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Development of Mercedes-Benz' Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid van reached the point where we were able to drive it around the port of Hamburg last week. Here's what CM thought. Compared with the Toyota Prius - the most familiar benchmark hybrid vehicle - the Sprinter features a simplified driveline, but adds the ability to be plugged in to a mains supply to give a full charge at the start of day.

A conventional engine, a V6 petrol powerplant in this case, since the initial batch are heading for  the US, but any of the current engine range can be used, drives through a combined electric motor/generator, where the flywheel would normally be. This contributes a sustained 56hp and 182Nm, with 95hp and 280Nm available for short periods.

All drive, electric or engine, then goes through a conventional torque converter and five-speed epicyclic automatic gearbox to power the rear wheels. The 14kWh of lithium-ion batteries are mounted underfloor behind the rear axle, which has no impingement on load space, and, Mercedes claims, only a minor loss of payload. The driver has the option of two switchable modes, combined electric and engine drive for general operation or fully electric drive for sensitive areas. Under electric power, it has a range of around 30km while in combined mode - tests have seen a 40% improvement in fuel economy.

From a driving perspective, the Sprinter is no different to a familiar automatic, apart from the silence running under electricity. Even  without the engine, low-speed acceleration is lively enough to satisfy normal needs. The new technology is now virtually production ready, although pricing issues mean that it's likely to be at least two years before it will be introduced to European markets. Of this batch of customer-trial Sprinters, 11 are destined for a selection of US cities, with another two staying in Germany.