By Otsile Kadiege

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new Volkswagen Caddy rivalling Citan. The automaker promises the second-generation Citan will have a multitude of possible uses and comfortable loading, modern and economical engines, comfort, safety and new technology. 

Exterior design and practicality 

Up front, the new Citan sports a grille with 3 double-edged sword-like vertical slats flanked by LED headlights with daytime running lights (DRLs) or the standard halogen lights on the Base equipment line. On the top grade, the rear-end features LED tail lights with a design similar to those seen on the Sprinter. 

The new Citan is 4498 mm long and Mercedes-Benz claims that it offers a generous amount of space. There’s a short-wheelbase version measuring 2716 mm, however, offers more space compared with the predecessor model – on the Panel Van, for example, the load compartment length is 3.05 m (with the flexible partition wall). For easy entry and exit, the Citan has sliding doors which offer a wide opening on both sides of the vehicle measuring 615 mm. The height of the load compartment opening is 1059 mm (both figures represent the clearance).

Interior design technology 

Inside the new Citan, there isn’t really much to right home about apart from the turbine styled air vents, the automaker’s new multifunction steering wheel design and the optional 7-inch touchscreen with the MBUX infotainment system featuring the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant.

Safety and driver assistance systems 

The Citan Tourer is equipped with 7 airbags including a centre airbag while the Panel Van is equipped with six airbags as standard. Other safety equipment includes ABS, ESP, Hill Start Assist, Crosswind Assist as well as the fatigue-warning system. 

As standard, the Citan Tourer is equipped with the following driver assistance systems: Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Speed Limit Assist with traffic sign detection. The list can be extended with many other assistance systems like the optional Active Distance Assist. 

Powertrains

The Citan Tourer and Panel Van will be available with a number of diesel and petrol 4-cylinder engines developing between 70 – 96 kW and 240 – 260 Nm in the Tourer and 55 – 96 kW, and 230 – 270 Nm in the Panel Van. The engines are mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DCT. Joining the eSprinter and eVito in the second half of 2022 will be the fully-electric eCitan. 

For a balanced combination of ride comfort, driving dynamics and driving safety, the new Citan’s front wheels are suspended on McPherson axle with wishbones at the bottom. At the rear, a space-saving torsion-beam axle is used.

Availability

The Panel Van and Tourer will also be available in the BASE and PRO equipment lines. We are yet to receive any communication from Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa on local availability.