CARS OF THE WORLD

Mercedes-Benz Citan 2022.

New Mercedes-Benz Citan unveiled: van and passenger version.

The Mercedes X-Class pickup based on the Nissan has failed and gone, but the «heel» Mercedes Citan, which is a reworked Renault Kangoo, although it did not become really successful, but stayed in line.

The companies have taken into account its mistakes and tried to correct them in the development of the new generation.

The Citan is still unified with the Kangoo, but Mercedes designers and engineers were involved in the project from the beginning.

Therefore, even the new generation Kangoo is richer and more comfortable than its predecessor, and the Citan is more «Mercedes-esque».

The platform and body of the two models are still common, but Mercedes has the original front end with the design in the style of the company’s passenger cars.

The new Citan looks much more harmonious than its predecessor: thanks to design chief Gordon Wagener’s team. Mercedes has its own taillights and bumper. The base headlights are halogen, but LED headlights are available for an extra charge.

And the interior is completely original, having nothing in common with Kangoo, right down to the other door handles.

However, the architecture is unified, but for affinity with the «real» Mercedes are responsible deflectors of ventilation in the form of turbines, corporate graphic devices, steering wheel with a round hub (for an additional charge and with sensor panels on spokes), as well as the missing right hand wheel switch.

And even in two-pedal versions there will be emptiness, because traditional selector on the central console flush is responsible for transmission control.

Base Citan has rather simple equipment: monochrome screen of onboard computer, usual conditioner, simple radio.

But rich versions have a color screen in the instrument panel (Kangoo does not have this), 2-zone climate control, button start the engine, the media system MBUX with voice control, and next year will appear and electric handbrake (Kangoo does not have this option).

While only Citan with a standard wheelbase of 2716 mm is presented, the length of such «heel» — 4498 mm (177 mm more than its predecessor).

But simultaneously debuted cargo and passenger versions. And both can be ordered with a lift-up rear door, as well as with asymmetric hinged doors.

The Mercedes-Benz Citan Panel Van has a cargo volume of 2.9 cubic meters and a payload of up to 752 kg.

The passenger Mercedes-Benz Citan Tourer has two rows of seats. Sliding doors with a 615mm wide opening lead to the rear, but the rear row, like the Kangoo, is a sofa separated in a 60:40 ratio.

It is not possible to order three separate seats, although some competitors have such an option.

Later in the range will be added long wheelbase version (including a third row of seats) and a version of the Mixto with two rows of seats and a full cargo compartment behind.

«There are six airbags in the base, and the passenger Tourer in addition has a central airbag, which opens between the front seats, preventing the collision of the driver and passenger.

As for assisting electronics, the «passenger» version also has an advantage: in addition to the automatic braking system, it is equipped with Lane Keeping Assist, blind spot monitoring and road sign reading. Adaptive cruise control is an option.

German engineers worked on Renault CMF platform (McPherson in front, semi-independent suspension in rear).

They reconfigured the chassis, picked up new elastic elements, changed calibration of electric power steering — all to make the heel more like a real Mercedes.

And the passenger versions have disc brakes on the rear axle, while the vans and all Kangoo have drum mechanisms.

Powertrain for the new Mercedes Benz is taken from the similar Renault, but with corrected settings. The engine range includes gasoline turbo four 1.3 in 102 or 131 hp versions, and also turbo diesel 1.5 CDI with 75, 95 or 116 «horses».

And the senior diesel engine can briefly increase up to 119 hp. (for example, for overtaking). But 75 and 116 hp diesels are available only for a van for some reason.

The main gearbox is a six-speed manual, and for the 116 hp and 131 hp versions you can order a seven-speed double-clutch «robot».

At the same time, an electric Mercedes-Benz eCitan is shown as a prototype. It has a 102 hp and 245 Nm electric motor on the front axle and a 44 kWh traction battery under the floor which should be enough for 285 kilometers on the WLTP cycle.

This electric car can even be equipped with a towbar. But the eCitan will not enter the market until the second half of 2022, at the same time as a similar Renault.

Powertrains for the new Mercedes are taken from the similar Renault, but with adjusted settings. The engine range includes petrol turbo four 1.3 in 102 or 131 hp versions, and also turbo diesel 1.5 CDI with 75, 95 or 116 «horses».

And the senior diesel engine can boost up to 119 hp for a short time. (for example, for overtaking). But 75 and 116 hp diesels are available only for a van for some reason.

The main gearbox is a six-speed manual, and for the 116 hp and 131 hp versions you can order a seven-speed double-clutch «robot».

At the same time, an electric Mercedes-Benz eCitan is shown as a prototype. It has a 102 hp and 245 Nm electric motor on the front axle and a 44 kWh traction battery under the floor which should be enough for 285 kilometers on the WLTP cycle.

This electric car can even be equipped with a towbar. But on the market eCitan will be released only in the second half of 2022, simultaneously with a similar Renault.

Also. It is stated that the new Citan is the last all-new model of the Mercedes-Benz Vans division which has internal combustion engines.

From now on, there will only be electric cars, including larger Vito and Sprinter models.

However, the gradual modernization of existing cars with internal combustion engines can prolong their life for many years, so the full refusal from gasoline and diesel engines is out of the question.