Mercedes-Benz has revealed the first press pictures of its Citan small van, which will be unveiled to the public at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover in October.

Mercedes announced the Citan in February but this is the first time that photos have been made available, rather than an artist’s impression.

The new Mercedes-Benz Citan small van

The van is targeted at the urban market and Mercedes describes it as a ‘professional urban delivery van’. It is, in fact, based on the Renault Kangoo and will be built in the same French factory, but Mercedes is going to some lengths to reassure customers that will have all the qualities one expects from a Merc, including a plethora of safety systems:

Inside the Citan

The urban van comes with the Electronic Stability Program ADAPTIVE ESP^® as standard, which takes the vehicle load into consideration.

This innovative dynamic handling control system in the new Citan combines the functions of the anti-locking braking system ABS^®, VDC^® (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which counters over- and understeer, and TCS^® (Traction Control System). It also includes ASR^® (Acceleration Skid Control) and drive and braking torque control.

The Citan will be available in three lengths and with three engine options: 75bhp and 110bhp diesels and a 115bhp supercharged petrol engine, which should be fun!

Unlike other Mercedes commercial vehicles, it will be front-wheel drive and will be the smallest van the German giant has produced for a very long time (ever?).

The Citan will go on sale in the UK in January 2013.