New Mercedes-Benz Citan: not as practical as sister Renault Kangoo
The “heel” Mercedes-Benz Citan of the second generation debuted exactly five months after the new Renault Kangoo (third generation) immediately in the cargo and passenger versions. Sales in Europe will begin in September.
The previous Citan, based on the “second”, rounded Kangoo, was a very specific product in terms of design and did not fit well into the corporate identity of Mercedes-Benz. The new Kangoo in this sense is a much more successful basis: the Citan derivative looks quite harmonious and even elegant from some angles. The main forces of the designers were thrown into reshaping the front end of the donor French model and a completely original interior – even the upholstery of the seats and the design of the door cards were changed here.
Due to its own front end design, the Citan is slightly longer than the Kangoo: the overall length is 4498 and 4486 mm, respectively, but the relatives have the same wheelbase – 2716 mm. Both models will also have extended versions, but they have not yet been presented. It is not clear why, but the Citan has less useful body volume than the Kangoo – 2.9 cubic meters versus 3.3, and Renault allows you to increase it to 3.9 cubic meters by folding the front passenger seat. The latter, by the way, the “Frenchman” can have a double.
For Mercedes, the Open Sesame option available to Renault is not declared when the right B-pillar of the body is missing and the length of the doorway reaches 1446 mm. The maximum carrying capacity of the “German” is 782 kg, while Renault is ready to take on board up to 800 kg. The tailgate can be a one-piece lifting or double-leaf hinged door with asymmetrical wings.
The interior with “live” dial gauges and a small 7-inch multimedia screen or a simple radio seems outdated compared to modern Mercedes-Benz cars, but the main thing is that everything is convenient, and luxury lovers should wait for the T-class – the luxury passenger version of the “heel”, which will debut next year along with an electric version. The electric version will also have “duty” and luxury versions, referred to as eCitan and EQT, respectively.
Mercedes-Benz eCitan
The traditional power line is the same as the Kangoo, and consists of three diesel and two petrol versions. The 1.5-liter turbodiesel is available in 75, 95 and 116 hp versions, the petrol 1.3-liter turbo engine is available in 102 and 131 hp versions. Gearboxes – 6-speed “mechanics” or 7-speed “automatic” type DCT (with two clutches). Four-wheel drive is not provided, only front.
Diesel engines with 75 and 116 hp are not available for the passenger Citan Tourer. – only 95-strong. The 116-horsepower diesel engine, exclusive to the truck version, has the function of a short-term increase in power up to 121 hp. (the maximum torque is increased from 270 to 295 Nm). The passenger version has disc rear brakes, the cargo version has drum brakes.
The cargo Citan Panel Van has six airbags in the base, and the passenger Citan Tourer has seven airbags: a center airbag is added in the front row, allowing you to get the maximum score in the side crash tests from the latest Euro NCAP program. The list of electronic driver assistants is also sufficient to receive the highest 5-star rating.
recently, the new Mercedes-Benz Citan, most likely, will not appear, since the previous Citan was sold in our homeopathic doses and left the market in 2018. The luxury T-class is much more likely to be on our roads.