Europe gets to see a very different side of the Mercedes-Benz brand – one that’s decidedly more commercial than what we’re used to. Since 2012, the brand has been selling the Citan, a small commercial van based on the Renault Kangoo that is only Benz in its name and skin.
Now though, Mercedes-Benz Vans is looking to up its game in this department with a more lifestyle-focused product called the T-Class.
The Citan will continue to be built with that same focus on commercial needs, but the T-Class will take other elements up a notch to work better in the lifestyle segment. They’ll still be using a Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi platform for this, likely the upcoming 3rd generation Kangoo. Unlike the Citan, the T-Class will have clearer evidence of Benz DNA in the following aspects:
- design
- value
- safety
- connectivity
We expect that translates to Sensual Purity, higher prices, active safety and MBUX in a small passenger van aimed at the general car buying public.
The new T-Class will go on sale in the first half of 2022 with petrol and all-electric variants anticipated. Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Mercedes-Benz Vans is provider of vehicles in the small-, mid- and large-size van segments, fulfilling all customer requirements for a spacious space. Now, a small van platform will be used to create a new vehicle which is tailored to the needs of families whilst also being a suitable companion for active leisure enthusiasts. Like the V-Class, which is successfully positioned in the midsize segment, Mercedes-Benz Vans will also be offering a small van for private customers from the first half of 2022. The class designation of this new model is “T-Class.”
Clear membership of the Mercedes-Benz family
As a completely new development, the T-Class will be clearly discernible at first glance as a member of the Mercedes-Benz family and will feature unmistakeably typical characteristics of the brand with the three-pointed star. Especially in terms of design, value, safety and connectivity, the new vehicle will bear the DNA of Mercedes-Benz.
New class, new concept
The private-customer market is the focus of the completely newly developed Mercedes-Benz T-Class. The T-Class will meet the needs of families and leisure-oriented people at an attractive price-value ratio. The letter T stands for efficient room concepts and is thus perfectly suited as a model designation for compact family vans bearing the three-pointed star.
The new Mercedes-Benz T-Class offers a large amount of space and is suited to a range of different uses, including passenger transportation as a reference within sharing services – all while not compromising on comfort. The wide-opening sliding doors on both the left and right-hand sides of the vehicle as an example allow easy and comfortable access to the interior. Alongside conventional drive systems, there will be also a fully electric version.
Mercedes-Benz Vans in the small van segment
In the small van segment, Mercedes-Benz Vans has been represented by the commercially positioned Citan since 2012. In August last year, the Vans division announced a successor to the compact urban delivery van, together with a fully-electric variant. Based on this small van platform, two vehicles will be created: while the Mercedes-Benz Citan is a no-compromise vehicle tailored to the requirements of commercial customers, the Mercedes-Benz T-Class is primarily focused towards private customers.
The T-Class and the Citan will be established in cooperation with Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.
