Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 NGT
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 NGT Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 NGT
If it weren’t for the painted sides of this Sprinter, nobody would have paid attention to it - “three hundred and sixteen” is not uncommon on the road. But I know something: this car is unusual. The fact is that its dual-fuel engine is equally well suited for working on gasoline and compressed gas. Moreover, there is no preference for one thing - I mean the engine. Mine is obvious: of course, gas! The argument in his favor is simple and ironic - fuel costs are more than halved!
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 NGT
They say that an engine running on gas loses about 15% of its power. This is true when gas equipment is installed on a motor originally designed for gasoline. But natural gas has a much higher anti-knock resistance, therefore, while maintaining the “gas” compression ratio (and it does not change during the transition from one fuel to another), it is quite possible to use boost.
This technique was used on the Sprinter biofuel - the engine was equipped with a mechanical supercharger, and the engine control electronics monitors the coordinated operation of the boost, power and cooling systems. In addition, the calorific value of methane is 13175 kcal / kg, and if we take into account that its density is 0.71 kg / m³, it turns out that 9354 kcal is contained in one cubic meter. Gasoline is slightly less “energetic”: it contains 10 572 kcal / kg, or 7718 kcal / l. Hence the greater mileage on gas at the same mass flow rate as gasoline.
Both the gas fitting and the gas neck are located under one hatch
Both the gas fitting and the gas neck are located under one hatch. Both the gas fitting and the gas neck are located under one hatch.
Only for storage on board compressed gas up to 200 atm gas is needed appropriate capacity. There are six of them: three steel cylinders across under the rear overhang and three along the base, with a total volume of almost 300 liters. This iron weighs a lot - along with the associated equipment 335 kg, but for a fairly large car this is not so significant. But the range on gas and gasoline (100 l in the tank) is 1000–1200 km.
There are nine seats in the cabin, including a driver’s one, which formally allows the owner of category B to drive the car. But if you sacrifice a bit of comfort and place your seats in a businesslike manner, like in the Gazelle minibus, there will be twice as many passengers. At the same time, you can walk along the remaining corridor in full growth - the ceiling is high.
The driver’s workplace is organized very conveniently (in a Mercedes, it doesn’t happen in another way!). A minimum of buttons and twirls, so fashionable in modern cars, but everything you need is there, and just where it should be. The compact gear lever “grows” from the instrument panel, and because of the steering wheel you can easily get into the cabin.
Removing the seats and turning the interior into a cargo van is a matter of minutes
Removing the seats and turning the interior into a cargo van is a matter of minutes. Removing the seats and turning the interior into a cargo van is a matter of minutes.
Everything is spacious and functional at the same time. The same bus manners and driving. Fussy lanes from row to row such a machine is not to face, although they can be easily worked out if desired - the view in all directions is excellent, the dynamics are enough that it is on gas, that is on gasoline, and the suspension does not allow threatening rolls. The transition from one fuel to another and any changes in the behavior of the machine is impossible to catch.
The press release and fellow journalists claim that the effect was achieved due to the alternate, but not simultaneous transition of the cylinders to another fuel. But how could it be otherwise? There is a working order of cylinders, which prescribes the order. Faster than two turns of the crankshaft, it does not work out. You can determine what the engine is running on only by pressing the gas-gasoline button on the instrument panel. By the way, start-up, regardless of its position, takes place on gasoline, followed by automatic switching to gas, if this mode is selected.
The only external difference from the usual "Sprinter", except for the NGT (Natural Gas Technology) nameplate on the rear door, is a spare tire in the cabin, lounging in the corner behind the last row of seats. Its regular place under the rear overhang is occupied by gas cylinders. But it seems that there is no spare tire at all in the standard configuration: in the box under the passenger seat there is a repair kit for express tire repair - a can with sealant and a compressor.
In the factory equipment, instead of a spare wheel, a repair kit, but its capabilities are very limited
In the factory equipment, instead of a spare wheel, a repair kit, but its capabilities are very limited. In the factory equipment, instead of a spare wheel, a repair kit, but its capabilities are very limited.
