Special Offer detail

ROOFLESS RUNABOUT

Models Covered: 3/5dr MPV 1.4, 1.6 16v,1.8 petrol, 1.9, 2.0Hdi, 1.6HDi diesel

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

The Citroen 2CV was legendary for its design parameters. It had to be able to drive across a ploughed field, driven by a man with a hat on, whilst not breaking a basket of eggs. The Citroen Berlingo Multispace has found itself cast as the 2CV’s eventual successor. Whilst unlikely to find itself representing an icon of rural Gallic charm, the Berlingo has its plus points. In a mini-MPV sector where mere appliance of the word ‘lifestyle’ is a passport to manufacturers ramping up the prices, the Berlingo entered at the bottom and aimed to stay there. With its commercial vehicle basis, development costs were minimised. Along with its rival, the Renault Kangoo, the Berlingo Multispace inhabited a niche pioneered by miniature glazed Suzuki vans of the past. It may be relatively cheap, but a used Berlingo does cheerful very well.

Basic rugged transportation has always been a French forte. Citroens 2CV and Dyane, Renault 4 and Peugeot 104 all offered inexpensive motoring that could just as easily be repaired by the local blacksmith or plumber if anything went wrong. Things have changed, and although the Berlingo Multispace evokes the same appeal, its range of engines are modern injected units that wouldn’t respond well to a tap with a lump hammer. Nonetheless, it shares its spiritual forebear’s sense of tinny indestructibility. Introduced in June 1998, the Berlingo was initially available with the 1.4-litre petrol engine only. With a three-door body the only shape available, a 1.8-litre model followed in April 1999. The range was also added to in 1999 with the introduction of a diesel variant, the 1.9D. Berlingo model designations are as basic as the car itself, with models referred to by engine sizes only. The first key change to the Berlingo range came in May 1999 when a mild facelift was applied. This took the form of a new grille, bigger Citroen chevrons, painted door mirrors, two-tone bumpers and new badging. More interior components became colour keyed, and the options list grew to the tune of anti lock brakes, air conditioning, passenger airbag and split fold rear seats. New colours were also offered, as well as the famous 20 sq ft electric sunroof. In summer 2000, the Berlingo overcame its most notable deficiency; a decided shortfall in its quota of doors. Unlike Renault’s Kangoo, until 2000 the Berlingo Multispace was only available in three-door guise. The addition of a sliding side door now made access to the rear an easier proposition. A 1.6-litre 16v engine was also added to the range. The Berlingo underwent a mid-life facelift in late 2002, getting a far neater front end and some additional luxury accoutrements inside. In the Autumn of 2005, the aging 1.9D and 2.0HDi diesel engines were replaced by a pair of 1.6-litre HDi diesels with 75 and 92bhp. Some small styling changes were made at the same time.

This depends on how you define practicality. If the term encompasses multi-folding seat arrangements, witty design and the latest high-tech engines, the Berlingo falls some way short. If, on the other hand, practicality means wipe clean surfaces, rugged cargo nets, huge luggage bins and a vehicle built to withstand a hard life, the Citroen will appeal. After all, if you are a current MPV owner, when was the last time you carried seven people in it? Or pulled all the chairs out? Shortly before the visit to the chiropractor? Most will never have done so. The Berlingo makes no attempt to cover these bases. A reinforced rear bumper allows the load bay to be piled up with heavy items, and the Multispace’s van-based roots are betrayed by its ability to carry a payload of over 600kgs. With the rear seats folded down, there’s over 100 cubic feet in the back, putting the load areas of big estates like Volvos and Merecedes’ to shame. Drivers above the height of 6’10" may find front headroom a touch cramped, but for the majority of us, the roof soars overhead like a vaulted hall. Fifteen different stowage areas are dotted about the cabin, and can accommodate big bottles, loose change, maps, cups and just about anything else the average family needs to bring along. Above the front seats is a massive full width overhead shelf of vast capacity. Used buyers should check that the previous keeper hasn’t left anything in these bins that could have slipped down to the back; items like prams or mountain bikes. The five-door model rectifies the greatest failing of the three-door, namely access to the rear. Whilst this is not bad, in actual fact the seat latching action is fiddly, and small children and dogs will find it far easier to vault across the seat into the rear, leaving the predictably muddy trail. The rear tailgate can double as a handy rain shelter when opened, and stands high enough for a party of six-footers to shelter under. Particular mention must be made of the optional 20sq ft electric roof. This is the Berlingo Multispace’s one genuinely unique trick, and when opened transforms the feel of the car. There’s a genuine al fresco, wind in the hair atmosphere that helps combat the greenhouse effect the big windows can generate. The kids will love it and it’s so much more fun than pressing an air conditioning button.

Used prices for the Berlingo Multispace have settled now after initial market confusion. A 1998 S registered Multispace 1.8i can be bought for £1,180, making it a very cost effective means of family transport. Whilst a 1999 T plate 1.9D will require £1,680 to get your name on the registration document. Five door models arrived with the 2000 W-plate and around £2,825 will secure you a Multispace Forte with the 1.9 Diesel engine. Petrol fans had to hang on until the 2000 X-plate to get five doors so the earliest 1.6 Forte models are around the £2,950 mark. Insurance is a reasonable Group 4 for the 1.4i and 1.9D models and Group 5 for the surprisingly zippy 1.8i. The post-facelift cars look much prettier, if pretty is a term you can attach to a van-based MPV, and the vehicle’s commercial vehicle origins are better disguised. The 1.4-litre models are available from £3,450 on a 52-plate and the pick of the range is the 2.0-litre HDi diesel which starts from £3,575.

