Mercedes-Benz: Citan fills the gaps

The Citan's pronounced V-shape to the bonnet with its clearly defined edges is a striking feature. Photo / Supplied

When it launches its first delivery van specially designed for city driving, Mercedes-Benz will be aiming at customers who spend most of their working days negotiating busy urban streets.

The Citan will will be unveiled to the public at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany, in September, and will take its place with Mercedes' other commercial vans, the Sprinter and Vito.

"We are currently working on the business case for the Citan," said Mercedes-Benz Vans general manager said Diane Tarr.

"At this stage we can't confirm which variants we will take but we can confirm that we will be taking the vehicle.

"We are excited by the choices the Citan offers van customers.

"We are intent on offering solutions to our commercial vehicle customers and the Citan fills a gap in our product range that our customers have been asking us to fill."

The urban delivery van will come with Mercedes' adaptive ESP as standard, which takes the vehicle load into consideration. The system combines the functions of ABS, vehicle dynamic control (which counters oversteer and understeer) and traction control. It also includes acceleration skid control and drive and braking torque control.

The Citan is instantly recognisable as a Mercedes-Benz thanks to the chromed star in the centre of the radiator grille with three sporty perforated louvres. The 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.

The interior of the Citan is equipped to a high standard with form-fitting shape of the backrests providing lateral support for driver and passenger while the front dash is designed for easy access for the driver.

The company is also covering an array of engines.

"For New Zealand we expect to offer a high-torque, turbodiesel direct-injection engine and a nippy forced induction petrol engine both with close to 200Nm of torque," Tarr said. "The diesel engine will have a particulate filter as standard."

A six-speed transmission with a joystick gearshift positioned within easy reach on the centre console transmits power to the front wheels.

The Citan will have a start-stop function, battery and generator management, plus optimised low-rolling resistance tyres, depending on the variant, which helps reduce fuel consumption.

The van is expected in New Zealand early next year with the price to be announced closer to the date.