Tag Archives: Citroen

Citroën Confirms Relay Chassis Cab and Luton Models for 2012

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Citroen Relay 35 Euro 5 model

2012 Euro 5 Citroen Relay

All three of the new models use Citroën’s new Euro 5 HDi 150 diesel engine, supplementing the existing choice of HDi 110 and HDi 130 engines:

  • Relay 35 Heavy L3 HDi 150 6-speed manual Chassis Cab
  • Relay 35 Heavy L4 HDi 150 6-speed manual Chassis Cab
  • Relay 35 Heavy L4 HDi 150 6-speed manual Luton van

These latest additions mean that the Citroën Relay range now includes the following models, which are available with a choice of up to four Euro 5 engines: HDi 110, HDi 130, HDi 150 and the HDi 180:

  • Panel vans (8.0 – 17.0cu.m load volume & 3.0 – 4.05 tonne gvw)
  • 3.5 tonne gvw chassis cabs, with a choice of  in three wheelbase lengths
  • 3.5 tonne gvw chassis crew cabs
  • 3.5 tonne gvw back to back cabs
  • 3.5 tonne gvw Relay Specialist Luton vans
  • 3.5 tonne gvw Relay Specialist dropsides
  • 3.5 tonne gvw Relay Specialist tippers
  • Ready to Run minibuses, glass carriers, temperature controlled vans, tippers, dropsides and lutons

Scott Michael, Citroën’s Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager comments:

“The recently introduced Euro 5 150 engine provides a useful power and torque boost over the already impressive HDi 130 engine for those operators requiring additional performance. By now having Relay chassis cabs powered by the HDi 150 engine, we can offer an optimum combination of performance and economy for those customers wanting vehicles fitted with special bodywork.”

The Relay model range certainly seems to cover all the bases and should provide a suitable option for most operators’ requirements.

You will be able to see all of Citroën’s updated van models at the Birmingham NEC CV Show 2012

Do you operate Citroën vans? If so, leave us a comment below with your thoughts on them.

Citroën Updates Trafficmaster Navigation & Telematics For All LCVs

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Citroën has updated the navigation and telematics system which is fitted as standard to all new Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay vans.

Citroen Relay 35 Euro 5 model

Citroën Relay van

Following news of Citroën’s updated 2012 van range, the company has announced improvements to the Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking package which is now fitted as standard to all Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay vans.

Enhanced Navigation

The navigation system has been improved with a new, larger 5-inch colour screen and the choice of 2D or 3D mapping throughout the UK and Europe (although European routing costs extra).

Other features include:

– A choice of mapping colours.
– Visuals of the route overlaid on the map, as well as next direction and distance displays.
– Auto-zoom function, plus additional pan and zoom facility.

The service also comes with three years’ worth of subscriptions to the data services necessary to use the Trafficmaster system:

– 3 years of dynamic navigation.
– 3 years of stolen vehicle tracking.
– 3 years of automatically downloaded traffic information for congestion avoidance.
– 3 months of ‘Safe Speed’ safety camera alerts.
– 10 free calls to Trafficmaster’s Personal Assistance service.

Messaging Service

When used in conjunction with Trafficmaster’s optional fleet management tool, Fleet Director, the colour screen allows two-way messaging, providing the fleet operator with clear and safe communication to all vehicles on the fleet.

This subscription service is unlikely to be of interest to van hire companies but will certainly become more widespread amongst van operators – as it already is in large corporate fleets.

Emergency Assistance – SOS

Citroën has also taken this opportunity to introduce an integrated Emergency Assistance service. By pressing the SOS icon on the screen, driver’s can summon either breakdown or emergency assistance, depending on whether they choose the B-Call or E-call option.

All B-Calls go directly to The AA to ensure the fastest possible response. Other emergencies, such as accidents or driver medical problems, are handed directly by Trafficmaster via the E-Call facility. Trafficmaster then liaise with the emergency services. When the driver uses the E-Call function, the driver’s details and GPS location are transmitted simultaneously to Trafficmaster. This feature is soon to be replicated for the B-Call function to The AA.

What I didn’t realise is that European legislation will require all new vehicles to have this kind of functionality by 2015 – perhaps marking the beginning of the end of emergency telephone boxes on motorways.

