Mercedes-Benz Citan Gets Two New Renault Engines, 7-Seat Crewcab Version

The Renault Kangoo-based Mercedes-Benz Citan small commercial vehicle is now available with two new engines, a diesel and a petrol unit, both sourced from Renault. The new powerplants are a 1.5-liter diesel unit with 109 hp (110PS) for the top-of-the-line diesel model Citan 111 CDI and a 1.2-liter petrol unit with 113 hp (114PS) in the Citan 112. You may recognize these engines by their real Renault names - Energy dCi 110 and Energy TCe 115.

The Citan 111 CDI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph), thanks in part to the engine’s maximum torque of 240 Nm (177 lb-ft).

And while its performance specs will fail to impress anyone, fuel economy figures may do it. When fitted with the optional BlueEfficiency package including the Eco start/stop function, the Citan 111 CDI averages 4.4 liters/100 km (53.4 mpg US). Prices in Germany start from €17,130 ($23,140) for the Citan 111 CDI panel van, excluding VAT.

The new petrol version Citan 112 is faster to 100 km/h (62 mph) at 11.7 seconds and reaches a slightly higher top speed – 173 km/h (107 mph). However, fuel consumption is considerably higher than the 111 CDI’s at 6.1 liters/100 km (38.5 mpg US), although it’s fitted as standard with the BlueEfficiency technology. The Citan 112 is cheaper than the Citan 111 CDI, at €15,810 ($20,500).

Both models are fitted as standard with a six-speed manual transmission with a wide ratio spread that ensures low engine speeds and high road speeds, as well as low driving noise and fuel consumption.

Another new addition to the Mercedes-Benz Citan lineup is an extra-long crewbus version with up to seven seats that will launch in spring 2014. Based on the extra-long variant which measures 4,705 mm (185.2 in), the crewbus features a third row of seats consisting of two individual seats that are independently adjustable fore-and-aft, and can be individually folded down or removed.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Mercedes-Benz Sketches New Citan Deliver Van Co-Developed with Renault-Nissan

These are the first official sketches of Mercedes-Benz's all-new Citan, which the German automaker describes as an 'urban delivery van'. The Citan will make its world premiere at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover this September and go on sale before the end of the year.
In spite of the fact that Mercedes-Benz does not mention it in its press release, the automaker had previously revealed that the small van was developed in partnership with the Renault-Nissan alliance as part of their strategic collaboration, which includes several more projects such as the Twingo/Smart platform and powertrain cross-supply.
The Citan broadens Mercedes-Benz's offerings in in the lower weight classes of the van market, which include the Vito (2.77 to 3.2 tons), Sprinter (3.0 to 5.0 tons) and Vario (6.0 to 8.2 tons).
The German company said that the small van segment has picked up in sales these past couple of decades and has now grown to around 700,000 units in Europe alone. It added that it plans to gain a market share of four to five percent in this segment with the Citan, which equals to 28,000 to 35,000 units a year in Europe.