Common base from years of collaboration bring reward
All-new Renault Kangoo Van and the new Mercedes-Benz Citan have won the International Van of the Year award (IVOTY) 2022, as voted by a jury of 24 European journalists
Innovations, not least for cargo accessibility, put the pair, which share the same base and have common characteristics, on the podium.
The outcome, announced at the Solutrans 2021 trade fair in Lyon, is the result of multi-year collaborative project between the French and German automotive companies with contributions being
“Upon appraising the new Kangoo and Citan, the jury heard about the multi-year collaborative project between the French and German automotive companies, with each brand bringing their own DNA and thereby unique features to the joint development program, resulting in two vehicles with distinct characteristics. Such as the ‘Open Sesame’ doors in the Renault Kangoo and the inclusion of the Mercedes-Benz infotainment system MBUX and other safety aids on the Citan,” the announcement read.
The door innovation, dubbed officially as Open Sesame by Renault, sees the B-pillar removed allowing for a large side door that spans 1.45m, said to be the largest side access on the market.
Inside is the ‘Easy Inside Rack’, a retractable interior rack to safely store long objects high up for better use of the main storage space.
Renault notes that best-in-class features with standard version boasting up to 3.9m3 of storage capacity, a maximum payload of 600kg that can be increased to 800kg as an optional extra, and a towing capacity of 1,500kg.
Connectivity is through the new Renault Easy Link multimedia system with an 8-inch display, smart smartphone docking station, 15W wireless charger, Renault hands-free key-card for easy and secure access, as well as two USB and two 12-volt sockets.
Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) includes Permanent Rear-View Assist, Active Emergency Braking, Trailer Swing Assist, and the Motorway and Trafic Companion that brings together Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Keeping Assist.
A range of efficient 1.3 TCe petrol and 1.5 Blue dCi diesel engines, available in 6-speed manual or 7-speed EDC automatic gearboxes, as well as two Ecoleader engines.