Our children are going to grow up wondering how anyone ever used to survive before mobile phones…

Citroën Launches New Dispatch Crew Van

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Citroen Dispatch Crew Van 2012MY

The new Euro 5 2012 Citroen Dispatch Crew Van

Citroën has launched a new crew cab version of its Dispatch van to add to its refreshed 2012 van range. The new model boasts six crash-tested seats, a 125bhp Euro 5 engine with a 6-speed gearbox and – importantly – a 1,067kg payload.

This last point is important as Scott Michael, Citroën’s Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager explains:

“Duty of care considerations and rising fuel prices are among the key reasons why businesses are increasingly specifying crew vans. With its combination of 1,067kg payload, 6 seats and a large load compartment, the Dispatch Crew Van meets most operator needs in this growing LCV market sector.  Most importantly, as the Dispatch Crew Van has a payload of over 1,000kg, it is possible for VAT-registered business customers to reclaim the VAT paid on the vehicle.”

The new model is officially designated as the Euro 5 Dispatch HDi 125 6-speed manual L2H1 1200 Crew Van and costs £21,120. The newly launched Euro 5 HDi 125 engine provides the Dispatch Crew Van with a combined fuel economy figure of 41.5mpg (6.8l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 179g/km.

Seating arrangements in Citroen Dispatch Crew VanThe Dispatch Crew Van’s seating is configured in two rows of three, with the second row of seats incorporating an integral bulkhead which has been tested to ISO 27956 for load shifting protection.

The 3 person second row bench is designed and tested to comply with EU Whole Vehicle Approval safety standards also includes adjustable headrests and three-point inertia reel seat belts.

The load area has a length of 1.7m, although a recess under the second row of seats allows objects up to 2.11m long to be carried. Payload is 1,067kg and the van’s GVW is 2,880kg. The Dispatch Crew Van is well specified and includes Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation, Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking, electric front windows, remote central locking, trip computer, RDS radio and CD player.

It’s a pity that Citroën has not seen fit to specify either air-conditioning or opening rear windows are standard; both are extra options that would be very handy when transporting six sweaty blokes on a hot summer’s day…

Peugeot & Citroen Update Van Ranges for 2012

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Peugeot and Citroëns’ core van ranges are the same, with each model rebadged and sometimes given a different engine. This is perfectly logical – both Peugeot and Citroën are part of PSA, Europe’s second-largest vehicle maker (after VAG – Volkswagen Audi Group). Peugeot also offers the car-derived 207 van, but this is being discontinued shortly.

Given this closeness, it is no surprise that both manufacturers have announced 2012 updates to some of their van models on the same day.

Peugeot: Updates Partner and Expert Vans for 2012

Peugeot Partner van 2012 model update

The Partner is also available in a crew cab model, with a second row of seats

The Peugeot Partner and Expert are both popular models with small businesses and tradesmen, offering useful capacity combined with compact dimensions and car-like driveability.

Both models are being updated for 2012 with a subtle front-end facelift, but the most significant changes are under the bonnet. The Partner now gets Euro 5 engines and e-HDi, Peugeot’s Stop & Start system.

The lowest emission Partner model now has CO2 emissions of just 123g/km, which Peugeot claims is the best in its class.

The larger Peugeot Expert is also getting an updated Euro 5 engine range with CO2 emissions for van models now starting at 168g/km and the range-topping 165bhp 2.0HDi engine now offering buyers the chance to specify Peugeot’s six speed automatic gearbox.

Citroën: 2012 Updates to Berlingo and Dispatch Models

Citroen Dispatch 2012 model update

Citroen Dispatch

Citroën has confirmed that its venerable but much-loved Berlingo First van (based on the first generation Berlingo) has now been withdrawn from the UK market.

The original Berlingo went on sale in 1996 and has sold 140,000 units in the UK alone. Its combination of compact practicality and reliability has won it a lot of fans over the years, but I suspect it diverts sales from Citroën’s current Nemo and Berlingo models – and its Euro 4 engines have had their day.

The current Berlingo launched in 2008 and has received a package of updates for 2012. Like its sibling the Peugeot Partner, it has an updated front end with lights, grill and bumper all getting freshened up.

