Tuesday 29th March 2011

Business Class Lounge Or Mercedes Sprinter Van?

Brilliant Transportation Mercedes Sprinters offer novel take on the traditional limo service

---

We all know that 'Speed Matters' on PistonHeads. The other certainty in life (apart from that ol' 'death and taxes' nonsense) is that the white van is the fastest vehicle on earth.

Thus, what better form of transport for the high-powered exec in a hurry than a Mercedes Sprinter van? Now, before you stop reading entirely in the belief that we have taken leave of our senses, bear with us - for we are not talking about your average commercial vehicle.

Rather, this is a modified Sprinter built by a US firm called Brilliant Transportation, which takes the humble Mercedes commercial vehicle and turns it into headroom-tastic sumptuous executive transport.

In fact, the Sprinter has been fitted out with all the trimmings of a business-class lounge. There is leather everywhere, four captain's chairs plus a three-seat bench, a pair of 32-inch tellies, eight-speaker audio, colour printers, 3G Wifi and even in-built Powerpoint for when you just have to make that presentation on the move.

If that appeals to you, then you're probably one of the "corporate management, entertainers and well-to-do families" that company founder Richard Fertig reckons "want to reclaim that dead in-transit time and who appreciate the size, height and overall comfort of a large van."

If you are, then you can sign up for one - Brilliant offers chauffeur-driven vans and mini buses on the east coast of the US, and in the Los Angeles area. Lovely.

[MetalFoot]

I wouldn't mind doing a long distance trip in that

Bet it's a spot on the pricy side though right?

[MogulBoy]

in-Transit time!

[MrTappets]

I've always been more of a Transporter man myself, at least, since the T5 came along. Wonder what the weight of that little lot in the back is?

[fathomfive]

Does it come in dirty motorway-white with the obligatory well thumbed copy of the Sun stuffed betwixt dash and windscreen?

I could see a place for these on our roads, I've always though traditional limos are a tad too long.

[legalknievel]

fathomfive said:

Does it come in dirty motorway-white with the obligatory well thumbed copy of the Sun stuffed betwixt dash and windscreen?

I could see a place for these on our roads, I've always though traditional limos are a tad too long.

Apparently it has an intelligent motorway cruise control system that keeps you within 50 cm of the car in front at all times....

[Hendry]

Why, when selling an overpriced van to the rich, would you use the term "dead in transit"?

[johnhenry]

body roll? i havent been in a sprinter and cant remember if its a problem

[Truckosaurus]

fathomfive said:

Does it come in dirty motorway-white with the obligatory well thumbed copy of the Sun stuffed betwixt dash and windscreen?

That was my first thought, you'd have to get it painted either ParcelForce red, UPS brown or DHL Yellow for the full effect. That would also allow you to park up with impunity on double yellows with just your hazards flashing.

[fathomfive]

Truckosaurus said:

That was my first thought, you'd have to get it painted either ParcelForce red, UPS brown or DHL Yellow for the full effect. That would also allow you to park up with impunity on double yellows with just your hazards flashing.

Even better if you could get it in pre-faded ParcelFarce red with non-faded bits where the stickers used to be.

[Thorburn]

How does the rear of a Sprinter van hold up in an accident? Can't imagine they design in too much crash protection for the cargo.....

Still, quite a cool concept.

[sprinter1050]

johnhenry said:

body roll? i havent been in a sprinter and cant remember if its a problem

Well you wouldn't remember if you've never been in one now would you :

[jake15919]

Truckosaurus said:

That was my first thought, you'd have to get it painted either ParcelForce red, UPS brown or DHL Yellow for the full effect. That would also allow you to park up with impunity on double yellows with just your hazards flashing.

Actually there was one of these about 10 years ago in DHL yellow. It was up for sale for ages at a ridiculous £40+k.

[Anubis]

I actually like it. I don't think it'll work in the real world though because if I was a top dog I'd still rather be seen getting out of my Merc, Bentley, Rolls or Mayback. These are the types of people that can afford more than one, so if they do need to transport family members then they'll get two chauffers with two cars rather than the whole family piling out the back of a van outside the Ritz.

Still like it though....

[Hellbound]

Was looking at these a while ago out of curiosity. There's a Turkish company that does the same to VW vans (and probably other vans too). Guy Ritchie has one of these Sprinters.

Anyway, these are far more impressive;

http://www.worldcarfans.com/111032531177/mercedes-...

Edited by Hellbound on Tuesday 29th March 09:22

[Truckosaurus]

jake15919 said:

Actually there was one of these about 10 years ago in DHL yellow. It was up for sale for ages at a ridiculous £40+k.

Indeed. It was at Oakfields the classic car people (IIRC). Had a nasty red leather interior. Was obviously built for someone in a hot climate as it had a huge aircon system at the back end.

I saw the van in the paddock of a Britcar meeting and it had been sprayed a more sober metallic grey colour.

[Atrophy]

Where am I supposed to put my tools and equipment?

[iain1970]

The sprinters aren't too bad for handling, but the traction aids cause tyre consumption to be pretty high, far worse than the pre-'06 model.

They do a nice 180hp V6 diesel version that should haul 3500kg around nicely.

[Major T]

Thorburn said:

How does the rear of a Sprinter van hold up in an accident? Can't imagine they design in too much crash protection for the cargo.....

Still, quite a cool concept.

I'd have thought they started with a mini-bus version

[pleinichen]

Now i might be wrong but wasn't it these guys that kitted out Devon Knight's truck in Knightrider?

That being the case, i'm fairly certain this isn't a new concept - after all, some of us can remember the original series (not the remake released a year or two ago!).

[Old Trout]

[quote]want to reclaim that dead in-transit time
[/quote]


Or head out to the East End and


"want to reclaim that dead in a Transit time"