“Over the past seven years I’ve done nothing else but drive all over the world. I’ve escaped gunslingers, prisons and time bombs. And all I’ve got to show for it are a few empty rolls of duct tape!” (MacGyver). We’ve watched him in countless reruns, seen him spoofed on tv and in movies, so it is no surprise that we are now seeing him in commercials. The master of resourcefulness is now back on screens, and with a good-looking new sidekick. In its recently launched advertising campaign, Mercedes-Benz has given MacGyver a reliable, can-do partner for his adventures in the form of the brand-new Citan. Though not currenlty activated, you will soon be able to visit www.macgyver-citan.com where you will find the advert for the campaign in addition to the trailer. Also to bve included is extensive behind-the-scenes material for the new webisodes, which will be available on the site beginning September 18.

The new Mercedes-Benz Citan, which is being unveiled to the public for the first time at the IAA International Commercial Vehicle Show in September 2012, is ideal for coping with the challenges of the city thanks to the wide choice of models available, the vehicle’s functionality and its high safety standards.

Mercedes-Benz Citan and MacGyver: problems are there to be solved

He’s needed again! MacGyver may have retired from life as a secret agent to go it alone as a handyman, but he cannot escape his past. In the action-packed advert and three brand-new MacGyver episodes, the hero of the 1980s and 1990s has once again found himself caught up in the struggle between good and evil. In time-honoured fashion, the maverick problem-solver uses quick thinking, dexterity and everyday items to overcome the challenges and adversaries that he faces. But now, alongside his ever-present Swiss army knife and duct tape, Richard Dean Anderson can also rely on the capable and trusty support of his vehicle. As he embarks on a fresh round of MacGyver adventures, he knows he can count on his newest partner – the compact, manoeuvrable and versatile Citan.

The new Citan, always there when you need it, presents the ideal solution for the challenges ahead: the narrowest of streets and tightest of corners are mastered with ease and MacGyver never runs out of space for his equipment – whether it’s a pocket knife or a Euro pallet. There’s even room inside for a spare roll of duct tape! The Citan copes supremely with adverse situations thanks to its robustness and low-maintenance running. And if a little bit more speed is required, the choice of engine series provides enough power to send the duo swiftly on their way.

High functionality and wide choice of models

There is a huge choice of models and customisation options for the Citan, making it highly adaptable for the day-to-day challenges of a secret agent’s life. It is available in three lengths, as a panel van, Mixto or crewbus, and can be fitted with a wide range of special equipment to suit individual needs. To help MacGyver stay one step ahead of his enemies, he can choose from three zippy diesel models producing between 55 and 81 kW and a supercharged petrol model with 84 kW. Sliding side doors and asymmetrical rear doors ensure speedy access to those all-important tools in dicey situations. The Citan also has numerous stowage compartments in the driver’s cab, enabling the most important things be kept at close hand.

Versatility and functionality mean the Citan excels in any terrain. Compact proportions and a dynamic chassis make this a nimble city van for urban driving that can cope with both busy stop-and-go traffic and narrow access lanes.

Exemplary safety standards, a high level of comfort and very economical

After a long career as a secret agent MacGyver has certain expectations of comfort and safety. The Citan comes equipped with firmly padded, luxury seats made from materials that are kind to the skin. All of which raises the driving comfort up a notch in combination with the pleasantly smooth ride. The Citan also meets the highest standards of safety. Good news for MacGyver, whose adventures have seen him exposed to hazardous situations on numerous occasions. The ADAPTIVE ESP® electronic stability programme, which continuously monitors the vehicle load status, is fitted as standard in every model.

MacGyver, in his new role as handyman, is also a businessman, of course. So he very much appreciates the Citan’s remarkably economical fuel consumption of just 4.3 l/100km and the long maintenance intervals of 40,000km/2 years. After all, the Citan never knows when the next challenge awaits and when it will be needed next!

The Citan will be launched on the market in fall 2012 and thanks to TheophilusChin and WorldCarFans, we have very credible renderings and the latest spy photos.

