Mercedes-Benz has released further details of its new Citan ahead of its first public appearance at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September. Designed to "round out" the company's delivery van range by providing an urban-oriented alternative to the Sprinter and the Vito, the Citan will offer a choice of three lengths and three turbodiesel engine variants.
The delivery van version of the Citan will be available in 3.94 m, 4.32 m and 4.71 m (12.9 ft, 14.2 ft and 15.5 ft) lengths. There's also a five seat Mixto model (4.71 m) with a foldable rear bench seat and two sliding doors and a "crewbus" variant which can also be fitted with five-seats and has the option of sliding doors on both sides.
Engine-wise, the Citan range will offer three high-torque turbo-diesel direct injection engines - from 55 kW (75 hp) to 81 kW (110 hp) - along with a supercharged gasoline engine variant that produces 84 kW (114 hp) and has the company's BlueEFFICIENCY package, which includes ECO start/stop and low rolling-resistance tires, as standard. The BlueEFFICIENCY package will be available as an option on the diesel models and there's also a choice of five- or six-speed manual transmissions.
Other notable technology includes Electronic Stability Program ADAPTIVE ESP and Vehicle Dynamic Control for improved handling, anti-locking braking system and acceleration skid control.
Mercedes-Benz says it aims to capture a 4 to 5 percent market share of the small van segment with the Citan, predicting sales of over 400,000 units by 2015.
The vehicle is the first to be produced under a strategic partnership between Daimler and Renault-Nissan and is due to launch this Autumn in Europe. No pricing details have yet been released.
