Designed to showcase the capabilities of its Sprinter cab/chassis heavy duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Extreme Concept is 20 feet long, more than eight feet tall, can haul a 6,400-pound payload and tow nearly 4 tons. The German automaker took the wraps off the concept at the Chicago Auto Show.
The Sprinter Extreme’s aggressive looks were developed by aftermarket customizer RENNtech, which developed the custom rack with six forward facing lights, a custom brush guard with additional fog lights and a powerful winch. A suspension lift package raises the concept above six G-Class inspired beadlock wheels and aggressive off-road tires. RENNtech also fabricated the custom rear fenders which provide additional clearance for suspension travel and the knobby tires. The Sprint Extreme has an eye-catching camouflage wrap and chrome exhaust stacks that flank both sides of the cab.
“The Sprinter Extreme concept has super-strength, unlimited hard-working capability and an aggressive design,” said Bernie Glaser, vice president of Mercedes-Benz Vans USA. “Unlike most concepts, the foundation for the Sprinter Extreme can be ordered at a Mercedes or Freightliner dealership today with the help of our MasterUpfitter program.”
Heavy-duty platform
Underpinning the concept is the Sprinter 3500 Cab Chassis platform, which is used for buses, RVs, ambulances and box trucks, to name just a few of the applications. These vehicles are powered by a 4-cylinder turbodiesel mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission, enabling them to carry up to 6,400 pounds of payload and tow up to 7,500 pounds. The cab features a front bench with seating for three.
The cab chassis units come in two wheelbases, 141 and 170 inches. Among the different versions is a cutaway cab with no back wall and roof allowing driver and passenger direct access to whatever body is put on the chassis.
One of the interesting features of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Extreme concept is its Scattolini ScattoMax Tipper Bed, which turns the vehicle into a dump truck capable of unloading up to 5,200 pounds of payload off either side or to the rear. The tipper bed is equipped with a front screen that provides a protection barrier between the cargo area and the cab.
While Mercedes will not build the Sprinter Extreme as a regular production model, the idea behind the concept is to show that everything on the truck is available to customers through its upfit program.
