The new Citan from Mercedes-Benz: a truly professional urban delivery van

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Powerful yet with compact dimensions making it especially suitable for city use – for the first time, the Mercedes-Benz portfolio of vans features a dedicated delivery vehicle for the urban environment. With its impressive quality and driving dynamics, exemplary safety and economy, and high level of versatility and robustness, the new Mercedes-Benz Citan is a truly professional urban delivery van.

The Mercedes-Benz Citan will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September.

Choice of three lengths and three model variants

Due to its versatility and adaptability, the new Mercedes-Benz Citan fulfils a broad range of commercial applications. Based on a panel van, this urban delivery van is available in three different lengths: 3.94 m, 4.32 m and 4.71 m.

There will also be a variable, five-seater Citan Mixto vehicle with folding rear seat bench, wire mesh partition separating the load compartment, and two sliding doors. This mixed-use vehicle is based on the extra-long variant. The third basic design is the Citan crewbus, which is also a five-seater vehicle with folding rear seat bench and optional sliding doors on each side, but this time with a long wheelbase. Depending on the model, there are also three different weights ranging up to a maximum permissible gross vehicle weight of 2200 kilograms.

As an alternative to the standard rear-end doors, Mercedes-Benz will be supplying the Citan with a wide-opening tailgate. Optional roof rails boost flexibility as does the optional ladder hatch for the panel van to facilitate the transportation of extra-long items.

Comprehensive safety equipment

As is the case with every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, safety plays a big role in the new Citan. The urban delivery van comes with the Electronic Stability Program ADAPTIVE ESP® as standard, which takes the vehicle load into consideration. This innovative dynamic handling control system in the new Citan combines the functions of the anti-locking braking system ABS®, VDC® (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which counters over- and understeer, and TCS® (Traction Control System). It also includes ASR® (acceleration skid control) and drive and braking torque control.

Up to six airbags onboard as standard

Start-off Assist, daytime running lamps, height-adjustable seat belts, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for the driver and front passenger, a seat belt reminder and driver airbag all come as standard. Amongst other standard features, the Citan crewbus (with M1 homologation) additionally has a front passenger airbag, thorax sidebags and windowbags for the driver and front passenger.
In the panel van, a full partition wall protects the driver and front passenger from loads sliding or tipping over. There are rings in the rear for securing the load. A plastic floor covering and partial trim prevent items with sharp edges from damaging the body in the load compartment.

Characteristic brand look with prominent radiator grille

The Mercedes-Benz Citan is instantly recognisable as a Mercedes-Benz thanks to the vehicle’s characteristic brand look. Providing the brand signature, the chromed star is self-assuredly set against the prominent, robust radiator grille with three sporty perforated louvres. The Mercedes-Benz Citan’s bold headlamps and the pronounced V-shape to the bonnet with its clearly defined edges are equally striking.

The trapezoidal shape of the air intake in the bumper emphasises width and the powerful impression made by the Citan. Again, this feature is one of the brand’s typical style elements at the present time, from the latest Mercedes-Benz cars in the compact class through to the new Actros.

A distinctive tail end styled in detail

Also emphasising width, the angular lower edge of the rear window mirrors the line of the vertically mounted tail lights, the detail of the new Citan reflecting the expert hand of Mercedes-Benz designers. On variants with rear-end doors, the numberplate is affixed on the wider, left-hand side of the asymmetric doors. When buyers order their Mercedes-Benz Citan with a tailgate, the numberplate is positioned centrally.

The new Citan is a compelling urban delivery van with a unique appearance and fits seamlessly into the portfolio alongside the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Vito vans.

Equipped to a high standard for ergonomic and comfortable working

Just as distinctive, the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz Citan is equipped to a high standard. Both the driver and front passenger benefit from equally firm, comfortably padded seats. The form-fitting shape of the backrests in particular provides lateral support, thereby ensuring comfort and safety. Drawing on the brand’s typical design idiom, the fabric cover on the seats is skin-friendly and breathable, as well as easy to care for and durable.

As powerful and striking as the exterior of the new Citan, the instrument panel is designed around the driver. The surface has a leather-like grain for an attractive look and feel.

Drivers of any other Mercedes-Benz will immediately feel at home in the cockpit of the new Citan and not just due to the familiar star on the steering wheel: the combination switches, gearknob, light switches and keys on the instrument panel all meet Mercedes-Benz’s usual standards for the driver’s area in terms of layout, look and function. Trim over the glove compartment enhances the interior further.

Focus on functionality

The Citan is all about meeting the challenges faced in day-to-day operations. Functional features include a large glove compartment, a stowage compartment between the front seats and a useful overhead stowage compartment across the entire width of the windscreen to accommodate all those items that drivers keep on hand on a daily basis. The practical, standard equipment for the new Citan includes a height-adjustable steering wheel, central locking with remote control and exterior mirrors which can be adjusted from inside.

Engines covering all requirements

The choice of engines is broad. Three high-torque, turbodiesel direct-injection engines with outputs from 55 kW (75 hp) to 81 kW (110 hp) and a nippy, supercharged petrol engine generating 84 kW (114 PS) cover all standard requirements. All the diesel engines have a particulate filter as standard. Five and six-speed transmissions with a joystick gearshift positioned within easy reach on the centre console transmit power to the front wheels.

Handling as expected of the brand: safe and smooth

The developers of the Mercedes-Benz Citan have paid particular attention to ensuring that the handling is as expected of the brand, delivering a combination of driving dynamics, agility and ride comfort. The Direct-Steer system is accurate and sensitive, while the suspension, damping and stabiliser bars have been carefully attuned to each other.

Whether empty or loaded, the new Citan is a bona fide Mercedes-Benz, offering precision, driving safety and the smooth handling that drivers are accustomed to from the Sprinter and Vito.

Economical thanks to low fuel consumption

Outstanding economy is another trademark of the new Citan. In addition to long service intervals of up to 40,000 km or two years, this extends to fuel consumption. Factors here are the economical drive system together with the standard electrohydraulic steering.

A gearshift indicator as standard helps drivers of the new Citan to adopt an economical driving style. Fleet operators are able to increase the efficiency of the new Citan still further by way of speed limitation set ex factory.

BlueEFFICIENCY package reduces consumption further

The petrol-engined Citan comes with a BlueEFFICIENCY package as standard, which is optional for the diesel versions. Amongst other features this includes the ECO start/stop function, battery and generator management, plus optimised low rolling resistance tyres depending on the variant which again reduce fuel consumption.

Options allow the Citan to be adapted fully to customer requirements

Thanks to a range of individualisation options, the new Mercedes-Benz Citan can be tailored with ease to a customer-specific deployment scenario. In addition to safety and comfort options, there are also numerous functional extras to choose from.

Different partition systems, a folding front passenger seat to enlarge the load compartment, various door and window configurations and load compartment trim options are just a selection from the extensive range. Accessories that can be supplied ex factory include roof racks, carrier systems and load-compartment tubs. As an alternative to individual options, Citan buyers have access to various specially created packages.

The new Mercedes-Benz Citan is turning out to be a true transport professional in every detail. Special superstructures made by bodybuilders can be adapted to the vehicle technology with the help of a special interface and a parameterisable special module.

Tailor-made service portfolio

Attractive, tailor-made financing and service offerings are being prepared for the new Mercedes-Benz Citan. These aspects are very important to customers so the new Citan scores highly thanks to the integrated expertise of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Credits: Daimler AG

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