Inside, the upholstery has been replaced with Citroën’s new ‘Gazyban’ (grey) trim. The Extenso, folding 2-person passenger seat remains standard fitment on LX and Enterprise models – this does give the vehicle useful flexibility, even if you would not want to travel too far with two passengers.

Under the bonnet, the changes are as you would expect. Euro 5 engines with reduced CO2 emissions and the option of Citroën’s Airdream regenerative stop-start system, which I mentioned recently. CO2 emissions now start from 123g/km for the range-topping HDi 90 Airdream model with optional automated six-speed gearbox. Operators choosing the basic HDi 75 model will have to be content with a manual gearbox and slightly higher CO2 emissions of 133g/km.

A petrol model continues to be available; in this case the VTi 95, which comes with a manual gearbox and 164g/km of CO2 emissions. I am a big fan of maintaining the option of petrol engines in small vans, but it does seem to be a dying trend.

The larger Citroën Dispatch is the sibling to the Peugeot Expert and offers a driving position and level of comfort that is not far off that of a large people carrier, combined with a choice of two load lengths and two roof heights, that provide up to 7m³ of loadspace.

For 2012, the Dispatch gets updated front lights, bumper and grill and additional aerodynamic panels under the body, which are aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. These are down from 182g/km  to 177g/km for the HDi 90 and from 179g/km to 168g/km for the HDi 125 with six-speed manual gearbox. Citroën’s Grip Control traction control system is available for the first time on a van, as well as the option of hill-start assist and a speed limiter.

When Are They All On Sale?

All of the models mentioned in this article are due to go on sale from the beginning of April 2012 – further specification details and pricing will be confirmed by Peugeot and Citroën nearer the time.

Citroen Berlingo Wins ITM ‘Best LCV 2012’ Award

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Citroen Berlingo 2012 modelThe Citroen Berlingo has won the Institute of Transport Management’s ‘Best LCV [Light Commercial Vehicle] 2012’ award.

The ITM’s criteria for the award said that the winner had to “embody perennially important qualities such as reliability, cost-effectiveness and durability.”

The ITM judges were particularly impressed by the Berlingo’s environmental credentials:

“Businesses are looking for LCVs that are lighter, with lower emissions and better fuel efficiency, qualities that the Citroën Berlingo range has in spades.  In particular, the Citroën Berlingo e-HDI Airdream* models are equipped with e-HDi micro-hybrid Stop & Start technology.”

In addition, they also noted that the Berlingo “has all the equipment and space of a light commercial van” but “drives like a car”. It is the latest in a series of awards for the current Berlingo model, which has now been updated to include a range of Euro 5 engines and is also available as a chassis cab with Citroen’s Ready To Run body conversions.

The Citroen Berlingo is a popular choice with van rental companies in the small van category and has also been very successful with fleets.

*Citroen’s Airdream system is a combined regenerative power and start-stop system that is available on selected van models. Berlingo Airdream vans have Stop & Start with an advanced micro-hybrid starter/generator to restart the engine quickly and smoothly and incorporate regenerative braking to recover and store energy that would otherwise be lost.

Banish Overloading Worries With Berlingo First 750

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Overloading of small vans is a perennial problem – the temptation to fit in everything possible regardless of weight is sometimes too strong, especially for vans used on local work.

Perhaps it is in response to this problem that Citroen has launched an updated version of its Berlingo First van ( the First is basically the old model Berlingo). The Berlingo First previously had a reasonable small van payload of 600kg. This has now been upgraded to 749kg, with the new van designated as the Berlingo First 750.

The Berlingo First 750 has uprated suspension to cope with the extra weight and also now comes with an underbody protection plate – perhaps because it is likely to be popular with builders and get bounced around building sites.

The increased payload takes the van’s maximum gross weight up to 1,955kg, and its towing capacity has also increased to 1,070kg. Powered by a Citroen’s popular 1.6HDi diesel engine, this makes a pretty flexible and capable package and is likely to be popular.

Mitsubishi i Miev To Be Sold Under PSA Brands In Europe

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A little while ago, I mentioned the possibility of the Mitsubishi i Miev electric car coming to the UK in electric van format – providing a very small van ideal for urban use.

