2023 Mercedes-Benz Citan city van to launch in Australia
Mercedes-Benz is set to expand its range of delivery vans in Australia with the Renault-based Citan, after avoiding the previous model because it lacked a five-star safety rating.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Citan is coming to launch in Australia, Drive can reveal – initially with petrol power and an automatic transmission, however an electric version could follow.
The first-generation Mercedes-Benz Citan was not sold in Australia because the company elected not to import it due to the lack of a five-star safety rating.
Now, documents filed with the Department of Infrastructure reveal Mercedes-Benz is poised to introduce the new-generation short-wheelbase Citan to the Australian market in the coming months – after almost a decade of endeavouring to bring the small commercial van to local showrooms.
The new Mercedes-Benz Citan is based on the new Renault Kangoo – which is also due to launch in Australia in early 2023 following delays.
Mercedes-Benz plans to offer its version of the city van here initially with a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine producing 96kW and 240Nm.
While buyers in Europe get a choice of diesel engines and manual gearboxes, the Mercedes-Benz Citan will initially only be available locally with a petrol engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels, and with a claimed 0 to 100km/h time of 11.6 seconds.
The claimed average fuel consumption is listed at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
An electric model is also available in Europe – named the Mercedes-Benz eCitan – based on the Renault Kangoo E-Tech and powered by an electric motor producing 90kW and 245Nm, fed by a 45kWh for an estimated driving range of 285km (WLTP cycle).
It's unclear if the Mercedes-Benz eCitan will come to Australia in the coming years; it was not listed in the initial set of government approval documents.
Mercedes-Benz Vans has already launched three of the four electric vehicles it has planned for Australia by 2024 – the eVito, eVito Tourer, and EQV – with the Sprinter yet to come.
At the unveiling of the eCitan in late 2021, European media outlets suggested the electric panel van could be priced similarly to the Nissan Leaf – which starts from $50,990 before on-road costs locally – theoretically making the Mercedes-Benz eligible for recently-announced tax exemptions in Australia.
Dimensions for the new Mercedes-Benz small van: 4488mm long, 1859mm wide, and 1822mm high, with a wheelbase of 2716mm and a clearance of 179mm, and features 180-degree barn doors at the rear.
The petrol-powered Mercedes-Benz Citan weighs 1529kg, and can tow up to 1500kg braked (730kg unbraked).
According to the government documents, the Mercedes-Benz Citan will be offered with 'autonomous steering' as an option in Australia, suggesting buyers could have access to lane-keep assistance and other safety features when the vehicle goes on sale locally.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Citan has yet to be confirmed for Australia by the manufacturer, but a formal announcement is expected in the coming months ahead of a local launch in 2023.
Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia has been approached for comment about the Citan's arrival. This story will be updated with the company's response.
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