As with all cars that get used to ferry children back and forth, check for rips, stains and other damage to upholstery and minor trim parts. Despite being reinforced to cope with heavy loads, the Berlingo’s rear bumper is only spray painted, and a good slide of, say, a washing machine over it will rub it bare. Check the integrity of the fitments inside as, unsurprisingly, the plastics quality used in the Berlingo probably wouldn’t find their way into an Audi. On some of the cubbies it’s possible for coins, keys and the like to slip between ill-matched mouldings and down into the fascia innards. The mechanicals are proven technology and shouldn’t cause any significant worry. Despite this, check for its service history but otherwise what you see is pretty much what you get with a Berlingo Multispace.

(Estimated prices, based on a 1.8i) Coming from a commercial background where spares prices are a more significant part of the buying process, spares are very reasonable indeed. A new exhaust system will be around £140, new front brake pads £50, with rears coming in at about £58. A new radiator is around £160, whilst a new starter motor will set you back approximately £250. Break a headlight on the school run and a replacement will be the princely sum of £64.

Anyone expecting a vehicle based on a light van to offer a syrupy ride will be disappointed. Having said that, the Berlingo has the ability to convert all but the most sceptical. Especially in 1.8i guise, the Citroen is genuinely good fun to drive, with an acceptable amount of body roll in corners, and a fair amount of poke. Rest to 60 in 12.2 seconds may not worry the hot hatch brigade, but it feels much quicker in a Berlingo, especially with the roof open. The 1.8i will see 100mph under favourable conditions, although at this speed you’ll need ear defenders. The Berlingo is slightly undergeared, and you may find yourself reaching for another gear whilst barrelling along in fifth. This contributes to the Multispace’s surprising thirst. The 1.8i will return a combined fuel consumption figure of 31.7mpg, and to put that in perspective, that’s less than some sporting cars such as the Honda Integra Type-R or Audi TT Roadster. For the most accomplished engine, buyers must turn to the post-facelift cars and the 2.0-litre HDi. This offers impressive economy and a muscular turn of speed.

A used Citroen Berlingo Multispace is a cheap and cheerful way of transporting the family. It has a certain charm which helps you forgive its shortcomings. It’s vast load area, no-nonsense rubber matting and many stowage bins means it can carry gear that far bigger vehicles would baulk at, yet is shorter and more manoeuvrable than a Honda Civic. Luxury touches are noticeable by their absence, yet somehow it doesn’t matter. At the price, the Berlingo Multispace makes a great used purchase. The 1.8i is probably the best value and most fun to drive, as long as it’s thirst doesn’t seem too great. It’s fun, the kids will love it, it’s easy to clean and keep tidy and comes with a range of trustworthy engines. Don’t expect a motorway slogger or a miserly fuel sipper and you’ll get along with the Citroen just fine. Just think of it as a 2CV with more of everything for the new millennium.

ICH BIN EIN BERLINGO
With Citroen’s advanced 1.6HDi engines plumbed in, the long serving Berlingo van could receive yet another lease of life. Steve Walker Reports…

Defying expectations and baffling the critics, Citroen’s Berlingo has put on a sparkling performance on the light van stage. Nothing lasts forever though and, in true showbiz style, Citroen put their faith in an extensive facelift to prolong its popularity. Sporting a neater nose, wide staring eyes and inflated bumpers - in a look that would stand comparison with many an aging Hollywood actress – today’s Berlingo is continuing to audition powerfully for weighty roles with UK operators, especially since the addition of the latest Euro IV compliant engines.

Even the most cantankerous and mean-spirited of commercial vehicle buyers would have to concede that the Berlingo has been a massive success for Citroen. Since the covers first slid from the van’s glistening bodywork at its late 1996 launch, nearly a million models have found happy homes with European businesses. Things have moved forward somewhat since then, of course, the latest addition being that of the advanced 1.6-litre HDi diesel engines. The updates that mark today’s Citroen Berlingo out from its earlier iterations are limited to areas forward of the vehicle’s A-pillars - the rear two thirds remain as they have been since launch. This may make owners more inclined to reverse into parking spaces, garages, etc, in order to show-off their van’s cutting-edge facial features but aside from that, there are no obvious drawbacks to the aging rear end. It’s still as big, robust and accessible as ever. At the front, the deep bumper, the prominent grille and the large lights that curve up into the bonnet and wings give the van a distinctive face. The designers didn’t cut loose to the extent that fashion-conscious van users might have liked but the prerequisite mainstream appeal has been succinctly achieved.

