Mercedes-Benz is targeting athletic types and families with its latest T-Class small van, which will start from 30,000 euro (A$44,560) in its home market.
Head of Mercedes‑Benz Vans Mathias Geisen says that “with the new T-Class, we are extending our portfolio with a true premium small van that combines roominess and functionality with style and comfort like no other vehicle in this segment”.
Measuring 4498mm long, 1859mm wide and 1811mm tall, the five-seat T-Class appears to be unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz product – despite sharing much of its architecture, underpinnings and engines with the new-generation Renault Kangoo – and will be offered in a long-wheelbase variant with seven seats set in the future.
The T-Class can be fitted out in many different ways to suit buyer’s lifestyles
At launch, the Mercedes-Benz T-Class will offer the choice of two four-cylinder turbocharged engines – one petrol and one diesel. The 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine (sourced from Renault) produces 85kW of power and 270Nm of torque, and also features an ‘overboost’ function that pushes outputs to 89kW/295Nm for brief periods
The 1.3-litre petrol engines range from 75kW to 96kW, depending on whether the T160 or T180 variant is chosen.
What sort of equipment is offered with the T-Class?
Turbocharged petrol and diesel models are available for the T-Class
The T-Class offers several key features such as an MBUX infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, a multi-function steering wheel, air conditioning, keyless start, a 5.5-inch colour instrument cluster, a height adjustable driver’s seat, LED interior lighting and optional ambient lighting with up to eight colours.
Standard safety technology includes a tyre-pressure monitoring system, hill-start assist, crosswind assist, a fatigue warning system, active brake assist, active lane-keep assist, blind-spot assist and speed-limit assist. A total of seven airbags are standard on the T-Class.
Optional safety equipment includes active steering and distance assist, active parking assist and a reversing camera.
Underneath the T-Class’s skin is the third-generation Renault Kangoo
The T-Class’s origins and a new electric model
The T-Class debuted in 2012 as Mercedes-Benz’s version of the Renault Kangoo, and was manufactured until 2021 in W415 guise.
The T-Class is also known as the Citan in some markets and, for the newest version, is based on the third-generation Renault Kangoo that debuted in early 2021.
Mercedes-Benz has said that from 2025, all vehicle architectures will be exclusively electric. As part of this plan, the T-Class will transition into the EQT, which is currently in development and will complete the Mercedes-Benz electric van line-up.
