At 11:18 AM -0800 2/4/01, Zach Kaplan wrote:
>I
>
>This looks like a really awesome van which will blow Ford and GM out
>of the water as far as full size vans go. It has all sorts of other
>advanced
>features like a clean looking body, big windows, 4-wheel anti-lock disc
>brakes standard and rack and pinion steering. The cargo version is
>supposed to be available in the 3rd quarter of 2001, the passenger
>version in the 4th quarter of 2001 and the chassis cab (both single
>cab and double cab) some time in 2002. I'd highly recommend anyone
>looking for an efficient European van and considering getting a  VW
>Eurovan to hold off for the Mercedes-Freightliner Sprinter. I've
>heard a fuel economy figure of 21 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. That
>is probably for the low roof, short wheelbase model but still great
>fuel economy for a full size van. They don't have the prices out yet
>but I'm told it will be priced very competitively with full size
>Ford and GM vans. It will have an optional left side sliding door,
>be available in 3 wheelbase lengths and two roof heights. I know in
>Europe it is available with all wheel drive, side window air bags,
>automatic engine start-stop for city traffic economy and alternative
>fuel engines.
>

        Pictures included in the press release that can be found at
        http://www.freightliner.com/corp/press_release.asp?id=208

        Both the cargo (LWB version) and the passenger van have great
        potential for camping conversion...