"There’s no reason to suspect that the current version of Citroen’s Berlingo won’t continue where its predecessor left off"

Inside, the cab is tastefully done and pleasing aesthetically. There’s a digital centre console display brimming with useful information, chunky buttons, decent storage space and attractive circular vents dotted around the place. You’ll find better quality plastics and a more upmarket feel in some rivals but the Berlingo’s success has been built on keeping it simple and this interior isn’t going to offend anyone. There’s a fair bit of equipment too, with variable power steering, a height-adjustable steering column and driver’s airbag throughout. All models except the entry-level also receive the dual fold passenger seat that doubles as a desk, remote central locking, a radio/cassette stereo, electric windows/mirrors and doors that automatically lock you in at speeds above 6mph. That’s not to say, of course, that either driver or passenger will feel the need to bale out of the Berlingo once it does get up to speed. This, like most small vans, isn’t going to set many Pluses racing, unless you’ve just made the step-up from a horse and cart. But it’s relaxed enough at motorway velocity and nimble around the urban jungle. The turning circle is tight, the gearchange punchy and the steering always imparts a feeling of control while remaining light enough so as not to overwork the driver. Citroen offer a choice of petrol or diesel power but the 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol models are only tend to be of interest to buyers with an eye or two on LPG conversion. The vast majority of Berlingos sold have diesel power. That means one of two 1.6-litre HDi common-rail units, one packing 75bhp and the Range-topper offering a surprising turn of pace with 90bhp. Both of these units are impressively refined and make good long distance companions but they’re equally adept in the cut and thrust of urban motoring where the powerful torque outputs pay dividends. The 75bhp unit yields 175Nm at 1,750rpm with the 90bhp option chipping in with 215Nm at the same engine speed. Broadening the choice further is the line-up of nine load access configurations, two mainstream payload capacities and a platform cab that’s ready to take specialist modifications and become the tailored antidote to your company’s transport requirements – no matter how pernickety. There’s even an all-terrain XTR+ model with a limited slip differential. Buyers can specify side-hinged rear doors, with or without a ladder flap for lengthier cargo, or a lifting tailgate. Then there’s the option of single or double sliding side doors and the choice of 600kg or 800kg payload capacities. The variety and diversity of the different Berlingo models on offer puts much of the competition in the shade and we haven’t even covered the van’s people carrying sibling, the Berlingo Multispace. For the ultimate Berlingo, look no further than the Enterprise model. Here CV buyers are pampered by the inclusion of ABS brakes, a CD player as well as all the standard bumf. Price-wise the Berlingo remains on a par with or slightly cheaper than the rest of the top contenders in the light van sector. It’s also worth pointing out that the vehicle continues to be manufactured under the PSA partnership with Peugeot, who badge their identical version, appropriately enough, as the Partner. Another thing to bear in mind is that Citroen dealers are notorious for their special offer antics and you could well find the odd favourable deal at your local branch that makes the Berlingo appear even more of a tempting package. There’s also the manufacturer’s innovative LCV warranty arRangement where you can select either two year’s unlimited mileage cover or a three-year deal that’s limited to 100,000 miles – just go for the one that suits you best. There’s no reason to suspect that the current version of Citroen’s Berlingo won’t continue where its predecessors left off. The 1.6HDi engines have improved refinement, performance and economy and you can’t ask for much more than that. There is some stiff competition out there in this sector but, on value for money at least, few can eclipse Citroen’s star CV performer.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Citroen Berlingo Van Range ENGINES: 1.4i Petrol, 1.6HDi. DIMENSIONS: Length/Width/Height mm 4108/1719/1802 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1,670kg (600LX) – 1,985kg (800TD LX)

FIRST FOR VALUE?
There’s still life in Citroen’s first generation Berlingo van. Jonathan Crouch reports

The first generation Berlingo has proved to be Citroen’s most successful van ever. So successful in fact that the marque can’t bear to part with it following the launch of the all-new MK2 Berlingo van model. Hence the decision to continue MK1 Berlingo sales alongside the new van. It makes sense after all. There are plenty of the older versions in the network and these LCVs, now badged ‘Berlingo First’, can be offered at an attractive £9,000-£10,000 price that gets budget buyers onto the Citroen ownership ladder.

The ‘First’ range consists of two competitively priced, 600kg payload vans. The 1.4i variant is powered by a Euro 4 75hp petrol engine, while the 1.6HDi diesel that most will choose has a Euro 4 75hp diesel unit, which is able to run on up to 30 per cent bio diesel without modification. All Berlingo Firsts come decently equipped, with a driver’s airbag, anti-submarine seats and pyrotechnic seat belt pre-tensioners, an RDS radio/CD player, with steering column mounted controls, variable power assisted steering, a height adjustable steering column and adjustable door mirrors.  As before, this Berlingo can carry a full size pallet (1000 x1200mm) or two smaller metric pallets. It has a load deck length of 1700mm, a 1600mm maximum width and has a 600kg payload capability.  Standard load compartment equipment includes load securing eyes, interior load area lighting and a ladder frame bulkhead behind the driver. Both Berlingo First models have a gross vehicle weight of under 2,000kg, which allows them, under UK legislation, to run at 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 60mph on unrestricted single carriageway roads. Available options for the range include a Pack Plus, which provides remote central locking, electric front windows and heated, electrically adjustable door mirrors. Other Berlingo First options include air conditioning, a nearside, sliding side load door, a choice of bulkheads and a front passenger airbag. Otherwise, it’s the standard Berlingo recipe, a van that’s still as big, robust and accessible as ever. At the front, the deep bumper, the prominent grille and the large lights that curve up into the bonnet and wings give the van a distinctive face. The designers didn’t cut loose to the extent that fashion-conscious van users might have liked but the prerequisite mainstream appeal has been succinctly achieved.

