New Mercedes-Benz CITAN Panel Van – Small Size, Big Possibilities.
New Mercedes-Benz Citan is a solid all-rounder.
The first-generation of the Mercedes-Benz Citan was introduced in 2012 as a badge-engineered variant of the Renault Kangoo, but it was never officially sold in Ireland. Now in its second-generation, the new Citan is based on the latest iteration of the Renault Kangoo, but it comes with a lot more input from Mercedes-Benz than the previous model. The new model Citan has a completely unique Mercedes-Benz design, and an infotainment system exclusive to the Citan. Although small in size, there is no compromise on the things that really matter, and the Citan brings with it a car-like driving experience like never before. The all-new platform that underpins the Citan has considerably improved the sound deadening, reducing engine and road noise in the process.
New Corporate Identity.
The new Mercedes-Benz Citan was designed primarily for commercial and small business use, and it competes with other compact vans like the Ford Transit Connect, Volkswagen Caddy, Citroen Berlingo, Opel Combo, Peugeot Partner, and its own close relative, the new Renault Kangoo. From the front, the new Citan looks very much in keeping with other commercial vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, namely the mid-size Vito and larger Sprinter panel vans.
High-Quality Cabin.
The new Citan features a completely different dashboard than the Renault Kangoo, with only the likes of the interior door handles shared with its French relative. Take a seat behind the multi-function steering wheel of the new Citan and you will be impressed by the high quality look and feel of the materials employed, as plenty of parts from the Sprinter van and some Mercedes-Benz passenger cars have been used to great effect. Sitting proudly between the two central rotary air vents is the Mercedes-Benz MBUX infotainment screen, with stylish rotary air-conditioning controls located just below and within easy reach of the driver. The steering wheel offers plenty of adjustment for reach and rake, and it is easy to find a comfortable driving position thanks to height and lumbar adjustment for the driver. Cabin practicality is excellent too, with door bins that can hold 1.5-litre bottles, a lidded central storage compartment between the 2 seats, a relatively-spacious glovebox, and an open area at the top of the dashboard for keeping the likes of a clipboard or folder for easy accessibility when needed.
Generously Equipped Trim Grades.
The new Citan is available in PRO and PRO+ trim grades, both of which come with a full-width bulkhead, a single sliding side door, rear doors that can open to 90 and 180-degrees , a 7-inch MBUX infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a reversing camera, air-conditioning, heated & electrically-adjustable door mirrors, armrest with stowage compartment, ATTENTION ASSIST, alarm, Breakdown Assistance button, cruise control with speed limiter, Hill Start ASSIST, and 6 airbags for the driver and passenger (including thorax-sidebags and windowbags). Also standard is a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and a sliding door rail in the vehicle colour. Upgrading to Pro+ trim adds body-coloured bumpers, 16-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, LED high-performance headlamps, an electric parking brake and a leather gear-shift lever (manual transmission).
Diesel Power Now, Electric On The Way.
The new Citan comes to the market with just diesel power for now, but a fully-electric version (eCitan) is due to be launched soon. The 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine is available with two power options; 95hp (Citan 110) and 116hp (Citan 112), both of which comply with the latest Euro 6d exhaust emission standard. Based on official WLTP fuel consumption figures, the new Citan is capable of achieving up to 1,000km from its 54-litre fuel tank on a combined driving cycle. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, but an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available. Presently, the new Citan is available only in a long wheel-base variant, but an extra-long variant is expected soon. The maximum internal width in the cargo area is 1,524mm, and between the wheel arches it reduces to 1,248mm, while the maximum internal height is 1,256mm. The Citan has 2.9 cubic metres of cargo space available behind the bulkhead, and it has a maximum load length of 1,806mm, which is enough to accommodate a pair of Europallets. The cargo area has a maximum payload capacity of 640kg, and also features 6 tie-down points on the floor, and another 4 on the sides. The Citan is rated to tow trailers up to a maximum gross train weight (GTW) of 3,500kg.
Test Van Details.
My test van was a new Citan 110 PRO+, which was finished in Loparite black metallic paintwork. The diesel engine produces 95hp and 260Nm of torque, all of which is sent to the front wheels, and this enables the van to sprint from 0-100km/h in 11.7-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 175km/h (where permitted). The Citan’s overall ride quality is impressive, and the cabin is well isolated from road imperfections, thereby resulting in car-like levels of refinement. The steering is well-weighted, and with a turning circle of just 11.2-metres, it is easy to manoeuvre in and out of tight parking spaces. The diesel engine provides plenty of dynamism for motorway driving, or for overtaking slow-moving traffic, and it is well suited to the size and weight of the Citan.
Verdict & Pricing.
The new Mercedes-Benz Citan panel van is refined, comfortable and engaging to drive. It is the ideal choice for drivers looking for an abundance of space, agile handling and a robust design. The inside adapts effortlessly to handle the most demanding of loads, while next-generation technology and safety systems provide terrific peace-of-mind motoring. The new Citan 110 PRO is priced from just €23,245 (excluding dealer-related costs, VAT and VRT), with my Citan 110 PRO+ test van specification priced from €24,889 (excluding dealer-related costs, VAT and VRT).
Visit www.mercedes-Benz.ie/vans
