The new Mercedes-Benz micro camper may be small, but that doesn’t make it any less mighty. At just shy of 15 feet, it’s full to the brim with all kinds of high-end features to make your off-road trips a little more luxurious. The mini motor home is actually a riff on the marque’s next-generation Citan Tourer that debuted just two days ago. A prototype of the new design will premiere at the 2021 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany on 28 August, but Mercedes has just given the world a sneak preview.
The whole concept is geared around flexibility. The Citan works with two innovative “furniture modules” that were created in partnership with the camper experts at VanEssa. The modules can be easily installed or removed to turn the everyday van into a micro camper in no time at all. Think of it as the Transformer of minivans.
The first module is a kitchenette that tips the scales at 132 pounds and can be fitted to the rear of the van in just a few minutes. Like a small household kitchen, it’s loaded with all the requisite cooking gear and equipment, including a built-in gas cooktop, a sink with a 3.4-gallon (about 13 litres) water tank and a fridge. It can also hold crockery, glassware, pots, pans and pantry supplies. Mercedes says you can also customise the kitchenette in a range of colours to spice things up.
The second module turns the back of the van into a makeshift bedroom. Spanning 3.8 feet by 6.2 feet, it sports a high-quality mattress that is large enough for two people. When not in use, the sleeping module can be stored in the boot right above the kitchenette module. This means you can still use the van’s rear seats.
Naturally, the 2022 Citan Tourer has the latest MBUX infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, along with a semi-autonomous driving system that offers blind-spot warning, active lane keep and more. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.3-litre gasoline engine, though a fully electric eCitan is also in the works.
“The travel and leisure vehicle market is increasingly important for us as part of our strategic orientation. This also applies to the brand new generation of our Citan, which is an ideal basic vehicle for micro camper van conversions,” Klaus Rehkugler, head of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz Vans, said in a statement. “That is why we chose the Caravan Salon for its first trade fair appearance. Together with VanEssa we demonstrate just what camper qualities it has.”
The new Citan Tourer is due to roll out in 2022.
Previously published on Robb Report.
