New Front-wheel-drive Citroen Van
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APARTICULARLY useful type of fight delivery van has recently been put into series production by the French Citroen company. Powered by the standard Citroen 15 h.p. engine, this vehicle is made in two types, for payloads of 850 kilogs. (16i cwt.) and 1,200 kilogs. (23i cwt.) respectively.
It is a front-wheel-drive chassis, in which the normal position of the power unit, as seen in Citroen private cars, is reversed. That is to say, the engine is mounted forward of the wheels, thus providing greater floor space and excellent accessibility, combined with good load distribution.
With its short wheelbase (8 ft. 2 ins.) and exceptional steering lock, this van should be handy for work in city streets. The floor, which is absolutely flat, is only 1 ft. 3 ins, from ground level. In addition to the rear doors, a sliding door arranged forward on the kerb side of the van (for a right-hand road rule) provides further access to the interior.
Inside the body, box-form extensions are carried back from the rear wheelarches. On one of these the petrol tank is mounted, and on the other the spare wheel is carried. An extension of the roof forms an awning over the rear doors.
In the cab, which is heated and well ventilated, there is a large cupboard and a cabinet with draws. A folding seat is arranged for the driver's assistant, and is readily detachable when not required.
Total laden weight of the larger type, when carrying two men, is about 2i tons and of the smaller about 2 tons 4 cwt. The engine is a four-eylindered unit of 78 mm. bore and 100 mm. stroke, with a capacity of 1.911 litres. It has overhead valves and detachable liners, and develops 50 b.h.p. at 3,800 r.p.m. The gearbox is the standard Citroen three-speed unit and suspension is by torsion bars, as in other models.