Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the T-Class – an upmarket people-mover model of its Citan sub-2.5-tonne industrial van, which relies on the Renault Kangoo.
Initially provided as a five-seater, the T-Class – a pure rival to the family-friendly Volkswagen Caddy mannequin – can even be produced in seven-seater long-wheelbase and all-electric EQT guises.
The brand new T-Class is 4.5 metres lengthy, 1.8 metres vast, 1.8 metres tall and rides on a 2.7-metre wheelbase. Sliding doorways on each side of the automobile present openings that measure 614mm in width and 1059mm in top. Entry to the bags compartment is through a tailgate (with a regular heated display screen) – the peak of the loading sill is simply 561mm and the rear bench can fold right down to create a nearly flat loading space.
Alternatively, the T-Class could be specified with barn-style rear doorways, of which each could be locked within the 90‑diploma place or pivoted to the Benz’s sides at as much as 180 levels.
To endow its newcomer with extra kerb attraction than what’s often related to a industrial vehicle-based passenger automotive, the T‑Class includes a chrome-plated grille and body-coloured outdoors mirror housings, door handles and entrance bumper.
LED Excessive Efficiency headlamps are fitted to the Progressive Line (out there on the Type Line) and whereas 16-inch light-alloy wheels are normal. 17-inch wheels could also be specified.
In the meantime, the T-Class’ well completed cabin options varied parts from the Mercedes-Benz compact vary, reminiscent of a multifunction steering wheel, aircon, Keyless Begin, a 5.5-inch color driver-info show, height-adjustable driver’s seat, enclosed glove compartment, a baggage compartment cowl, pockets on the front-seat backrests and LED inside lighting (ambient LED lighting with as much as eight colors can also be out there).
The centre armrest is roofed in black man-made leather-based as normal. For the door armrests and door centre panels, the T-Class has adopted the modern finely structured Neotex, which mixes the looks of nubuck leather-based with high-tech neoprene, from the Mercedes EQ all-electric fashions.
All variants have a high-gloss black trim factor within the instrument panel and the door sills have Mercedes-Benz lettering.
The T-Class is provided as normal with a 7.0-inch MBUX touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Automobile Play and Android Auto, in addition to digital radio (DAB and DAB+).
With the elective Navigation Bundle specified, it contains the “Hey Mercedes” Voice Assistant.
Quite a few driving help techniques come as normal on the T-Class, together with a tyre- strain loss warning system and the Mercedes-Benz emergency name system. These embody hill-start help, crosswind help, Consideration Help, Lively Brake Help with cross-traffic perform, Lively Lane Protecting Help, Blind Spot Help and Velocity Restrict Help.
Elective techniques embody the Driving Help Bundle (with Lively Distance Help Distronic and Lively Steering Help 2), Lively Parking Help (with Parktronic and reversing digital camera) and at last, if the elective trailer coupling is specified, Trailer Stability Help.
A complete of seven airbags are normal within the T-Class, whereas iSize normal child-seat fixings with ISOFIX anchorages and prime tether are fitted on the outer rear seats, in addition to on the entrance passenger seat. To accommodate a fourth youngster, a booster seat could be put in on the centre seat of the rear bench seat. The sliding doorways and the elective energy home windows within the rear compartment are outfitted with youngster security locks.
By way of powertrains, Mercedes-Benz affords a pair of 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine choices: the T160d has 70kW and 260Nm and the T180d 85kW and 270Nm, in addition to a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol unit, which produces 75kW and 200Nm within the T160 and 96kW and 240Nm within the T180. All engines are mixed with an idle-stop perform.
Alongside the six-speed guide gearbox, the 2 diesels and the extra highly effective of the 2 petrol variants are additionally out there with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Lastly, seeing because the T-Class platform has been designed to utilise each combustion engines and battery-electric drive, we are able to stay up for the all-electric EQT, which will probably be based mostly on the Idea EQT (unveiled final 12 months).
Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia plans to introduce the eVito Panel Van, eVito Tourer and EQV people-mover throughout the second half of 2022 and the model says the upcoming EQT (nonetheless underneath growth) will full the electrical van line-up and allow the Three-pointed Star to supply each enterprise and personal prospects another electrical model in all its van classes.
Nevertheless, the T-Class (and Citan) will not be confirmed for native introduction. The fashions are reportedly into account for Australia, however no determination has been made.
