The Sprinter Van’s Glamorous Turn
When Kendall Jenner arrived at the 2022 Met Gala, her elaborate Prada gown demanded specialized transport. A traditional limousine or SUV wouldn’t suffice; the dress’s size made sitting impossible. The solution was a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, allowing her to stand during the journey to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
During that ride, Jenner opted to relieve her anxiety, as she put it, by using an ice bucket while standing up in the van. “Best decision I ever made,” she later said on an episode of “The Kardashians” on Hulu.
The Sprinter van, a boxy vehicle with impressive headroom, is descended from the earliest motorized caravans developed by Karl Benz of Mercedes-Benz in 1896. Introduced in Europe in 1995, it arrived in the United States in 2010. An electric version was unveiled last year by Mercedes-Benz.
While appreciated by automotive enthusiasts for its build quality, dependability, and versatility, the Sprinter van has gained recognition for another reason: its association with celebrities. Actors, singers, athletes, and “Real Housewives” have adopted it as a preferred mode of transportation, turning it into a familiar sight outside of high-profile events like the Oscars and the Met Gala.
