Mercedes Sprinter HAAST

• Can be driven on a car licence
• This Mercedes is as quiet, comfortable, and stable as a domestic car
• The four-metre Fiamma T65 awning gives a large comfort zone
• Overall length of 7m
• Keyless locking and ignition system

The Mercedes Sprinter is the latest model from Daimler Benz and comes with a number of the best facilities, a top driving combination, and a number of safety features. The motorhome has been constructed on the model 311 long-wheel base cab and chassis, and is powered by its OM646 DELA four-cylinder Eurov4 2.2-litre diesel injected engine producing 110hp, which is suited to the three-tonne region of RUC and can be driven on a car licence. This engine is a common rail design, with an intercooler and a turbocharger, which combine to produce surprising power, acceleration, and improved economy on previous models. This particular vehicle is fitted with a four-speed automatic transmission and has a suggested fuel consumption of 8.9-9.6 litres/100km. These claims are for the empty shell, so with the added weight of the fit-out, the fuel usage will go to around 12 litres per 100 kilometres in the automatic. This Sprinter appears to be the first three-tonne cab and chassis into New Zealand to have Adaptive ESP (electronic stability control), which is combined with ABS (anti lock braking system), ASR (acceleration skid control), BAS (brake assist), and EBV (electronic brake force distribution). The HAAST’s driving position is fully adjustable and, on the road, this Mercedes is as quiet, comfortable, and stable as a domestic car. It’s acceleration is similar to that of a two-litre petrol car’s. This is the very first unit off the manufacturing line and there have been some minor changes to all other units subsequent to this particular vehicle. The three-burner gas cooker and the externally vented rangehood have been moved approximately 250mm to the right of the bench, which prevents splashes of food on to the bench seat. A hand-basin has been added to the combination shower and toilet, all cupboards have been fitted with flat surface doors, and a Truma thermostatically controlled gas heater has been fitted. The home sleeps two after the bench seats have been expanded and set up to produce a double bed with a dimension of 1780 x 1850, but, with the bench seats in their normal travelling position, there is provision for two single beds with dimensions of 600 x 1850 each. Floor coverings are loose fit carpet over vinyl and all upholstery is washable. A stainless steel hand-basin with a fold-down water head has a cover that converts it to added bench space. This unit, along with the shower and toilet hand-basin, are pressure fed from a 12-volt water pump. The three-burner cook top also has a fold-down top for added bench space. Fresh water comes from an 81-litre tank and there is a 69-litre grey water tank installed. The toilet is a Thetford cassette and can be used as a seat when showering. Other internal appliances include a microwave, an AM/FM radio cassette, a flat-screen TV/DVD, and speakers built in at strategic places. The driver’s compartment has its own radio/cassette and air conditioning but these are not connected to the home appliances. Two 4.5kg gas bottles are standard for cooking and heating, and there is an 80-litre fridge/freezer included in the fit-out. A removable centre stand table can be fitted to two different positions and is conveniently stowed behind the driver’s seat. The four-metre Fiamma T65 awning has two large support legs concealed in the frame. A tensioning arm is also included and is stowed in the space under the divan seating. The squab cushions are hard-backed to support the centre of the double bed when fitted to the two pull-outs. Overall dimensions are: width 2m, height 2.75m, interior height 1.94m, and all of this is on the long wheel-based chassis, giving an overall length of 7m. This Mercedes Sprinter HAAST is totally self-contained and comes with a full 12-month warranty on the motorhome fit-out and a three-year/200,000km warranty for the vehicle. It has a keyless locking and ignition system, with central locking as part of the specifications, and when the ignition is turned on before starting, the dash board becomes a maze of check and indicator lights and symbols. To read in-depth RV reviews see the latest issue of Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations magazine, on sale now.