Mercedes engine

[Anesta]

Hello everyone,
I am looking to buy a motorhome and have seen Hymer's with the Mercedes chassis and engine. The Mercedes engine that I have seen is the Mercedes Sprinter 414 CDI with 105kW and 143 BHP. Is this equivalent to the Ducato 150BHP? Reason why I ask is that when you look at the torque for the 2 engines, the Mercedes is actually more equivalent to the Ducato 130BHP? Because I will be using my motorhome mainly in Europe and will be travelling through the alps, will this Mercedes engine be OK or will it struggle on the roads passing through the alps?
Thanks for your help.

 

[Jake Royd]

I would think it will be OK.
If the torque is lower then it might run a lower final drive ratio to ensure uphill performance is acceptable. This might result in a slightly higher fuel consumption and a slightly lower maximum speed. The slightly lower maximum speed is only of academic interest to the MH driver!
It might also mean more gearchanging. But these effects will not be very significant in everyday use.

Remember MH's are effectively trucks running at GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) and so both will offer leisurely but acceptable performance.

Torque is the amount of work that can be done.
Power is the rate at which that work can be done.

This means both vehicles can do the work with appropriate gearing but the one with the higher power will do that same amount of work slightly quicker.

 

[Anesta]

Thank you, very clear and useful information!