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Introduction to the Mercedes Citan: Diamond with a Star - and Later with Electricity

The van subsidiary introduces the new generation of the compact van based on the Renault Kangoo. The Citan gets larger, but also driver assistance and comfort are enhanced. However, the eCitan will not roll out until mid-2022.

Under the Hood: LOGISTRA editor Reichel had the details of the electric and conventional Citan explained to him in advance. | Photo: Daimler/Dirk Weyhenmeyer
Under the Hood: LOGISTRA editor Reichel had the details of the electric and conventional Citan explained to him in advance. | Photo: Daimler/Dirk Weyhenmeyer
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von Johannes Reichel

The bad news first: Even the Swabians can't perform magic – and despite all their electric ambitions, they have to align with the timeline of their cooperation partner, Renault. And that means: first the Euro-6d internal combustion engines with gasoline and diesel for the Citan, and then the purely electric variant eCitan. Something you might have expected the electric pioneer from France to do the other way around or simultaneously. But we’ve already sufficiently criticized the French for that.

eCitan: Later, but with a broader range of options

At least Daimler has released a bit more information on the urgently needed electric version in this class of urban tradespeople: There will be a completely "Down Spec" variant, only with an 11-kW AC charger on board, without LED headlights, and "simply electric," for the many customers who are looking for an environmentally friendly but also affordable transport vehicle and in any case always charge overnight on their own electricity, such as CEP services or craftsmen.

There will also be an option differentiated by a DC charger that offers a moderate 75 kW charging power in the rapidly intensifying e-competition, combined with a 22-kW AC charger unit. From 10 to 80 percent state of charge should be achieved in 40 minutes, with the charging curve remaining stably high for a long time. Additionally, there are various levels of onboard climate control and the optional, potentially more energy-saving LED lights. Always on board in the electric version and very convenient in everyday life: Keyless Go and Start as well as the electric parking brake.

Range: 285 Kilometers on Electricity

All in all, the eCitan with this package and an always-tempered, underfloor, rear-axle-mounted 44-kWh lithium-ion battery (Gross approx. 50 kWh) should be able to cover 285 kilometers according to WLTP. This should suffice for most users. The same applies to the payload of the electric model, which, with increased gross weight, will be on par with the standard model's optional "increased payload" version at 600 kilograms. The cargo space is not impacted and maintains an identical volume, ranging from 3.3 to 3.9 cubic meters with the fold-down passenger seat.

The long version of the van, extended to a generous 4.50 meters in length and grown by thirty centimeters, will arrive somewhat later, also in an electric version, and with 4.4 cubic meters, will almost match the volume of a small Vito. There will also be a trailer option, though with less than the 1,500 kilograms towing capacity of the two combustion engines, but still notable. The principle has been to apply the same standard for the electric model as for the combustion engine, according to a product manager: "Get the job done" - or in good Swabian "Schaffe is a Gschäft". Especially for the commercially oriented Citan, which on the passenger vehicle side is nobly complemented by the T-Class or EQT on the same basis.

Renault Keeps the Sesame Door

Incidentally, the spectacular "Open Sesame" side door, which dispenses with the B-pillar and sets the diamond apart from the star, is not necessarily considered part of the business. In Stuttgart, users are considered to be limited in number for this option. Otherwise, of course, one cargo space is much like another. The Citan Tourer combination version is ideal for mixed users, offering a casually foldable yet comfortable bench seat, allowing the passenger vehicle to transform into a small van in no time. Also clever is the roof rail, whose crossbars can fold out from the longitudinal supports and connect. Additionally, the rear seating area with an almost flat floor allows for easy passage and the potential to store narrow cartons behind the seats.

The Combustion Engine Requires Elaborate Emission Control

Thanks to an elaborate emission control system, the combustion engine is also allowed to continue "working". The 1.5-liter Renault diesel (55/70/85 kW) requires not only a soot filter and exhaust gas recirculation but also two SCR catalytic converters, supplied from a 16-liter AdBlue tank, and the 80-kilogram lighter 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (75/96 kW) also requires a particulate filter as standard. This ensures that the fossil-fuel-powered engines meet emission standards in all "states" of operation, including cold starts or highway driving. A six-speed manual transmission is standard here, with a dual-clutch transmission available for the more powerful versions. Overall, refined aerodynamics with underbody paneling and air vents in the bumper contribute to reduced overall emissions - according to WLTP, 6.4 to 7.2 l/100 km for the gasoline engines and 5.0 to 5.8 l/100 km for the diesels.

First Seating Experience: Differentiation in the Interior

Anyway, we already had the opportunity for a first personal and static comparison with the French "original" and found: Never before has there been so much differentiation between the star and the diamond (or rhombus). Not only has the front section of the 2.3-ton compact transporter been distinctly redesigned to align with the Stuttgart product's corporate identity, similar to the A-Class or C-Class with its pronounced "power dome" extending into the hood. Up to the B-pillar, the Benz designers reportedly had "free rein".

Furthermore, the interior also sets its own accents, both stylistically and practically. Above all: noticeably firmer and more comfortable seats with the familiar lateral support, differently textured plastics, and overall Daimler-like interior design, including the in-house MBUX system and Mercedes steering wheel, optionally with touch control buttons. The infotainment system comes with all functionalities up to dynamic route guidance and voice control, but here it is limited to a 7-inch display mounted on the instrument panel.

If screen swiping is too cumbersome for you, you can also use the steering wheel controls - or adjust important functions like navigation, radio, or media with direct buttons and the ventilation with handy and quality rotary knobs. And if you don't need all that, you can simply order the smartphone holder positioned on either side of the instrument cluster and use your preferred apps. Connectivity and digital services named "me connect" are standardly prepared via an on-board modem and can be displayed via a smartphone app, including remote queries of important vehicle status data and maintenance management alerts.

The Citan Should Drive Like a Mercedes

Daimler also seeks differentiation in the chassis, which is said to be tuned Mercedes-typically based on the design with independent front suspension and a torsion-beam rear axle with a Panhard rod. In other words, less soft and cushy compared to the French original, but more precise and firmer. It is clear that an identical array of driver assistance systems is offered, though it would only be referred to as "semi-automated" upon request in Swabian discretion. Of course, there is also the option for a "Spec Down" version, which, as a van, already includes six (Tourer seven, cruise control/lane assist/BAS) airbags, a drowsiness warning system, and a crosswind assist, all for under 20,000 euros net.

Optionally, you can then access the entire spectrum of Level-2 electronics, including active steering and lane assist, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and traffic sign recognition, emergency braking assistant with pedestrian and cyclist detection, side protection sensors, and blind spot warning. Naturally, there are also various parking assistants up to the active parking assist, although with 4.50 meters and well-sized exterior mirrors, this might be considered superfluous. Should the Citan indeed handle more precisely and firmly, the star could beat the diamond. We will see - or drive.

Translated automatically from German.
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