CITROEN DISPATCH XTR+
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Price: [18,780 Engine: 2.0-litre, 120kp Payload: 1,163kg Mileage: 6,970 miles Expenses: £0.00 Faults: None Average fuel economy:35.9mpg Our time with the Citroen Dispatch is now up.
Having it on long-term loan has given us a well-rounded view of this often-underrated French van. With most of our mileage done inside London's M25, there were precious few occasions when we could really put the XTR's enhanced traction system to the test. But that's not to say we didn't try...
At our regular proving ground, we gave the Dispatch 500kg of payload and drove it on the off-road section — straight after a downpour. The undulating circuit provided the ideal environment to simulate the conditions experienced by operators who buy these types of vans.
Although the Dispatch has a limited-slip differential, beefed-up suspension and underbody protection, it's by no means an off-roader like our long-term Toyota Hilux.
From standstill on the slippery gravel incline, the Dispatch moved off with minimum fuss, and the 120hp 2.0-litre unit provided enough pulling-power to prevent it rolling hack.
Further into the test, the Dispatch XTR-F was caught out when the back wheels became bogged down (due to the driver rather than the vehicle). Driving the Citroen throng big mud pits is unlikely to happen in the real world, but w( can report that this vehicle overcame the difficult obstacle we encountered. However, we don't recommend you test the limits of your vehicle in the way we did.
A bit of rocking back and forth in the sticky mud mea the wheels could gain a hit more traction, and after a prc on the throttle, the Dispatch was free. Job done.
Out on the road. the Dispatch behaves like any other van, although it does have a few foibles. Don't get us wror we like the vehicle's manoeuvrability around town, hut th steering proved too light for our liking and, as such, the Citroen never felt completely in tune with road and drive Another gripe is the gearshift, which lacks precision an feels spongy in comparison with rivals such as the VW Transporter. Another drawback is the narrow off-set clutc and accelerator pedals, but that's just pedantic.
However, our overall experience with the Dispatch XTR+ has been a positive one. The vehicle showed a high-degree of flexibility when it came to load-lugging, w acceptable running costs to match. So, if your business requires you to venture off the blacktop on occasions, tht Dispatch XTR+ comes highly recommended.
Ian Tonkin