Date:         Sun, 7 Oct 2007 16:17:28 +1300
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: the vw crafter IS the sprinter. same vehicle.. different trim.
In-Reply-To:  <dad0e8a40710021713n4f004df4y368d2f1d3964103@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed

>  >
>>
>>  This vehicle is a big step up for Mercedes; its previous van didn't
>>  even have independent FRONT suspension.
>
>
>
>andrew, maybe thats true for the 100 series mercedes

The MB100 is probably not even a Merc design. I suspect that it's a
Ssangyong, which would fit the fact that it's Korean. It has FWD, a
front-engine and live rear axle... what a combination. Must handle
like a real pig. It looks like a 100-series Hiace gone badly wrong,
and I can't believe the styling is coincidental (ie the MB is a
ripoff of the older Toyota).

>they were selling down
>under, but in europe and the u.s. we are in the second generation of
>sprinters by now, the first one being produced since 1995 and sold in the
>u.s. since 2003. it had independent front suspension and is an excellent
>vehicle with great fuel mileage.
>in 2007 they revamped the whole thing.

I'm not aware that there is a new Sprinter... if there is, the
appearance must be so similar to the old one that you'd have to look
hard to spot the difference. Mind, most Sprinters here are
cab/chassis (eg ambulances)... the LT is far more common as a unitary
van. Hmmm... if there's a new Sprinter, then what about the LT?

Anyway, I was referring to the van before the Sprinter... an ugly box
with no independent suspension in sight, which must have been made
into the 90s, much like the ghastly Isuzu ELF.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
‚ Opinions stated are mine, not of the University of Otago
"There is water at the bottom of the ocean"  - Talking Heads