Saturday 21 May 2016

Citan gets six-speed dual-clutch automatic

Feeling pressure from competitors such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz Vans has introduced dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) versions of Citan.

 From next month, selected Citan 112 variants will be available to order with the new 6G-DCT automatic transmission.
Citan panel van and Tourer models with the 112 petrol engine can benefit from the double clutch transmission, which combines the comfort of a six-speed automatic transmission with the driving dynamics of a manual gearbox in a compact and light-weight design.
The six-speed dual-clutch transmission consists of two sub-transmissions, each with its own clutch. As one transmits drive to the wheels, the other has pre-selected the next gear. This allows for near seamless gear changes without loss of tractive power, high levels of driving comfort and convenience.
Citan, known inside Mercedes-Benz as the W415, is the  result of the partnership between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance and is assembled by Renault subsidiary MCA in the northern French town of Maubeuge, alongside its sister vehicle the Renault Kangoo. Daimler had a van agreement with Volkswagen AG, but that has ended as both OEMs build their own versions.
Mercedes-Benz Vans claims DCT is unique in the Mercedes-Benz range to the Citan Van and Tourer model line.
A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said “The DCT is made by our development partner Renault. I dont believe any other manufacturer is using this transmission in the UK.”
The spokesperson added: “The DCT gearbox is unique to Citan within our van range. Our 7G-Tronic gearbox (used in Vito and Sprinter) is too large to be packaged for a front-wheel drive vehicle.”


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