1.02 MUTEST Notable features included in the price are a
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key-pad immobiliser and a passenger seat which can be converted into a desk-top.
Citroen claims safety was a "major part of the brief" in designing the Berlingo and it hasn't come out too badly There's "ring of steel" roll-over protection; side-impact beams; a fuel cut-off system and driver's airbag (but no option for a passenger version).
A people-carrying version of the Berlingo is available in some European markets; whether we get one here will depend on response at the Birmingham Motor Show The load area of any high-cube van is designed from scratch so the Berlingo has no natural advantage here. But if we're talking load-carrying, Citroen has done pretty well: the net payload of 525kg is competitive.
Opt for the 1.9D with a useable payload of 725kg (allowing for a 75kg driver) and you're getting into small panel van territory.
There's also a class leading and very useable 3.0m3 load volume. The loading height of 567mm is about average for a high-cube. Six strong tie-down points are spread evenly through the load bay and a rubber moulded floor mat will do its bit to keep things steady.
Were no great fans of ladder bulkheads as their ability to stop rogue parcels flying forward is dubious.
A half-height bulkhead can be specified as an option and this is certainly worth looking into, even though you won't be able to use the extra load length that is gained by moving the passenger seat forward. This is quite a useful feature (provided the object is no wider than a person); each buyer will have to work out his priorities.
Access to the load area is via rear twin doors which have the usual feature of opening to either 90° or 180°, and Citroen claims the bumper will withstand 150kg.
A good load area then, but if we sense the business buyer pricking up his ears I'm afraid we've some bad news to follow, under the heading of fuel consumption. OK, so 40.3mpg is no disaster with a payload of 525kg and GVW of 1,755kg, but even the Inca managed 43.4mpg with a payload of 550kg. The Courier puts in a staggering 50.9mpg with only 10kg less payload than the Citroen. There doesn't seem to be any reason for this except perhaps the high-roof cab, but if there's one area where the Berlingo might fall down it's in the penceper-mile equation. • CAB COMFORT Where Citroen does have a natural advantage is with its "clean sheet" approach to the cab. This has been used to great effect. There's shed-loads of room above the driver's head and by his elbows. We've already mentioned that the cab is the same height as the load area and this allows room for the seat to be raised. Citmen designed the Berlingo with the multidrop delivery driver in mind and getting in and out does seem to be easier than with other high-cubes.
The seats themselves are extremely comfortable. To some extent this is always going to be subjective but we found they gave superb support in all directions. In fact the seats really are the stars of the Berlingo, the passenger side being particularly talented. Not only does it roll forward to give extra load length, the back of it converts into a desk and it even conceals substantial stowage space.
With the desk option selected the Berlingo storms through our coke can (x2) and clipboard test. It's almost as if Citroen started with these items and designed the van around them. If you're using a lap-top computer it can then be stored under the seat where thieves won't look (unless they've read CM!) With the seat in its conventional position the storage space is still fairly good. The deepish glove box has two more indents to stop drinks flying around. Underneath that there's
.4 another compartment, and one above the stereo. Behind the hand brake there's a small coin holder-presumably to hold the necessary cash for all those cans.
The door pockets are also quite large and a band round the driver's sun visor could hold some documents.
The interior is solid and well put together although it's a shame the fascia is so dark and austere. The dashboard is also a bit gloomy but at least it's clear. Indicator and wiper stalks are well positioned and have a good feel to them.
When we last had a van with keypad immobiliser (Fiat Scudo; CM 12-18 September) we said they were generally a bad idea for multi-drops, and this one is no exception. Admittedly there's no panel to pull down but having to enter the code each time the engine stops will prove a pain_
We liked the moulded-in radio, which means you don't have to bother taking it with you, and the speakers are sensibly placed high up. A final thing which adds to driver comfort is the low noise level. Deadening panels on the side of the load area certainly reduce the boom effect and although we're not entirely convinced by the "acoustically engineered floor pan", road and engine noise was subjectively very good (unfortunately we weren't able to carry out conclusive tests).
With its relatively low horsepower and high payload it's no surprise that the Berlingo is behind its rivals in the standing-start performance stakes. Its 0-80km/h acceleration time of 17.9sec is behind its nearest competitor by over a second.
By contrast it did very well in the hill climbs: 2min 54sec for the M20 and lmin 10sec for the A20 make it the class leader.
The all-independent suspension seems to have done the trick with the ride, which is comfortable whether laden or unladen. Even some particularly vicious sleeping-policemen did little to unsettle it.
As for handling, it managed to hold on round a wet test track that had a fair sprinkling of leaves. It didn't quite go where you pointed it, having the expected under-steer, but at least this was predictable. Lifting off or braking at the apex affected the line but again, this was nothing dramatic. The only thing that let the handling down was the steering which, considering it lacked power-assistance, felt imprecise.
Going back to the seats again, their extra
height leads to good visibility on the road. This is complemented by adequate wing mirrors although rear visibility through the van is hampered by the twin doors. Unfortunately the bonnet slopes down to such an extent that you can't see it for practical manoeuvringperhaps that's why Citroen has included such substantial bumpers.
We couldn't test the brakes properly due to the wet track. Subjectively they felt good with a progressive feel and not too much travel.
Our first impression of the Berlingo was that it should do very well depending on two things: price and fuel economy. We've since found out it's a case of price good, fuel economy bad. But the fuel problem isn't too much of an obstacle and it does do a lot of things very well.
The cabin is excellent and the load space is up there with the best of them. Driveability is also pretty good, especially in terms of visibility and comfort.
The Berlingo deserves to do well, mainly because it's designed for the job. Will this will be enough to trouble the big boys from Ford and Vauxhall? We'll have to wait and see.
Li by Charles Young