Who makes the Mercedes Sprinter engine?
The Sprinter’s engines are built in-house by Mercedes-Benz, designed and produced by Daimler’s powertrain division.
This article examines the engine lineage of the Sprinter and outlines the current engine options Mercedes-Benz offers for the van across different markets and generations.
The engine families that powered the Sprinter over the years
The Sprinter has relied on a progression of Mercedes-Benz diesel engine families, each associated with different model generations and market needs.
- OM646 — 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel (CDI), used in late-1990s to early-2000s Sprinter models.
- OM647 — 2.7-liter five-cylinder diesel (CDI), used in early Sprinter generations for higher torque.
- OM642 — 3.0-liter V6 diesel (CDI), offered in mid-2000s to early-2010s variants for heavier loads.
- OM654 — 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel (CDI), modern family powering latest Sprinter generations across many markets.
In short, Mercedes-Benz has kept Sprinter engines in-house across generations, updating displacement and technology to meet efficiency standards and payload demands.
Current Sprinter engine options
The present Sprinter lineup focuses on Mercedes-Benz’s current 2.0-liter diesel family for most configurations, with a larger V6 option available for heavier-duty variants in some markets. Availability varies by country and model year.
- OM654 — 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel family (turbocharged, common-rail) that forms the core of most modern Sprinter powertrains.
- OM642 — 3.0-liter V6 diesel (used in certain heavy-load configurations or specific markets as an alternative to the four-cylinder).
Overall, Mercedes-Benz continues to supply Sprinter engines from its in-house powertrain operations, maintaining control over performance, durability, and serviceability across the global van market.
Summary
Mercedes-Benz manufactures the Sprinter’s engines in-house, drawing on decades of diesel engineering. The current generation primarily relies on the 2.0-liter OM654 diesel, with a 3.0-liter V6 option available in certain configurations or markets.
Does Mercedes use Cummins engines?
Cummins Inc. will establish an engine plant within the Mercedes-Benz Mannheim campus, efficiently utilizing existing resources to produce medium-duty engines compliant with the Euro VII emissions standard for Mercedes-Benz and ensuring continued joint success in the medium-duty vehicle segment.
Are Dodge and Mercedes Sprinters the same?
Yes, a Dodge Sprinter is essentially the same as a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, with the primary difference being the badging. Mercedes-Benz manufactured the Sprinter and sold it under the Dodge name in the US for a period due to a partnership with DaimlerChrysler. The vehicles were built in Germany as complete knockdown (CKD) kits, shipped to the U.S., and reassembled with Dodge badges to avoid import tariffs on finished vehicles.
This video explains the background and history of Dodge and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans: 59sThe Benz Shop YouTube · Jun 8, 2025
- Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz is the original manufacturer of all Sprinter vans.
- Branding: During the partnership period, some Sprinter vans were sold with Dodge badging, while others were sold with Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner badges.
- Vehicle identity: Aside from the exterior badges and minor interior differences, the vehicles are identical, as they were all built in the same factory by Mercedes-Benz.
- Current status: The Dodge Sprinter line ended when the partnership dissolved, and today, the van is primarily marketed under the Mercedes-Benz name.
Are Mercedes engines made by Nissan?
Yes, in a past collaboration, Nissan's Decherd, Tennessee plant manufactured Mercedes-Benz engines for certain models, though this joint production has since been suspended. The alliance, which started in 2010, saw the construction of a new facility to produce Mercedes-Benz 4-cylinder engines for both Nissan's Infiniti brand and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
- The alliance: Nissan and Daimler (the parent company of Mercedes-Benz) had a partnership where Nissan built some Mercedes-Benz engines at a plant in Decherd, Tennessee.
- The engines: The factory produced 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engines for both automakers.
- The vehicles: These engines were used in certain Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti models, including the Infiniti Q50 and models like the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and Sprinter vans.
- Current status: Nissan suspended operations at the joint engine plant in 2022. The company reassigned workers to other facilities, and this part of the alliance has ended.
Who makes Mercedes Sprinter engines?
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz manufactures the diesel engines for the Sprinter. Known for their engineering excellence, these engines are designed with efficiency and durability in mind.