"On value for money at least, few can eclipse Citroen’s star CV performer."

Inside, the cab is tastefully done and pleasing aesthetically. There’s a digital centre console display brimming with useful information, chunky buttons, decent storage space and attractive circular vents dotted around the place. You’ll find better quality plastics and a more upmarket feel in some rivals but the Berlingo’s success has been built on keeping it simple and this interior isn’t going to offend anyone. On the road, this, like most small vans, isn’t going to set many pluses racing, unless you’ve just made the step-up from a horse and cart. But it’s relaxed enough at motorway velocity and nimble around the urban jungle. The turning circle is tight, the gearchange punchy and the steering always imparts a feeling of control while remaining light enough so as not to overwork the driver. Price-wise this Berlingo remains on a par with or slightly cheaper than the rest of the top contenders in the light van sector. It’s also worth pointing out that the vehicle continues to be manufactured under the PSA partnership with Peugeot, who are also continuing with this design, badged as the Partner Origin. Another thing to bear in mind is that Citroen dealers are notorious for their special offer antics and you could well find the odd favourable deal at your local branch that makes the Berlingo First appear even more of a tempting package. There’s also the manufacturer’s innovative LCV warranty arrangement where you can select either two year’s unlimited mileage cover or a three-year deal that’s limited to 100,000 miles – just go for the one that suits you best. If you simply need a van rather than the latest thing, the Berlingo First might well make more sense than its more modern second generation stablemate – though the lack of the higher 800kg payload that was previously offered might well count against it with some customers. The 1.6HDi engine still offers good refinement, performance and economy and you can’t ask for much more than that. There is some stiff competition out there in this sector but, on value for money at least, few can eclipse Citroen’s star CV performer.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Citroen Berlingo First Van range ENGINES: 1.4i Petrol, 1.6HDi. DIMENSIONS: Length/Width/Height mm 4108/1719/1802 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1,670kg

LEARNING THE BER-LINGO
Citroen’s Berlingo is bigger than you might expect but does size matter? Steve Walker reports

Citroen’s Berlingo is one of the larger compact vans on the UK market offering a payloads of up to 850kg and a maximum load volume of 3.7m3. The smooth diesel engines produce strong fuel economy figures and pricing is competitive. The driving experience isn’t as perky as some would like but the comfort and refinement are both a match for the sector’s best efforts.

The star turn in Citroen’s LCV line-up has long been the Berlingo van. The original model was launched in the UK in 1996 and it proved extremely popular with its straightforward design and robust construction. Now there’s another Berlingo on the scene but anyone expecting a like for like replacement of the original will be disappointed. Citroen has diversified its van range, shunting the Berlingo up in terms of size and sophistication. You could level the criticism at some manufacturers that, in terms of importance, their commercial vehicles come a poor second to their passenger cars. This is understandable as the potential sales volumes in the car sector usually dwarf those in van land. Any right-thinking company will divert resources to where they can generate the biggest incomes but the trick is to make sure that van buyers still feel like they’re important. From the dealer level right up to the boardroom, Citroen does that better than most. It’s a commitment that has been rewarded by businesses across Europe where one in seven Citroen products sold is a commercial vehicle. Motive force for the Berlingo comes in the most part from Citroen’s familiar 1.6-litre HDi diesel engines. There is a 90bhp 1.6-litre petrol alternative but takers for that one will be in the minority. The diesel choice comes down to a 75bhp unit with torque of 185Nm at 1,750rpm or the 90bhp alternative which delivers its 215Nm at the same engine speed. The Berlingo now tips the scales at gross vehicle weights between 1,960kg and 2,130kg, depending on your choice of bodystyle, which is around 200kg more than the original. As a result, performance isn’t particularly sprightly but those sizable torque outputs ensure there’s enough pulling power for most situations you’ll encounter. Fuel economy is another major boon with both diesel engines returning an identical 48.5mpg and the petrol partially explaining its modest uptake with 34.5mpg.

"Today’s Berlingo has been given the wherewithal to tempt buyers down from their larger panel vans …"

