So far, the cooperation with Renault-Nissan has not really paid off for the Mercedes van division. Because the first Citan based on the Kangoo fell short of expectations, and the Nissan Navara converted to the X-Class was a flop. In the third attempt it should finally work with the new Citan. Because this time the timing was right.
Life punishes those who come too late. This not only applies in politics, but also in automotive engineering. Because when Mercedes decided on the first Citan in cooperation with Renault, the Kangoo was long finished and the Daimler engineers couldn't do much more than stick a few stars on the sheet metal. But because a star alone does not make a Mercedes, the van fell far short of expectations. And the fact that he then missed the fifth star in the crash test certainly didn't help. After the problem was repeated in 2017 with the X-Class based on the Nissan Navara and the Swabians' first pick-up was now discontinued after only three years, you can understand that men like Nicola Crimi are a little nervous. Because Crimi is a test engineer at the Swabians and is currently putting the finishing touches on the new Citan about six months before it is launched. It is based on the Kangoo again, but this time it should finally not only look like Mercedes, but also feel like it: "Design, equipment, driving experience, interior impression and safety are just as you know it from Mercedes," promises Crimi. Because in the third attempt, the timing was right: "For the first time we were involved in the development from the beginning and were able to incorporate all of our specifications and ideas."
Very high quality inside
You can already tell from the prototype, even if it is still wearing the prototype's black and white robe. Because while on the outside there is hardly anything to be seen of the sensual clarity, which design chief Gorden Wagener has also made a maxim for the vans, the first thing that catches the eye inside is the steering wheel of the A-Class. You can see plenty of paintwork and leather, and even if the widescreen cockpit of the compact car was not included, the MBUX infotainment system will run on the screen between the analog round instruments and the touchscreen next to it, which has also found its way into the last series of the Swabians - "Hey Mercedes" and voice control included. Yes, even the key is finally off the Mercedes shelf and is not a Renault or Nissan knob with a star, promises Crimi and quickly removes the dummy from the prototype, which is still reminiscent of the French.
As before, the Kangoo clone, which is always equipped with sliding doors, will be available in several versions, says Crimi. It is not for nothing that the van that is supposed to start at the same time is already parked next to the tourer with its glazed body and second bench. And the long wheelbase for an XL variant is again firmly planned, with a third row of seats and individual armchairs in the middle if desired.
Next year as a Stromer
As much as the Citan emancipates itself from the French in terms of appearance and ambience, the two cross-border commuters will remain close to each other when it comes to drive. The French provide it and assemble the same 1,3-liter petrol and 1,5-liter diesel in the Citan at the Maubeuge plant on the border with Belgium, as they come in the Kangoo - with around 130 hp Four-cylinder at the top. And when the Citan comes as a Stromer next year, the battery and electric motor will also come from the Renault shelf.
But Crimi and his colleagues attached all the more importance to a typical Mercedes driving experience: The speed-dependent power steering is precise without being sharp, the chassis is gentle but not spongy, and the noise insulation is very effective, which makes you feel less in a commercial vehicle than in one Compact from the MFA family. Correspondingly dignified and relaxed, the prototype rolls over the Black Forest hills around the test site in Immendingen, irons richly and cleanly over the frost cracks in the streets and gently swings over the bumps in the asphalt. It is true that it understeers a little in tight corners and the chassis does not fully compensate for the inclination of the body. But this way the driver always has a good feeling for the car and his speed and blood pressure stay in the basement. Especially since the Citan with its maximum 130 hp is not suitable for lawn anyway, although the Erlkönig shows a certain hurry and is closely following the GLE of the test leader driving ahead.
More Mercedes inside than ever, noticeably more comfortable than before and the fifth star is probably out of the question - this time the Swabians have trimmed the Kangoo so much for Mercedes that they don't want to leave it at the Citan. Similar to the Vito and V-Class, the small van will also be ennobled as a full-fledged car and will therefore also be launched as a T-Class next year.