Sales of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are expected to treble following the launch tomorrow of a new model with a wider range of variants.

The new Sprinter is twice as versatile as before, with what DaimlerChrysler says are a thousand possible versions of the large commercial vehicle. It will be available as a minibus, panel van and pick-up truck, and will come as a five-tonne model too.

The pick-up truck option may be a common sight in Germany but this will be the first time in almost a decade that a Sprinter with a cargo bed will be seen here. It can be ordered with a single or double cab, with the latter having four doors.

Also new is the four-door version of the 5-tonne van which can seat up to seven people. Its rear sliding doors also have an electric option. The old model only had a less-convenient third passenger door behind the driver's door.

'Twelve years on, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has led the way in what has long been known as the 'Sprinter class' in Europe,' says Kenny Lim, general manager for commercial vehicle sales and marketing at DaimlerChrysler South-east Asia.

He added: 'With more than 1.3 million units sold worldwide, the Sprinter's record as the market leader for vans with gross vehicle weights of around 3.5 tonnes speaks for itself. It will once again set the benchmark.'

Mr Lim says DaimlerChrysler, which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, invested some 1.8 billion euros (S$3.7 billion) in the development of the new model.

Some of the innovations include a smooth five-speed automatic transmission (compared to the slightly jerkier clutchless manual gearbox of old) and a more user-friendly cabin with features such as head restraints with two-way adjustment on all seats and the option of four-way adjustment. Adaptive ESP - or electronic stability programme - in combination with ABS is also standard.

While about 80 units of the old Sprinter were sold each year between 1995 and 2006, exclusive dealer Cycle & Carriage is understood to be aiming at an annual 200 to 250 units of the new model, as a result of the wide range of variants now being offered.

The new model will be available in three wheelbase lengths - 3.2, 3.6 or 4.2 metres - plus a variant with a 100mm extra long rear overhang. There is also a choice of three heights, as well as three power output options from the four-cylinder, 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine.

And while the previous model offered gross vehicle weights of between three and four tonnes, the new Sprinter also has a bigger variant that weighs in at five tonnes.

Another reason for C&C's optimism is the fact that the price gap between the new Sprinter and Japanese models has narrowed significantly, thanks to the Oct 1, 2006 implementation of the Euro 4 emission standard for diesel vehicles.

This is because the upgrade to new Euro 4-compliant engines has raised the cost of the previously Euro 2 Japanese version. In Singapore, the new Sprinter range starts from $60,000 (without COE).

C&C is targeting buyers from small to medium-sized companies in the trading and building industries, as well as delivery companies, nurseries, fresh produce wholesale market businesses, and those in the furniture and confectionery line. This market segment has annual sales of about 800 to 900 units.