The latest Berlingo actually shares its basic platform with the Citroen C4 Picasso MPV. It uses independent front suspension and a transverse beam with angled shock absorbers at the rear with anti-roll bars featuring at both ends. On the road, this larger Berlingo feels less agile and immediate in its responses than the original but most operators will accept a slight loss there, and in terms of cornering body control, because the van’s ride comfort and refinement are both very impressive. Road and engine noise are well contained making sure that big distances fly by and the steering is light, combining with the tight 11m turning circle to aid manoeuvring. The five-speed manual gearbox is something of a let down with its sloppy long throw action. There are two Berlingo bodystyles to consider and both are on the large side of what we expect from a compact van. Both versions share a 2,728mm wheelbase but the longer L2 model has 248mm extra tagged on behind. It means that even the smaller L1 is 4,380mm in length, that’s 243mm longer than the original Berlingo with 350mm extra in the wheelbase department. Payloads range from 625kg to 850kg, a sizable carrying capacity that edges awfully close to that of some small panel vans at its top end. The space in the rear is accessed through side hinged rear doors which open to nearly 180 degrees and reveal a compartment that’s 1,800mm long in the L1 version and never less than 1,229mm wide. Sliding side doors are available as options as is a hinged roof flap through which long items can be poked. The loading lip at the rear is nice and low and the load bay gets excellent protection from its contents courtesy of panelling that extends halfway up the sides of the vehicle. The standard bulkhead is a ladder frame behind the driver’s seat only and an unusual touch is the load compartment light that can be detached and used as a torch. Citroen offers the Berlingo in two trim levels, X and LX. Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, a trip computer, a CD stereo, central locking, electric front windows and internally adjustable door mirrors. The LX adds remote central locking, heated electric wing mirrors and an external temperature sensor. There’s also the considerable pulling power of a standard Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and vehicle tracking system. An interesting option is the All-Road pack which is designed for Berlingos regularly faced with rough surfaces with larger tyres and under body protection. It’s would be understandable if people who maintain a close eye on the light commercial vehicle market were mildly flummoxed by the Citroen Berlingo. The various small van contenders used to fit into convenient market sectors but Citroen has branched out in offering this larger Berlingo model along with the smaller Nemo which sits below. The Berlingo is tasked with pinching sales from the smaller models in the panel van sector as well as doing battle with direct competitors like Ford’s long wheelbase Transit Connect and the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi. Internally, the Citroen Berlingo is an impressive piece of work with good quality materials and neat design. The storage space is abundant and clever solutions abound ready to swallow up all the paraphernalia of your working day. In the two-seater Berlingo, the single passenger seat folds down to reveal a desk and cup holders. The space in the Berlingo’s cabin is immediately noticeable. It’s wide with plenty of room for driver and passenger. Problems start to arise when you specify the three-seat model, a highly unusual inclusion on a van of this size. The protruding dash mounted gear lever makes the middle berth virtually uninhabitable by anyone with legs and Citroen’s claim that this "occasional seat" is ideal for young children seems a moot point. The few remaining chimney sweeps might be interested but in this day and age, taking your child to work on a daily basis is rightfully frowned upon. The real advantage of the Extenso cabin, as the three-seater layout is known, is the ability to fold the outer passenger seat down to increase the load length available. You can also flip the seat cushion up to make a handy storage area on the cab floor. Citroen could have simply replaced its original Berlingo with a more modern product and had another sure fire winner on its hands. Instead, a reorganisation at the lower end of the marque’s LCV range brought about the sub-compact Nemo and this latest Berlingo, a vehicle that’s all together larger, more capable and more sophisticated than its forebear. Some of the agility of the old Berlingo was lost in the process but the Nemo ably replicates that and in virtually every other area, today’s Berlingo is a significant advancement. Today’s Berlingo has been given the wherewithal to tempt buyers down from their larger panel vans thanks to payloads of up to 850kg and a 3.7m3 maximum load volume. It’s also impressively comfortable and refined with the interior offering a good variety of storage options with good standards of fit and finish throughout. There are some capable alternative options going head to head with Citroen’s compact van but it’s good enough to give any one of them a run for its money.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Citroen MODEL: Berlingo BHP: 75bhp - 90bhp PAYLOAD CAPACITY: 625kg - 850kg LOAD VOLUME: 3.3m3 - 3.7m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1,960kg – 2,185kg LENGTH: 4,380mm – 4,628mm WIDTH: 1,810mm HEIGHT: 1,812mm-1,840mm May 10th 2008

BERLINGO LESSONS
Citroen’s latest Berlingo is the most car-like van we’ve ever tried on our long term test fleet. Jonathan Crouch has been getting to know it

Once upon a time, we knew where we were with Citroen’s Berlingo van. It was a compact light commercial vehicle that on the other side of the showroom, was also marketed with seats and windows as a car. Arguably, with today’s second generation model, it’s the other way round. Here’s an LCV based on Citroen’s family-orientated C4 Picasso mini-MPV. Hardly very truck-like.

That would be a problem of course if the refinements necessary for passenger motoring limited the Berlingo van’s versatility for day-to-day business transport. Fortunately, that’s not the case, or at least, so Citroen say. We decided to put one on our long term test fleet to find out. If you’re at all familiar with this vehicle, the first thing to point out with this second generation version is that it’s been shunted up-market in terms of size and sophistication. That was necessary not only to keep pace with competitors as tough as Renault’s Kangoo but also to distance the Berlingo from its smaller yet surprisingly spacious Nemo stablemate. Our test vehicle has the 1.6-litre 90bhp HDi diesel engine that the majority of Berlingo van buyers will probably specify. It also has an impressively high specification for a van, with features like air conditioning and ESP stability control reminding us just how far vans have come on in recent years. Tight pricing and Citroen retailers’ legendary willingness to ‘to a deal’ means that you’re probably more likely to end up with extra features like this than you would do in a comparable rival. Citroen sees it as part of the process of looking its most important end-user – the driver. It’s a commitment that has been rewarded by businesses across Europe where one in seven Citroen products sold is a commercial vehicle.

