A new product, made under the leadership of two giants in the auto industry is getting ready to be unveiled at the 2012 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover this year September. But ahead of the show, Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new Renault Kangoo-based Citan delivery van — the first project to come out of the strategic partnership between Mercedes-Benz’s parent company Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The partnership was formed in 2010 and the brand new delivery van is manufactured at the factory owned by Renault in Maubeuge, France. This is also the plant where Renault assembles its Kangoo. The teaser images released by the company shows the production version Citan is much less Mercedes and far more Renault.

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Citan has a similar front end to its latest A-Class, which features a modified hood and bumper designs. Moving to its interior, it is unique and houses two deeply set instrument gauges and SLK-like round air vents. The curve-hugging shape of the backrest in particular offers good side support and this enhances console and safety. A front wheel drive vehicle — the Citan has been made in three various lengths such as compact at 3.94 m (155.1-inches), Long at 4.32 m (170-inches) and Extra-Long at 4.71 m (185.4-inches). As the new Citan is versatile and adaptable, it fulfils a broad range of commercial applications needed for the consumers.

Apart from these, a five-seater Citan Mixto vehicle with folding rear seat bench, wire mesh partition separating the load compartment, and two sliding doors completes the line-up of the forthcoming models. The engine specification choices include three turbocharged diesels with direct-injection and a standard particulate filter with outputs ranging from 74hp (75PS) to 109hp (110PS), and a supercharged petrol engine generating 113hp (114 PS). For the petrol model, there would be a BlueEfficiency package with start/stop function alongside battery and generator management. These facilities are optional on the diesel variants.

According to Mercedes, all Citans are set with an Adaptive Electronic Stability Program that takes the vehicle load into consideration, as standard. Before this year ends, the new Citan will reach European dealerships and the automaker said they have no plans to offer the compact van in the United States. Hope it will soon be introduced in U.S. too.

via Carscoop