Vath Tunes Up Mercedes-Benz’s Citan

The badge-engineered Mercedes Benz Citan might not be on every tuner’s A list, but that’s what makes this Vath-modified variant special.

A result of the partnership between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the Citan is aimed at both the passenger and light commercial vehicle markets, coming in three different body styles: Panel Van, Dualiner and Traveliner. The latter is dedicated for non-commercial use, and Vath chose it for an individual treatment, adding a lot of flair to the people carrier.

The exterior upgrades aren’t comprehensive, but they definitely change the vehicle’s character, taking it a bit further from its humble origins. While the polished stainless-steel pipes and sheets serve as running boards, Vath also offers matching load sill protector, made from high-polished stainless steel, as well as chrome grille bars. Even the interior received a slight upgrade in the form of a floor mat set in deep black velour.

The sporty aspect is completed by the lowering kit and the monoblock 8,0 J x 18-inch rims (for both axels); upgrades that aid the Citan’s newly acquired power upgrade. Vath experts implanted the vehicle with an individual electronic optimization that expands its power to 135 PS (133 HP) and 320 ft-lb (433 Nm) of torque, accounting for a top speed of 165 km/h – okay, you won’t break any performance records, but it’s a significant improvement over the range topping 1.5 CDI’s 110 HP power output.