"This is a very likeable – and very usable – compact van that, well isn’t that compact. …"

We’re familiar with Citroen’s 1.6-litre HDi diesel, thanks to a current long term spell with a C4 Picasso which has a 110bhp version of that engine. To be honest, the 90bhp incarnation in our Berlingo van doesn’t feel much slower, delivering 215Nm of pulling power so that you don’t have to row it along with the gearlever in urban use. That’s important because the Berlingo now tips the scales at gross vehicle weights between 1,960kg and 2,130kg, depending on your choice of bodystyle, which is around 200kg more than the original. Despite this decent level of grunt, fuel economy has been impressive: we’ve been recording just under 50mpg in our time with the vehicle. As we’ve already suggested, the latest Berlingo is a much more sophisticated product than of old. It uses independent front suspension and a transverse beam with angled shock absorbers at the rear with anti-roll bars featuring at both ends. On the road, this larger Berlingo feels less agile and immediate in its responses than the original but most operators will accept a slight loss there, and in terms of cornering body control, because the van’s ride comfort and refinement are both very impressive. Road and engine noise are well contained making sure that big distances fly by and the steering is light, combining with the tight 11m turning circle to aid manoeuvring. Our only gripe is that the five-speed manual gearbox is something of a let down with its sloppy long throw action. There are two Berlingo bodystyles to consider and both are on the large side of what we expect from a compact van. Both versions share a 2,728mm wheelbase but the longer L2 model has 248mm extra tagged on behind. We’ve got the smaller L1 but even that is 4,380mm in length - 243mm longer than the original Berlingo with 350mm extra in the wheelbase department. Payloads range from 625kg to 850kg, a sizable carrying capacity that edges awfully close to that of some small panel vans at its top end. The space in the rear is accessed through side hinged rear doors which open to nearly 180 degrees and reveal a compartment that’s 1,800mm long in our L1 version and never less than 1,229mm wide. Sliding side doors are available as options as is a hinged roof flap through which long items can be poked. The loading lip at the rear is nice and low and the load bay gets excellent protection from its contents courtesy of panelling that extends halfway up the sides of the vehicle. The standard bulkhead is a ladder frame behind the driver’s seat only and an unusual touch is the load compartment light that can be detached and used as a torch. Citroen offers the Berlingo in two trim levels, X and LX. Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, a trip computer, a CD stereo, central locking, electric front windows and internally adjustable door mirrors. The LX adds remote central locking, heated electric wing mirrors and an external temperature sensor. There’s also the considerable pulling power of a standard Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and vehicle tracking system. Internally, the Citroen Berlingo is an impressive piece of work with good quality materials and neat design. The storage space is abundant and clever solutions abound ready to swallow up all the paraphernalia of your working day. Buyers can choose between two front seats or a three-seater bench fitted to our test car. True, the middle seat legroom is severely impeded by the dash-mounted gearstick but it is useful to have if you’ve an extra child with you. Frequently, I’ve wanted to thank Citroen for fitting it when circumstances have required me to pick my older two kids up from school on the way home from work. They seem to think that Berlingo motoring is huge fun and, in somewhat tempered fashion, I’m inclined to agree that this is a very likeable – and very usable – compact van that, well isn’t that compact. We’re looking forward to stretching its capabilities a little more in the months ahead.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Citroen MODEL: Berlingo BHP: 75bhp - 90bhp PAYLOAD CAPACITY: 625kg - 850kg LOAD VOLUME: 3.3m3 - 3.7m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1,960kg – 2,185kg LENGTH: 4,380mm – 4,628mm WIDTH: 1,810mm HEIGHT: 1,812mm-1,840mm October 10th 2008

PETROL WITHOUT THE PAIN
Citroen’s Berlingo van really adds up in Dual Fuel form. Jonathan Crouch reports

Citroen’s Berlingo van makes most sense in the Dual Fuel form we look at here, based on the entry-level 90bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine. The alterations take this variant from being a modest 34mpg performer when it comes to running costs to being stand-out in this respect. Plus the basic product itself is pretty practical too.

Other van manufacturers would probably like to know the reasons behind Citroen’s success in this sector across Europe – so they probably ought to be reading this. Indeed, across the continent, one in seven Citroen products sold is a commercial vehicle. The French brand has triumphed through designing, marketing and pricing its commercial products to the needs of end-users. Other manufacturers talk about this but ultimately seem to expect end-users to fit in with them. A great example of Citroen’s approach is their ‘Ready To Run’ programme. This produces a whole series of bespoke versions of their popular Nemo, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay models, tailored precisely to the needs of the companies likely to use them. The model we’re looking at here, the Berlingo Dual Fuel, comes direct from the ‘Ready To Run’ programme and will precisely suit the needs of a significant number of operators. When we first tested the Berlingo van, we remarked that we couldn’t really see why any business would choose the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol version over the HDi diesel unless their mileage were extremely low (unlikely) or they were intending to have a dual fuel conversion. How do you organise such a thing? Well, you just talk to your Citroen dealer. The technically advanced and apparently very reliable Nicholson McLaren Engines’ (NME) dual fuel conversion fitted to this Berlingo has already been proven in some 2,000 Nemo and Berlingo First Dual Fuel vans. The conversion applied to the second generation Berlingo includes a 59-litre LPG tank mounted in place of the spare wheel, with the LPG filler mounted alongside the petrol filler and under the standard fuel filler flap. Berlingo 1.6i Dual Fuel vans have the same performance characteristics as their petrol-engined equivalents and meet both the new European standard R115 and the existing European standard R6701. They’re also fully European On Board Diagnosis (EOBD)-compliant. The Citroën Ready to Run Dual Fuel vans all deliver major fuel cost savings and meet Powershift Band 4 emissions standards and are thus exempt from London Congestion Charge Zone charge, giving additional savings of up to £1,696 p.a.

