The all-new Mercedes-Benz Citan was only revealed in full two days ago, now at the 2021 Caravan Salon Dusseldorf, Mercedes is already showing off a campervan conversion.
This new Citan micro campervan – as Mercedes refers to it – has been developed with specialists VanEssa Mobilcamping, and would rival the recently introduced Volkswagen Caddy California, should it be put into production.
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What features does the Mercedes Citan micro camper have?
Like the Caddy California, the Citan campervan is based on the passenger version of the van – in this case the Mercedes Citan Tourer – and can still carry up to five people in day-to-day driving.
When you arrive at the campsite, a bed extends over the rear seats from the boot area, suitable for sleeping two people. This sleeping space, which includes a ‘high quality’ mattress but no kind of sprung base as far as we can tell, is 115cm by 189cm. That’s wider but shorter than the 107x198cm equivalent in the Caddy Cali.
As with the Volkswagen, the Mercedes is kitted out with a mini kitchenette, which slides out in stages from the drawers arrayed in what used to be the boot.
>> The Parkers guide to factory-supported campervans
What’s included in the Citan campervan’s kitchen?
Quite a bit. There’s an integrated gas stove in one drawer, a sink – served by a 13-litre water supply – in another drawer, storage for cutlery and crockery and a 31-litre compressor fridge.
This goes a bit further than the Caddy California, which only includes the storage, a gas stove and a food prep surface, with a 12v socket available to run a cool box.
However, the Citan hasn’t been shown with any kind of awning – so the only protection from the weather when cooking will be the tailgate – and the drawers don’t leave any regular boot space. So there’s nowhere to put anything during ordinary journeys with five passengers, and your camping luggage will have to go on the back seats when it’s just the two of you.
Volkswagen’s tent attachment for the Caddy California also creates sleeping room for two more people. There’s no sign of a similar specific accessory for the Citan just yet.
How much does the Citan micro campervan cost and when does it go on sale?
At this stage it seems to only be a proof of concept exercise between Mercedes and VanEssa Mobilcamping, so we’re yet to see any pricing of any kind.
Experience also suggests that the Citan micro camper is unlikely to grace the official Mercedes Vans UK pricelists – so if you’re interested, you would probably be best to approach VanEssa directly.
The VW Caddy California is officially on sale in the UK as of autumn 2021, when it can be ordered from any Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership. Prices are set to start at £29,965.
Also read:
>> All-new Mercedes Citan – full details
>> VW Caddy California UK pricing and specification
>> VW Caddy California first drive review
