Since the brand was re-launched as a rightful part of the Peugeot stable in South Africa early last year, Citroen has rejuvenated its passenger car line-up, but the commercial vehicles have been missing in action.
Now the company addressed that omission in one fell swoop with the release of three new commercial vehicles in South Africa. In brief, Citroen has launched the new Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay, which basically range from compact to large in that order.
BERLINGO:
This will at least be a familiar name to South Africans, the previous Berlingo having been sold here between 2003 and 2009.
The new one shares its platform with the latest C4 Picasso MPV and is available in two lengths - 4.38m or 4.63m - on a wheelbase of 2.73m. The van body allows two Euro pallets to be positioned one behind the other with the shorter body offering 3.3m3 of space and the longer version 3.7m3, payloads raging between 750kg and 850kg.
Easy access to the loading space is ensured by two sliding side doors and side-hinged rear doors.
With the lever for the five-speed gearbox being positioned on the dashboard, the front cabin can accommodate three people abreast, while the middle seat backrest can be folded forward to provide you with a desk on the move.
Standard kit includes a driver-side airbag and ABS brakes, while buyers can pay extra for an air conditioner and passenger airbag.
You also have a choice between petrol and diesel power, with the 60kW 1.6-litre petrol model, at R R155 790 and the 66kW 1.6 HDi at R188 290.
DISPATCH:
Next up the size scale, the mid-sized Dispatch offers a load volume of 6m3 with a payload capability of 1200kg and has the ability to carry a load of up to 2.6m in length.
A novelty is the option of self-levelling air suspension at the rear, which can be used to lower the vehicle to less than 1.9m so it can access low-roofed car parks.
Power is via an 88kW 2-litre HDi turbo diesel engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and safety specification is as per the Berlingo.
The Dispatch is also offered as an eight-seater passenger van, with a generous specification including automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control, USB connection, Bluetooth, front and rear air-conditioning, ESP stability control and four airbags. This model is powered by a 100kW 2.0 HDi diesel engine paired with a six-speed 'box.
Expect to part with R272 900 for the panel van and R372 900 for the passenger bus.
RELAY:
The big daddy of the panel van range comes in a variety of sizes - three overall lengths with two wheelbases and two body heights - which result in customers having the choice of load volumes ranging from 10m3 to 15m3.
Access to the load area is made easy by the low sill (53-56cm, depending on the model) with rear swing doors that open to 180 degrees.
This is one of the few front-wheel drive panel vans that are rated at a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5-tons. In the case of the Relay the GVM can go up to 4000kg which allows for a payload of 1850kg.
The Relay features an optional self-levelling rear suspension and a choice of three diesel engines - the 22 HDi 100 (74kW), 2.2 HDi 120 (88kW) and the 3.0 HDi 160 (115 kW). All three engines are mated to manual gearboxes, with six speeds for the HDi 120 and HDi 160 and a five-speeder for the HDi 100 models.
Pricing for the Relay ranges between R279 050 and R358 400.
As far as warranties and service plans are concerned, all offer a three-year/100 000km warranty and in the Berlingo you get a four-year/60 000km service plan - up that to five years and 100 000km in the Dispatch and Relay.