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Hot tips for the Relay race
Page 68
Page 69
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Commercial Motor tests
more vans than anyone else, and we are using our extensive database to give you the lowdown.
This week it's the Citroen Relay 1800 panel van and chassis cab.
The lowdown
It's hard to compare tippers with any other light commercial vehicle.They are very much a oneoff and you are unlikely to get the ultimate driving experience due to their physical makeup.
For starters there will always be an element of compromise in the suspension,especially when unladen, and the chassis will flex to a greater degree than in the van.
But in the context of its market it has to be said that the Relay hits the mark.The combination of a good chassis, smart interior and competitive price has created a tempting package.
For a product that has just entered the market, Citroen should be congratulated on a good first effort. Compared with its nearest rivals from Ford and Mercedes, the class leaders. the Relay holds its own.
Build quality and residual values may prove to be slightly below these two over time, but with the competitive front-end price of £12,995 (cheaper than the standard chassis-cab) compared with £17k for the Mercedes and £19k for the Ford, it's easy to see the Citroen's attraction for costconscious buyers.
If you're in the market for a tipper, you could do a lot worse than consider the Citroen Relay.
The lowdown
At first glance the Citroen Relay does not seem a revolutionary move forward, but behind the new headlamps and bigger badge it has quietly evolved to keep in touch with the challenges of a sophisticated marketplace.
Manufacturers are constantly urged to improve the driver's life; the Relay's upgraded accommodation and driving characteristics certainly do that.At the same time the latest clean, efficient engine, Citroen's keen pricing and a generous and flexible warranty will appeal to those with a financial stake in the business. •