"The likely savings in day-to-day running costs that this variant enjoys will dwarf even those of the frugal HDi diesel variants…"

The L1 Berlingo van bodystyle that we’re looking at here is 4,380mm in length, that’s 243mm longer than the original Berlingo with 350mm extra in the wheelbase department. The space in the rear is accessed through side hinged rear doors which open to nearly 180 degrees and reveal a compartment that’s 1,800mm long in the L1 version and never less than 1,229mm wide. Sliding side doors are available as options as is a hinged roof flap through which long items can be poked. The loading lip at the rear is nice and low and the load bay gets excellent protection from its contents courtesy of panelling that extends halfway up the sides of the vehicle. The standard bulkhead is a ladder frame behind the driver’s seat only and an unusual touch is the load compartment light that can be detached and used as a torch. Internally, the Citroen Berlingo is an impressive piece of work with good quality materials and neat design. The storage space is abundant and clever solutions abound ready to swallow up all the paraphernalia of your working day. There are both two and three-seater cab options and in the two-seater Berlingo, the single passenger seat folds down to reveal a desk and cup holders. The space in the Berlingo’s cabin is immediately noticeable. It’s wide with plenty of room for driver and passenger. Problems start to arise when you specify the three-seat model, a highly unusual inclusion on a van of this size. The protruding dash mounted gear lever makes the middle berth virtually uninhabitable by anyone with legs and Citroen’s claim that this "occasional seat" is ideal for young children seems a moot point. The few remaining chimney sweeps might be interested but in this day and age, taking your child to work on a daily basis is rightfully frowned upon. The real advantage of the Extenso cabin, as the three-seater layout is known, is the ability to fold the outer passenger seat down to increase the load length available. You can also flip the seat cushion up to make a handy storage area on the cab floor. Citroen now offers the widest range of petrol/LPG fuelled vans available from any LCV manufacturer in the UK. The Berlingo 1.6i Dual Fuel van sells alongside a similar version of the old Berlingo design (called ‘Berlingo First’), plus the smaller Nemo 1.4i Dual Fuel van. Citroen offers the Berlingo Dual Fuel in two trim levels, X and LX both priced at around the £10,000 mark. Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, a trip computer, a CD stereo, central locking, electric front windows and internally adjustable door mirrors. The LX adds remote central locking, heated electric wing mirrors and an external temperature sensor. There’s also the considerable pulling power of a standard Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and vehicle tracking system. An interesting option is the All-Road pack which is designed for Berlingos regularly faced with rough surfaces with larger tyres and under body protection. It’s would be understandable if people who maintain a close eye on the light commercial vehicle market were mildly flummoxed by the Citroen Berlingo. The various small van contenders used to fit into convenient market sectors but Citroen has branched out in offering this larger Berlingo model along with the smaller Nemo which sits below. The Berlingo is tasked with pinching sales from the smaller models in the panel van sector as well as doing battle with direct competitors like Ford’s long wheelbase Transit Connect and the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi. Citroen’s Berlingo van is already good enough to hold its own in a tough LCV market but this Dual Fuel conversion option adds a further and very useful string to its bow. The likely savings in day-to-day running costs that this variant enjoys will dwarf even those of the frugal HDi diesel variants, so this alternative is one that commercial operators shouldn’t ignore. And the Berlingo van itself? Well, it’s more car-like than ever before and much bigger than you might expect too. To the extent in fact that it could make more sense than that larger van you might have been considering. Downsizing on costs without compromising on space certainly has its appeal.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Citroen MODEL: Berlingo Dual Fuel BHP: 90bhp PAYLOAD CAPACITY: [L1] 625kg LOAD VOLUME: [L1] 3.3m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: [L1] 1,960kg LENGTH: [L1] 4,380mm WIDTH: 1,810mm HEIGHT: 1,812mm-1,840mm November 10th 2008

READY FOR THE ROUGH?
Does Citroen’s Berlingo XTR+ have the tools in its locker to live up to its off-road billing? Steve Walker finds out…

It’s easy to appreciate the thinking behind four-wheel-drive vans. There won’t be too many operators in this country who really need one but there will be some whose business regularly takes them down unmade roads, across rutted building sites or out to inaccessible locations with a considerable amount of cargo in tow. Then there will be those who need a van and simply warm to the rugged looks of an off-road model. Citroen’s Berlingo XTR+ van is less straightforward to fathom than conventional 4x4 commercial vehicles. It’s a small van created for off-road use that is conspicuously lacking any kind of four-wheel-drive mechanicals but Citroen are confident there’s a market for it.

