Following the previous generation Berlingo’s stint here from 2003-09, Citroën assures us that the three new panel vans taking its place should have varied appeal. The new Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay have payloads ranging from 750-1850kg, while cargo space grows from 3.3 to 15 cubic metres.
Standard equipment across the range includes items such as aircon, power windows and doors that auto-lock as the vehicle gains speed. Ride comfort and loadability were also said to be strong considerations in the vans’ designs.
Apart from one petrol engine in the Berlingo, Citroën’s entire commercial van offering uses turbodiesel power to drive the front wheels.
BERLINGO
The new Berlingo is based on the C4 Picasso platform. Riding on a 2.73m wheelbase, two body lengths - 4,38m or 4,63m – the body allows two Euro pallets to be positioned one behind the other. The shorter version has a payload of 850kg, while the 750kg is specified for the longer version. Access to the load area is via side-hinged rear doors and one or two sliding side doors.
Both models can carry three people up front. The backrest to the centre seat folds forward to create a writing surface and the passenger seat can be folded completely to allow loads as long as 3.25m to be carried.
ABS and EBA are standard on the Berlingo, along with a driver’s airbag. A passenger airbag and manual aircon are optional.
The New Berlingo is offered with a choice of 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engines, each delivering 66kW and driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox operated via a dashboard-mounted shifter.
PLUS 8: The Dispatch comes with the option of a more luxurious eight-seater MPV.
The Dispatch slots in between the Berlingo and Relay, offering a load volume of six cubic metres, a payload capability of 1200kg and the ability to carry loads up to 2.6m long.
A novelty is the option of self-levelling rear air suspension which can be used to lower the vehicle to less than 1.9m for access to low-roofed areas.
Convenient items within the cabin include a lockable cubbyhole and overhead stowage.
As with the Berlingo, ABS, EBA and a driver’s airbag are standard.
An eight-seater passenger version of the Dispatch is also offered. It is more luxuriously appointed with auto headlights and wipers, reversing sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, USB and Bluetooth connections and aircon for the front and rear sections of the cabin. ESP and four airbags bolster the passenger model’s standard safety quotient.
The Dispatch, for both commercial and passenger applications, is fitted with a two-litre HDI turbodiesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
ROOM FOR MORE?: With a GVM of 4000kg and a payload of 1850kg, the Relay is a commercial horse-and-cart.
The Relay, available in three overall lengths with two wheelbases and two body heights, offers its owners the choice of load volumes ranging from 10 to 15 cubic metres. Access to the load area is easy by the low sill (53 to 56cm, depending on model) and rear swing doors that open to 180 degrees.
According to Citroën SA, the Relay is one of the few front-wheel drive panel vans rated at a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons; its GVM of up to 4000kg allows for a payload of 1850kg.
Convenient stowage spaces are dotted about the Relay’s cabin and it, too, has optional self-levelling suspension. ABS and EBD are standard.
Three diesel engines – 2.2 HDi 100 (74kW), 2.2 HDi 120 (88kW) and 3.0 HDi 160 (115 kW) are specified for the Relay. Each is mated to a manual transmission, a six-speed for the HDi 120 and HDi 160 and five-speed for the HDi 100.
PRICING, WARRANTY, SERVICE PLANS
Berlingo 1.6 90 L1 - R155 790
Berlingo HDI 90 L2 - R188 290
Three-years or 100 000km warranty and a four-year or 60 000km service plan.
Dispatch HDI 120 L2H1 Panel Van - R272 900
Dispatch HDi 140 L2H1 Passenger - R372 900 (incl CO² tax)
Three-year or 100 000km warranty and a five-year or 100 000km service plan.
Relay HDI 100 L2H1 Panel Van - R279 050
Relay HDi 120 L3H2 Panel Van - R306 400
Relay HDi 160 L4H2 Panel Van - R358 400
Three-year or 100 000km warranty and a five-year or 100 000km service plan.