Mercedes-Benz scored a winning double at the prestigious Fleet News Awards 2007, with its Vito and Sprinter models taking top honours in their respective categories.

The award was the second major ‘gong’ for the all-new Sprinter range since its launch last year – the new model has already lifted What Van? magazine’s Van of the Year title, while its predecessor had been showered with a host of industry accolades.

And it was another one in a string of honours for the latest-generation Vito, which has lifted several trophies – including the International Van of the Year title – since its launch in 2005.

Competition was tough, especially in the larger 2.8-3.5 tonne category, which has seen new model launches from all of the sector’s biggest players in the last year. But in both classes the judging panel of industry experts, which included fleet operators, was won over by the Mercedes entrant’s blend of style, safety and sophistication.

The judges praised Mercedes-Benz for making the innovative new Adaptive ESP® stability system standard across both ranges, and said the vans were “fantastic to drive, reliable, with good standard trim levels and excellent residual values, backed up by a solid dealer network”.

Adaptive ESP® combines sensors that can detect a skid before the driver is even aware of a problem. It will then adjust engine torque and individual wheel braking, while at the same time taking into account changes in the vehicle’s weight and centre of gravity brought about by the way it’s loaded, to check the skid and allow the driver to retain control. The system is fitted to all new Sprinters and Vitos.

Mercedes-Benz Van Sales and Marketing Director Steve Bridge declared: “Scooping both of these coveted awards is a fantastic achievement, especially in a year when so many of our competitors have launched new products of their own.

“The Sprinter’s success is vindication of the five years and £1.25 billion that was spent in development, to get it right ‘straight out of the box’. And the Vito’s win is testament to the fact that we have continuously updated the range, with additions like Adaptive ESP®, to keep it well ahead of the chasing pack.”