The Citan has come about thanks to the German, French and Japanese global car alliance between Daimler and Renault Nissan that was announced last year.  Mercedes-Benz is planing to introduce this model as their smallest commercial vehicle to be positioned below the Vito/Viano van.

Earlier this year, Mercedes showed us renderings of the new Citan, essentially a rebadged Renault Kangoo light commercial vehicle, as well as revealing its name at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen during a symposium on brand competence and city logistics.

The name Citan is a combination of the words “city” and “titan,” thus making it clear that the vehicle is a first-rate specialist for city logistics — one that was specifically developed to meet the tough challenges faced in day-to-day operations.. The Mercedes-Benz Citan is the little brother to the Vario (6.0 to 8.2 tons), Sprinter (3.0 to 5.0 tons) and Vito (2.77 to 3.2 tons) models.

The new urban delivery van will be offered as a panel van, a crewbus, a mixed-use vehicle, and will also be available in a variety of lengths and weights.

The latest Mercedes-Benz urban delivery van was previewed today and has been dubbed the Citan. The Citan name was revealed at the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen during a symposium on brand competence and city logistics. The name Citan is a combination of the words “city” and “titan,” thus making it clear that the vehicle is a first-rate specialist for city logistics — one that was specifically developed to meet the tough challenges faced in day-to-day operations.

New van series to boost sales

With the introduction of the new urban delivery vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is adding another production series to its family of vans. The Citan is supplementing the Vario (6.0 to 8.2 tons), Sprinter (3.0 to 5.0 tons), and Vito (2.77 to 3.2 tons) to broaden the range of products in the lower weight classes of the van market, where it will significantly boost sales.

Whereas the small vans segment was still a niche market in the mid-1990s, it has now grown to around 700,000 units in Europe. Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to gain a market share of four to five percent in this segment. Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, is convinced that the Citan will be a big success. “We will take advantage of the trend toward city vans, which our brand will be able to exploit thanks to its attractively priced vehicles and the high quality of our products and services,” says Mornhinweg. “Our typical Mercedes-Benz reliability, 24/7 service, and, last but not least, our great brand image are key selling points as far as our commercial customers are concerned.”

Due to its large number of variants, the new urban delivery van with the star is suited for a broad range of commercial applications. Not only will the Citan be offered as a panel van, a crewbus, and a mixed-use vehicle; it will also be available in a variety of lengths and weights.

The Citan will be launched on the market in fall 2012. The vehicle will be unveiled to the general public for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September.

The Citan — the ideal partner in city traffic

The Citan was developed and tested in line with Mercedes-Benz’ demanding quality standards. The vehicle is correspondingly durable and robust. At the same time, it meets the requirements of customers from the service, sales, and trade sectors, offering them a large cargo space despite the vehicle’s compact dimensions. In addition, the van boasts attributes typical of the brand, such as great quality, economy, safety, excellent handling, as well as high fuel efficiency and correspondingly low CO2 emissions. The drive concept encompasses a broad range of low-emission, fuel-efficient diesel and gasoline engines and includes a BlueEFFICIENCY package. An electric drive version is also being planned.

The Citan’s operation, interior, materials, and workmanship are of the same high quality as in other Mercedes-Benz vans. The new urban delivery van can therefore be justly called the “little brother” of the Sprinter and Vito, to which it is in no way inferior. As is the case with every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, safety plays a big role in the new van, all variants of which come with ESP as standard.

New markets for Mercedes-Benz vans

Mercedes-Benz has greatly expanded its vans business in recent years. In line with the slogan of “Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global,” the brand is not only manufacturing vans in Düsseldorf (Sprinters), Ludwigsfelde (Sprinters and Varios), and Vitoria, Spain (Vitos), but also in the U.S., Argentina, and China.

It is also planning to strengthen its presence in the Russian market through a partnership with GAZ, the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Russia. Over the medium-term, the GAZ factory near Nizhny Novgorod will produce 25,000 Sprinters each year, and do so strictly according to Mercedes-Benz’ quality standards.

Mercedes-Benz already is the undisputed market leader for mid-size and large vans in Western Europe.