The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is one of the finest vans that money can buy, and it's not very difficult to make it a luxury office on wheels or a mobile hotel room. It's also a pretty impressive adventure companion, but clearly, Mercedes feels that there's room for improvement. As announced today at the 2022 Work Truck Week, the Sprinter is getting a host of upgrades for the 2023 model year.

For a start, there's a new all-wheel-drive system that is connected to the 9G-Tronic transmission that does duty in many Merc passenger cars. The powertrain offering is also being refreshed, becoming populated exclusively by four-cylinder engines that promise "smoother acceleration, higher torque values, decreased emissions, and lower noise and vibration levels."

The OM654 diesel four-cylinder family of engines has been around for some time, and for the 2023 model year, it's better than ever. In the Sprinter, it will be offered with either 168 horsepower or 208 hp. Thanks to Nanoslide cylinder coatings for reduced in-engine friction, as well as the "dynamic multi-way exhaust gas recirculation and the near-engine exhaust gas after treatment," lower consumption and emissions are predicted. Gasoline engines will also be offered, but Mercedes is yet to reveal what to expect here.

As for the transmission, the nine-speed 9G-Tronic now comes standard across the range with increased driving comfort, reduced fuel consumption, lower noise levels and emissions, a higher overall gear ratio, and quicker downshifts for better acceleration.

Digging deeper, we learn that the 4x4 system of current models is being tossed in favor of a new AWD system that can split torque equally between both axles, whereas the previous system would only allow up to 34% of torque to reach the front axle in 4x4 mode. Despite the new system, ground clearance, approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle values all remain unchanged. As for other features like interior tech, aesthetics, and comfort, it's unclear if any changes are planned, but since this is something of a workhorse, we don't think there'll be too much pushback from the market if things remain much the same. More details will become available before the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter goes on sale in the US early next year.