MOTORING JULY - Mercedes-Benz Citan 110 Premium plus Lotus

White van man's Mercedes

Badge engineering at its finest? Introduced back in 2012 as an ‘up-badged’ Renault Kangoo, the Mercedes Citan is an alternative “white” van on the market. With welcome refinements and additional practicalities, this is why the Citan is now great in its own right. Joint winner of International Van of the Year 2022, the Citan certainly has plenty of welcome features. Of course, this is a van and not a passenger vehicle. With that considered, it is a modest 4.9 metres long and 2.1 metres wide. Generously, you get a 1.8 by 1.2-metre-wide load bed, allowing for 666kgs of storage.

Physically, it is no bigger than your standard family hatch, and therefore is usable for more than just the daily workhorse. Providing you only need to transport yourself and one other passenger, I would happily recommend the Citan as an ideal daily drive. It is not bad looking nor ugly. A panel van, so high-sided and tall. The integrated fog lights and LED headlamps would, from the front, suggest that it is a standard road car.

Premium by name, not quite by nature. 

The three-pointed star illudes to comfort and refinement, and this is true for the most part. You get the same multifunction steering wheel as you find in the passenger cars, equipped with touch-sensitive buttons, which are okay to use when you get to grips with them. Along with a plastic-rimmed steering wheel, the rest of the cabin features that same hard plastic material. Not what you would want in your C63 AMG, but it is fit for purpose in this working vehicle. Furthermore, there is a 7-inch multimedia system encompassing an MBUX setup, utilising Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Somewhat of a contradiction when you have got hard plastics for construction sites, and fancy infotainment for sedate cruises. I am pleased to report that manual HVAC controls have fantastic air conditioning, most useful over a hot summer weekend.  Other features include an HD reversing camera, cruise control, high beam assist and heated wing mirrors. Overall, the cabin feels well put together and the cloth seats are most supportive. An abundance of cubby holes and storage facilities, even coat hooks behind the front occupants. Ticking all the boxes for a hard day’s work and being manageable for everyday use.

This being my first experience behind the wheel of a van, I was open to all of the stereotypes associated with van driving. Other than the lack of a central rear-view mirror, the Citan exudes a standard drive! A comfortable upright seating position allows the driver to comfortably access the 6-speed manual gearbox, multimedia and climate controls. You have only got a single stalk on the steering column, being used for wipers, indicators and high beam control. 

My comments might differ when the van is loaded, but I don’t think so.

When on the road, the 1.5-litre diesel engine pulls well and is not at all intrusive in the cabin. A redline of 4,500rpm means that you do have to row through the gears fairly often, but if that is not for you then there is an automatic version to assist. A soft ride hides admirable handling characteristics, and plenty of front-end grip whilst the back end follows you around. Moreover, a lack of weight in the rear does lead to the back wheels lifting the ground ever so slightly over aggressive speed bumps.

  Being turbocharged, the Citan does feel ‘quick’. With 95bhp to make do with, the more impressive torque figure of 260nm is what you really notice. The power unit is responsive and under-stressed which is a nice accompaniment to a commercial vehicle. This engine is extremely economical, and there is even an electric version coming later this year! Its petit dimensions complement the driving style, again making you forget that you are in a van and not a car.

Aimed at the fleet market, it would be great to see more Citans on the road. If you are not after a Berlingo or a Transit, look no further! Ownership benefits include a three-year unlimited mileage warranty and complimentary 24-hour roadside assistance. Like their passenger vehicles, you also get ‘Mercedes Me’, a mobile app that connects to the vehicle to provide you with plenty of diagnostic data, and allows for locking and unlocking the van, plus remote software updates.


The George Loveridge Verdict

Personally, I really enjoyed pottering about in the Citan. Accruing 400 miles over a week, this van is ideal for short trips and will also look after you for longer journeys. With a comfortable and spacious cabin, interior refinement is well thought out. Being able to load from rear double doors or a long side door, the load bed is easily accessible and features hooks to secure heavy loads. Annoyingly, at 70mph in sixth gear, the engine is right in the middle of its peak torque and turbo range, therefore it is awfully like an excited puppy when you propose a walk, always ready to go. I love a manual gearbox, but with a high biting point and short gear ratios, I can see how that gearbox would get tiring. If I were to have one though, I would happily use it every day.

Price as tested: £23,285
Lead in price: £21,310
Average fuel consumption: 54mpg
Range (fuel): 559 miles
Engine size: 1.5 litres
0-60:  14.7 seconds

Performance 7
Handling 8
Transmission 6
Noise 8
Economy 10
Ride and Comfort 8
Accommodation 8
Styling 5
Brakes 8
Finish 7

TOTAL = 67%

With Lotus just about to celebrate its 75th anniversary (the 70th seems a long time back) and shortly the opening of a London showroom in Piccadilly, opposite The Ritz, sometime  BTN  contributor and Lotus enthusiast Max Kingsley-Jones has taken delivery of an Emira.  He’s clearly delighted with it but has only done 150 miles.  His full report will follow.

And if you are a GP enthusiast Silverstone will host the 2023 event on Sunday 9 July, the circuit the home of the first Formula One Grand Prix championship race in May 1950. It was won by Giuseppe “Nino” Farina in an Alfa Romeo in front of King George VI, a keen motorist. Lotus has taken the British Grand Prix nine times. 1962 Jim Clark – Aintree, 1963 Jim Clark – Silverstone, 1964 Jim Clark – Brands Hatch, 1965 Jim Clark – Silverstone, 1967 Jim Clark – Silverstone, 1968 Jo Siffert – Brands Hatch, 1970 Jochen Rindt – Silverstone, 1972 Emerson Fittipaldi – Brands Hatch.

www.classicteamlotus.co.uk

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