climate control has been running for ten minutes.
The temperature
The Sprinter’s factory climate control is adequate for a vehicle with four people in it. With twelve, it struggles. We have retrofitted each vehicle with a supplementary rear zone — passengers at the back of the cabin have their own controls. This is a small thing. On a two-hour drive in February, it is the difference between a comfortable journey and a negotiation.
What we removed
The cup holders that came with the vehicle. They were too small and too shallow for anything with a lid. We replaced them with deeper, rubberised holders that work with travel cups, wine glasses and water bottles.
The overhead storage that made the rear passengers feel like they were sitting in a tube. Replaced with indirect lighting and more headroom.
The noise that came from the wheel arches. Partially addressed with additional acoustic lining. Not fully solved — this remains the Sprinter’s most honest limitation. At motorway speeds, conversation requires some effort.