[car fanatics]

Mercedes-Benz
Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz
February 3, 2012
By: CF staff

Mercedes-Benz’ new urban delivery van is called Citan. The name was revealed today during a symposium on brand competence and city logistics, which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen.

The name Citan combines the words “city” and “titan,” thus making it clear that the vehicle is a first-rate specialist for city logistics – one that was specifically developed to meet the tough challenges faced in day-to-day operations.

Mercedes-Benz quality standards were fulfilled in all areas

The Citan was developed and tested in line with Mercedes-Benz’ demanding quality standards. The vehicle is correspondingly durable and robust. At the same time, it meets the requirements of customers from the service, sales, and trade sectors, offering them a large cargo space despite the vehicle’s compact dimensions. In addition, the new city van boasts attributes typical of the brand, such as great quality, economy, safety, excellent handling, as well as high fuel efficiency and correspondingly low CO2 emissions. The drive concept encompasses a broad range of low-emission, fuel-efficient diesel and gasoline engines and includes a BlueEFFICIENCY package. An electric drive version is also being planned.
Due to its large number of variants, the new urban delivery van with the star is suited for a broad range of commercial applications. Not only will the Citan be offered as a panel van, a crewbus, and a mixed-use vehicle; it will also be available in a variety of lengths and weights.
The Citan’s operation, interior, materials, and workmanship are of the same high quality as in other Mercedes-Benz vans. The new urban delivery van can therefore be justly called the “little brother” of the Sprinter and Vito, to which it is in no way inferior. As is the case with every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, safety plays a big role in the new van, all variants of which come with ESP as standard.

Market Launch at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show

The Citan will be launched on the market in fall 2012. The vehicle will be unveiled to the general public for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September.

[BasiliskSt]

This is a big market in Europe (where Mercedes is less luxury and more full line). Even here in the U.S. Ford's Transit Connect reveals there's emerging demand for efficient fleet vehicles lighter than and more fuel efficient than full-size pickups. These won't replace pick-ups or full-size vans in America, but this class definitely is a better choice for some roles where weight carrying capacity isn't the driving issue of service performance. This looks like a good competitor for the Transit Connect and Fiat's Doblo.