Mercedes to release a new generation of its Citan small van this year

FRANKFURT: Mercedes is preparing the next generation of its Citan. The small van will be available as a panel van and as a tourer for family use in the second half of the year, the manufacturer has announced.

In 2022, the company will also launch an electric version of the model. In addition, Mercedes will then add an upgraded version of the Citan based on the tourer to its passenger car range as a stand-alone T-Class.

The Mercedes Citan was originally developed in cooperation with Renault and the new edition is also based on the Renault Kangoo, a new generation of which will also be released in mid-2021. However, the company has promised more independent features this time.

“We were involved in this generation from the very beginning and were thus able to anchor our own design, safety, ride comfort and interior characteristics in the conception stage,” said development engineer Nicola Crimi.

A typical Mercedes cockpit with borrowings from the A-Class like the steering wheel or the MBUX infotainment system including a touchscreen and voice control would be part of the deal, for example.

The Citan will be available again in two different lengths with two wheelbases and up to three rows, Crimi said, promising a wide selection of engines: “We'll start with gasoline and diesels before the electric version comes next year.”

Mercedes is not planning a Citan powered by hybrid drive, however. The company is set to release further details in the coming months.