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Driving impressions
Page 24
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• During the UK launch of the New Look Relay at Citroen UK's Slough HQ we were able to try the latest Sevel vans on the road for the first time. Unfortunately, the new version with the all-new 2.2-litre engine wasn't available, out by way of compensation our first full road test will be of a 2.2. We were able to try versions powered by the other pair of diesels, though.
We began by pointing an 1800 LWB High Roof van, powered by the 2.8-litre engine, in the direction of west London. Both vans we drove were carrying around half of their maximum payload. MWB and LWB vans have an impressive 1,265mm-wide and 1,769mm-tall side door as standard, although on the LWB model its front edge is some 500mm back from the bulkhead.
Moving away, first gear felt as though it should need a handful of revs and a dose of clutch slip to get away, but in fact faith in the low speed power delivery is repaid. Just remember that the hand brake is to your right Diving straight into the cut and thrust of the M4 confirmed that the 300Nm of torque produted the strong performance you would expect. The gear lever takes a few minutes of learning, canted well over to the left as it is, but with a little practice it gives a very precise change. Once off the motorway and into some residential and town-centre roads the ride showed itself to be on the firm side, but handled the inevitable potholes and trenches well. Only on the worst was them a little shake from the load doors, but speccing a full steel bulkhead would probably add the final touch of stiffness.
The Relay is still not quite the quietest van around, but the only annoying noise, which affected both models, was the contents of the tool sack rattling (not the hardest problem to rectify). With a sensible wheelbase-to-overhang ratio, even this longest Relay van is easy to manoeuvre in tight spots.
The lsringhausen seats are comfortable, all of the controls are easy to operate by the biggest van driving
hands, and the instruments are clearly if minimally marked. The pop-up clipboard in the centre of the dash is a good idea (although when loaded with an A4 sheet the radio is hidden); it's backed up with another document clip and a pair of cup holders by the dropdown central seat back. There are far more storage solutions than we have space to list.
A briefer drive in the smallest van, powered by the 2.0-litre engine with less power than the top Berlingo, might have been a less fulfilling experience; in fact the standard-height 1100 SWB is surprising lively. Its compact dimensions and nimble handling should make it a perfectly acceptable urban workhorse, with the ability to cope with the open road when needed.