The Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle division in Ireland has extended its line-up of eVan dealers, bringing to five, the number of main dealers from its wider dealer network now exhibiting the all-electric eSprinter and eVito vans in their showrooms.
In addition to Cork Truck Services in Blarney Business Park and MUTEC on Dublin’s Naas Road, both eVan dealers since 2019, the three new outlets are Gilmores Kingscourt in Co. Cavan, Surehaul Limited in Clonmel and M50 Truck & Van Centre in North Dublin.
The timing of the announcement comes just as Mercedes-Benz unveiled its latest generation compact van Citan, which, alongside the first-time introduction of an all-new fully electric eCitan. The eCitan is firmly aimed at the small trades and urban delivery markets.
Available at market launch as both a panel van and a 5-seater Tourer variant (with long wheelbase and Mixto crew cab versions to follow), Citan is 4498 mm long with a gross vehicle weight of up to 2,250kgs. Towing capacity is up to 1.5 tonnes and drawbar load is 75 kg. Load capacity in the panel van is up to 2.9 m3 with a load compartment length of 3.05 metres, large enough to fit two Euro pallets.
The easy-to-access panel van can be equipped with up to two sliding side doors, giving an opening clearance of 615 mm wide by 1059 mm high. The rear loading sill is 59 cm high and rear doors can be blocked at a 90 degree angle or moved through 180 degrees to the sides of the vehicle.
In the Tourer model, rear bench seats can be folded down in the ratio of 1/3 or 2/3. A tailgate and rear window come as standard, with rear doors available as an option.
Whilst noting that Citan is expected to be available in Ireland in the latter half of 2022, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager, Fergus Conheady says: “The Citan and eCitan will appeal to the fleet, owner-operator and rental sectors in equal measure, thanks to their attractive styling and appearance, compact external dimensions, generous internal space and high load capacity.”
At market launch, power will come from 4-cylinder, 1.4-litre turbodiesel and 1.3 litre petrol engines, in three and two power ratings respectively. Diesel variants are the 75hp 108 CDI, 95hp 110CDI and 116hp 112CDI units, whilst the 102hp 110 and 131hp 113 account for the petrol models. All are Euro 6d compliant and feature ECO start/stop function. Alongside six-speed manual transmission, the most powerful diesel and petrol models are also available with seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Aimed at customers requiring a commercial vehicle for inner city courier and delivery use, the eCitan fully electric model variant extends the electrically powered light commercial vehicle portfolio at Mercedes-Benz, joining the eVito and eSprinter.
With a peak output of 75 kW/102hp and up to 245 Nm torque, its electric power unit has a useable battery capacity of 44 kWh, delivering a factory-quoted range of 285 kilometres. At rapid charging stations, the battery charges from 10 to 80 percent in about 40 minutes.