If you’re a fan of the way 4x4 vans look, the Berlingo XTR+ is unlikely to float you boat. Commercial models like the Jeep Cherokee Pioneer, Kia’s Sorrento XE-C and the Mitsubishi Shogun vans look a lot like their passenger-carrying 4x4 base vehicles with big wheels, bigger bumpers and aggressively chunky styling. Citroen’s Berlingo XTR+, on the other hand, looks a lot like a Citroen Berlingo van. This isn’t a bad thing in itself, the Berllingo being relatively attractive for a small van, but it means the XTR+ won’t be winning sales from proper 4x4 vans on the basis of its rough and ready image. Instead, it will have to rely on its underlying abilities to persuade the punters but in the absence of an all-wheel-drive transmission system, does it have any? The XTR+ is a Citroen Berlingo 1.6 HDi 600 van that’s been modified for off-road use and the modifications have been more thorough than you might at first credit. We’ve established that the vehicle looks basically the same as a standard Berlingo but observant individuals may notice its wheels fitting their wheelarches a little less snugly than usual. This is due to the raised and strengthened suspension on the XTR+ which gives it an additional 40mm of ground clearance over a standard Berlingo and equips it to take more severe off-road knocks. Larger 15" wheels are also fitted and these are shod with Michelin Synchrome all terrain tyres for improved grip off-road.

"On pothole-ridden tracks the ride is exemplary"

The other visual clue that the XTR+ is not averse to getting its tyres dirty is the metallic skid plate that peeps out below the van’s front bumper. If you’re not averse to getting your knees dirty, you can take a look underneath and see that this is just the tip of the underbody protection iceberg. The XTR+ is well-shielded from protruding obstacles with a sturdy sump guard and two longitudinal metal skid plates. The smooth underside that these create helps the XTR+ slither along on its belly as it approaches the limits of its ground clearance, conquering obstacles that would otherwise have proved impassable. Ground clearance and tyres are the off-road driver’s best friends but he’s also a very fond acquaintance of traction and without four-wheel-drive, you’d expect the Berlingo to struggle in this area. In a bid to ensure that proper 4x4 underpinnings are not too badly missed by companies running the XTR+, the manufacturers have fitted a clever multi-plate limited slip differential. When the mud gets deep and wheel slippage starts to occur, the differential automatically diverts as much as 75% of the engine’s torque away from the wheel that has lost traction, firing it through the one that can still gain a foothold. This will be enough to extricate the XTR+ from some sticky situations but should both front wheels suffer a simultaneous loss of grip, there’ll be little choice but to wave the white flag, get out and push. The advantage of 4x4 systems is that they have four wheels to send drive to, theoretically making them half as likely to require the input of farmer Giles and his tractor. Sophisticated 4x4 transmission systems are expensive and because the Berlingo doesn’t have one, it isn’t. At around £12,500, the Citroen is a good £2,000 cheaper than the mainstream 4x4 vans and is priced equivalently to many bog standard, entry-level pick-up trucks – most of which also offer only 4x2 drive systems. The other important advantage that the Berlingo has over these products is that it’s based on a van. With its 569kg payload and 3m3 load volume, it can cope with far more cargo than any commercial vehicle that’s based on a family 4x4. The XTR+ handles much more adeptly on the road than proper 4x4 commercial vehicles. Get straight from a standard Berlingo into this beefed-up model and you’ll notice increased body roll in corners and a bouncier quality to the ride on undulating roads. This is a product of the heavy duty suspension on the XTR+ but it’s a minor drawback in comparison to the roly-poly ride served up by all-wheel-drive vans. If anything, The XTR+ feels smoother on good roads than the standard Berlingo with the compliant suspension soaking up the imperfections more effectively. The steering is nice and direct, and there’s a punchy action to the gearchange that makes the van enjoyable to get about in. Citroen’s 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine is also very impressive with its 90bhp output and 215Nm of torque at 1,900rpm. The issue of the XTR+ and its supposed off-road ability is an interesting one. In the UK, 4x4 vehicles are extremely popular but only a small proportion of them are ever used off-road and of those, very few are used in situations that will test them to their limits. The appeal of the 4x4 is largely derived from its image and the same goes for 4x4 vans. Very few operators will undertake serious off-roading in their vehicles and those that do would be ill advised to look far beyond a Land Rover Defender. For the kind of light off-road work that is typically undertaken in this country, the Berlingo XTR+ is virtually as good as many of the full time 4x4 vans and it’s better on the tarmac. On pothole-ridden tracks the ride is exemplary and you can drive with the confidence that the vehicle is sturdy enough to take the knocks. Obviously, if you attempt anything too extreme in the Citroen Berlingo XTR+, particularly on very low grip surfaces like wet grass or thick mud, the front wheel drive transmission is going to come unstuck before a proper 4x4 would but otherwise there shouldn’t be too much of a problem. As a tougher Berlingo for operators needing extra strength and a little off-road ability along with a lot of loadbay and good on road manners, the XTR+ makes plenty of sense.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Citroen Berlingo XTR+ ENGINE: 1.6HDi 90bhp DIMENSIONS: Length/Width/Heightmm 4137/1724/1855 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1,805kg PAYLOAD: 569kg