Sevel vans get more
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• Both Peugeot-Talbot and Citroen have revealed plans for a new, smaller, turbo-diesel engine for their Sevel vans.
But the engine, which will be an addition to the existing 2.5-litre indirect-injection engines, is not likely to be available before early 1992.
It is expected to be a 1.9litre unit, in response to Fiat's announcement that its 1.9-litre charge-cooled diesel is to be fitted to UK-specification Ducatos. This engine will replace the current 2.5-litre naturally aspirated diesel. The chargecooled engine has been available on the Continent for the past two years. A question remains over which engine will be used. Peugeot and Citroen's parent company, PSA, does not produce a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel at present. Peugeot and Citroen cars are offered with either a 1.9-litre naturally aspirated engine or a 1.8-litre turbo-diesel.
The turbo-diesel is a possible contender for the vans, but one source has indicated that the engine will be all new.
Citroen is due to launch a new mid-sized saloon next summer. A 1.9-litre turbodiesel has been developed for it, and it is believed that this is the engine that will power the PSA Sevel vans.
The new car is unlikely to be fitted with the diesel until Christmas 1991, so it could not be expected to find its way into a Sevel panel van much before the middle of 1992.
Testing has largely been completed but production has not yet started. The present PSA turbo-diesel produces around 68kW (90hp) when fitted to the Citroen BX and Peugeot 405; this compares with 61kW (82hp) for the 1.9litre charge-cooled Fiat engine.
It seems likely that the engine fitted to the Express and C25 models would be similarly rated.
El Supply problems are still causing delays for the facelifted UK Sevel models which were launched at Birmingham in September. Peugeot-Talbot Expresses are trickling in, but the first few hundred are earmarked for motor caravan conversions. Vans should be in showrooms by mid-December.
Citroen buyers will have to wait longer — the C25 is not expected until next March. In the meantime supplies of the old model have stopped and stocks are running down.
Things look better for Fiat Ducat° supplies — vehicles should be in by mid-November.