The Crosswind Assist system uses ESP-controlled braking on individual wheels to counteract the affect of sudden guests of wind and keep the vehicle stable

Mercedes-Benz has increased the number of Sprinter variants to which the firm’s Crosswind Assist system is fitted as standard.

In addition to the Sprinter 3.5t Panel van, the innovative Crosswind Assist is now available as standard for 3.5t Chassis Cab variants.

In addition, the system is also part of the standard specification for the 3.0t Sprinter Panel van, short wheelbase models and super-high roof variants, as well as the firm’s 4×4 Sprinter models.

The system made its debut in the large van segment when the award-winning new Sprinter was launched, last year. The focus was initially on the most common variants, but now the innovative safety system is also part of the standard equipment for many additional variants.

Mercedes says that the system has been retested specifically for each chassis cab variant, because dropside chassis cab variants usually offer a much smaller ‘attack’ surface for side wind gusts than panel vans and luton box bodies.

Crosswind Assist also takes into account parameters such as vehicle speed, vehicle load and steering characteristics, and is one of five new safety systems with which the Sprinter advanced into a completely new dimension of safety technology in the van segment.

Its sensors detect forces acting on the vehicle through side wind gusts – be it on a bridge or when overtaking a truck, and are activated from a speed of 50 mph. Through a brake actuation via ESP at the wheels of the vehicle side facing the wind, a yaw motion develops and counteracts the side wind interference, helping to keep the vehicle travelling in a straight line, rather than weaving around.