The new-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has scooped two top prizes in one of the van industry’s most prestigious awards ceremonies.

The Sprinter carried off What Van? magazine’s Van of the Year title and top honours in the Large Panel Van of the Year category.

Judges were wowed by the Sprinter range’s impressive engine line-up, strong emphasis on safety and standard six-speed gearbox, as well the quality and comfort of its cab interior.

“The Sprinter represents the pinnacle of current large panel van design and drivetrain implementation,” they said.

Launched this summer, the Mercedes Sprinter van and chassis cab range cost £1.25 billion and took 400 design engineers five years to develop. The result set new standards in productivity, refinement and safety.

Sold and supported through a national network of dedicated Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealers, the Sprinter is available in a staggering array of specifications, to suit all trades. The engine line-up includes 2.1-litre common-rail diesel units with ratings of 88, 109, 129 or 150hp. For operators such as the emergency services or those who want the ultimate in long-distance cruising ability, there’s also a storming 184hp 3.0-litre V6.

Factor in the choice of three roof heights, four body lengths, three gross weight ratings, the unique option of a fully-automatic transmission, and various body options – including chassis cabs, factory-built dropsiders, Traveliner minibuses and the Dualiner, which combines a large load area with a second row of seats – and it’s possible to arrive at around 1,000 basic versions!

But class-leading refinement and safety are standard on all models. Every new Sprinter comes fitted with ‘one-touch’ electric windows, remote central locking, a driver’s airbag and the state-of-the-art Adaptive ESP® system. This not only intervenes by automatically reducing power or braking individual wheels if it senses a the vehicle is about to skid, it can also ‘learn’ how the weight, position and centre of gravity of a van’s load affects its dynamics, and alter its settings to take this into account.

The judges commented: “This new-generation electronic stability programme is remarkably effective.”

Steve Bridge, Mercedes-Benz Van Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We knew from day one that the new Sprinter was a winner, but we’re delighted that an independent panel of expert judges has come to the same conclusion.