Visa carries volume
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CITROEN is poised to take its first major step into the UK light commercial vehicle market with a new car-derived van, the C15.
It was seen for the first time at last year's Paris Motor Show, and is a 2.7m (108in) wheelbase front-wheel-drive van based on the Citroen Visa saloon car.
It has a high capacity 2.7cum (95.3cuft) box body similar to that fitted to the Fiat Fiorino and Renault 4F6.
Right-hand-drive versions of the C15, which is built at Citroen's Vigo assembly plant in Spain, are already undergoing UK type approval.
British C15 vans will be offered with a choice of either a four-cylinder 1,124cc, 35kW (47hp) petrol engine with a maximum torque of 83Nm (61 lbft) or a 1,769cc, 45kW (60hp) indirect-injection diesel unit with a peak torque of 116Nm (86 lbft).
Both engines will be matched to a four-speed gearbox.
Maximum payload is 585kg (11.5cwt) without driver on board. The C15 is fitted with front discs and rear drum brakes.
Unlike the more sophisticated hydro-pneumatic suspensions used on Citroen's larger saloon cars, the C15 has simple coilspring suspension all round, with Macpherson struts fitted to the front axle.
The internal body height on the C15 is 1,227mm (48in), while the load platform length is 1,644mrn (65in).
Left-hand-drive models are normally supplied with a large window fitted in the box body, although UK models will have them blanked out. The driving compartment has a simple, well laid-out design, and a full-width metal load restraint barrier is fitted as standard.
The 1,156mm (46m) wide rear door is hinged at the side and the rear loading height is 574mm (23in) unladen and 452mm (18in) laden.
Citroen has yet to announce the official UK launch date, or prices for the C15, although the new van when available will certainly attract interest from light cv operators particularly those looking for a large body volume.
The C15's 2.7cum is greater than the Fiat Fiorillo with 2.5cum and the Renault 4F6 with 2.3cum.