This outcome seems a little more likely now, as news has emerged that Mitsubishi will be entering into a licensing deal with PSA to sell the i Miev under its Peugeot and Citroen brands.

Given PSA’s expertise with small vans, it would be unsurprising if it produced a van version of the i Miev that would sit neatly below the Peugeot Bipper/Citroen Nemo small van that they introduced this year.

Mitsubishi would benefit from PSA’s much greater presence in the European market – so everybody would win. Watch this space…

When is a Van Not a Van?

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When it’s a Citroen C-Crosser Enterprise, to give you the marketing answer.

Citroen’s C-Crosser SUV has been out for a year or so now and Citroen have just released a novel variation on this ‘soft roader’ model.

Instead of having a rear seat and a boot, the whole of the rear has been converted to a van – complete with panelled out windows.

Except…

On the outside, the windows remain – in limo tint privacy glass.

So it looks like a car – it still has rear passenger doors – and it drives like a car, but it’s actually a capable small van with a 734kg payload, a 2.3 cubic metre load compartment and part-time 4WD.

So if your neighbours turn their noses up at your white van and demand something a little more respectable – or you fancy giving yourself a treat and becoming more anonymous, get yourself down to your local Citroen dealer and ask for a C-Crosser Enterprise.

Prices start at £16,995 +VAT (it is a van, after all) and this van version of the C-Crosser is powered by a frugal 2.2HDi diesel engine that returns almost 48mpg. What’s not to like?

Citroen Nemo vs. Peugeot Bipper (+New Partner & Berlingo)

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It’s all change on the small van front this summer. Peugeot and Citroen are going head to head with two major new models, the Berlingo/Partner and the Nemo/Bipper.

I list them like that because they are of course competing against each other with the same vehicles – all Peugeot and Citroen vans (and most Fiats) are the product of PSA, so the only difference is badging and sometimes engine options.

Needless to say, the new Berlingo-Partner is bigger than the vehicle it replaces – although the current model will continue to be sold as the Berlingo First and Partner Origin. It’s still a great no-frills, economical van and will no doubt continue to sell well, especially in these increasingly budget-concious times.

The Bipper – Nemo is a smaller van, fitting between a hatchback like the 207 Van and the Berlingo. Here’s a picture of a Peugeot Bipper:

Peugeot Bipper van

It will have an impressive payload of 610kg, 2.5 cubic metres of load space and a neat overall length of just 3.86m. All of these features no doubt contributed to it winning the 2008 Fleet World ‘Best New Van’ Award and it should be a success, as should its Citroen-badged twin brother, the Citroen Nemo (see the similarities?):

Citroen Nemo van

For more details on all of these new models, see the excellent round up on the Fleet News site.

Introducing The All-New Citroen Berlingo

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This week’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC will see the launch of one of the most keenly-anticipated new vans for some time. The all-new Citroen Berlingo is expected to continue to dominate the hi-cube small van sector that Peugeot/Citroen pretty-much invented with the original Berlingo (also sold as the Peugeot Partner).

The new Berlingo offers increased payloads (up to 650/850kg from 600/800kg) and a slightly larger loadspace, as well as improved creature comforts, a host of optional extras and improved ride and lower noise. There is also a third (middle) seat in the cab area – although even Citroen describe it as being ‘for occasional use’, it’s the first time a van of this size has had three seats of any kind and is bound to come in handy once in a while.

The new Berlingo will also be available with several features designed to help fleet managers improve efficiency and cut costs. The new Citroen Active Fleet Data Service will monitor indicators such as fuel consumption, mileage, oil levels and service intervals, allowing all of this data to be centrally managed and hopefully resulting in lower fleet management costs and reduced vehicle downtime.

The New Berlingo goes on sale in May 2008 and will be on display with Citroen’s other new light commercial models (the Nemo, Jumpy and Jumper) at this week’s Commercial Vehicle Show.

Despite the introduction of the New Berlingo, Citroen will continue to make and sell the current (old) model, badged as the Berlingo First (it was going to be Berlingo Origin, but this seems to have changed).

Berlingo First models will continue to be available for an as yet unspecified length of time – but their popularity and practicality means there might be strong demand for them for some time yet.