Mercedes-Benz has launched its new Citan van, and the German giant says that it’s the last time it will launch a new commercial van with an internal combustion engine.
Shares with the Renault Kangoo
Once again, the Citan platform-shares with the Renault Kangoo, but this time around there are more distinct Mercedes components on show, including a much more Mercedes-like interior.
Overall, the Citan is 4,498mm long, with a 3,050mm load bay, but that’s for the standard model. Mercedes will also launch short and extended wheelbase versions in the coming months, as well as a crew-cab variant. There’s also a five-seat ‘Tourer’ passenger version.
The gross vehicle weight is 2,250kg, with a 782kg payload. The maximum capacity is 2.9 cubic metres, which means that the Citan can carry two Euro Pallets. There are two sliding side doors, which when opened give you a 615mm wide by 1059mm high space through which to load. The rear doors can open to 90 degrees or be folded back flat along the side of the van.
Three diesel, two petrol models
Initially, the Citan will be offered with a choice of 1.4-litre turbodiesel or 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engines. Diesel variants are the 75hp 108 CDI, 95hp 110CDI and 116hp 112CDI units, whilst the 102hp 110 and 131hp 113 account for the petrol models. All are Euro 6d compliant and feature start-stop function. Alongside a six-speed manual gearbox, the most powerful diesel and petrol models are also available with an automatic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
In addition to anti-lock brakes and stability control systems, safety features, many imported from Mercedes-Benz passenger car ranges, include Hill Start Assist, Crosswind Assist, the fatigue-warning system Attention Assist and the Mercedes Benz emergency call system as standard. Additional standard systems on the Tourer model include Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Speed Limit Assist. Six and seven airbags come as standard in the panel van and Tourer, respectively.
Driver comfort can be enhanced through the MBUX (Mercedes Benz User Experience) infotainment system. Available as an option, it features a seven-inch touchscreen, steering wheel touch control buttons, “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Bluetooth hands-free system.
All-electric eCitan
The Mercedes eCitan will be all-electric and have a range of up to 285km on a single charge. It uses a 74kW electric motor to deliver 102hp and 245Nm of torque, and has a 44kWh battery. That battery can be rapid charged from ten per cent to 80 per cent capacity in around 40 minutes.
Whilst noting that the Citan is expected to be available in Ireland in the latter half of 2022, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager, Fergus Conheady says:
“The Citan and eCitan will appeal to the fleet, owner-operator and rental sectors in equal measure, thanks to their attractive styling and appearance, compact external dimensions, generous internal space and high load capacity.”