Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van Coloring Page with PDF

Mercedes Sprinter Van: History & Fun Facts

A Van Built to Replace Two Different Trucks

Mercedes-Benz launched the Sprinter in Europe in 1995, and it reached American driveways in 2001 wearing Dodge and Freightliner badges before Mercedes-Benz began selling it under its own name in the United States in 2003. Fleet buyers wanted one van that could handle both light cargo runs and the tall, boxy proportions needed for shelving and equipment racks, and the Sprinter's flat floor and square cargo hold answered both jobs at once.

Early Sprinter vans still used a visible short hood ahead of the windshield, the same stubby nose shape traced on this coloring page, which gave crash protection that a flat-fronted cab-over van could not offer.

Rear-Wheel Drive Sets It Apart

Unlike the front-wheel-drive Ram ProMaster, the Sprinter sends power to the rear wheels on most models, a layout that lets it tow and haul heavier loads without straining the front axle. That rear-drive setup keeps the front end shorter and the grille upright, which is why the Sprinter's face looks different from a ProMaster's flatter, front-drive nose even though both are tall delivery vans.

Mercedes later added a factory four-wheel-drive Sprinter option, letting delivery fleets and camper-van builders reach job sites and campsites that a two-wheel-drive van could not climb.

Three Generations and a South Carolina Plant

Mercedes-Benz built the second-generation Sprinter starting in 2006 and opened a US assembly plant in Ladson, South Carolina, that same year so vans sold in America no longer had to cross the ocean fully built. A larger Sprinter plant opened in North Charleston in 2018 to build the fourth-generation van, which arrived for the 2019 model year with a wider track, a digital dashboard, and new roof-height and wheelbase choices.

That fourth generation also introduced a front-wheel-drive Sprinter option alongside the traditional rear-drive version, giving fleet buyers a lighter, more fuel-efficient choice for city delivery routes.

Roof Heights Built for Standing Room

Sprinter vans come in low, standard, and high roof heights, and the tallest version gives a six-foot-tall adult enough headroom to stand upright inside the cargo area without stooping. That extra ceiling height, paired with a wide sliding side door like the one drawn on this page, made the Sprinter a favorite base for parcel couriers who need to walk in and grab a package quickly.

The high-roof Sprinter also became one of the most popular vans for do-it-yourself camper conversions, since builders can frame a bed, kitchen, and storage cabinets without cutting into the roof for extra headroom.

A Familiar Shape on Delivery Routes

Parcel companies including a major overnight courier built entire delivery fleets around the Sprinter's boxy shape and wide door opening, making the raised-roof silhouette one of the most recognized commercial vehicle outlines on American streets. Its short hood and upright grille, both visible on this printable sheet, remain the clearest way to tell a Sprinter apart from flatter-nosed rivals at a glance. Fleet mechanics often praise the raised roof for keeping cargo dry during quick curbside stops in wet weather.