1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160 
Commercial vehicles and risk taking are two subjects that are not readily associated.
Page 36
Page 37
Page 38
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Of course, a new version of a vehicle that's been running for a couple of decades will always be something of an unknown quantity on its launch, but the general status quo will remain —models have defined sizes, and manufacturers have a generally defined hierarchy.
So, when the PSA Group (Citroen and Peugeot) announced a joint project with Fiat to produce a subcompact van, it raised a few eyebrows.
Either the vehicle manufacturers knew something we didn't regarding viability, or it's a bold leap into the unknown, and chiselling out a new size category by squeezing in a model with 2.5tn load area between existing products that boast 1.0m3 and 3.2m3 areas.
Nonetheless, all aforementioned companies are pinning high hopes on this little urban runabout, and already there are signs of it making an impact.
Renault has taken up the challenge with a smaller version of its new Kangoo, which sports a reduced 2.3m load volume, along with the standard 3.0m3.
Citroen's version, branded Nemo. is powered by either a 1.4HDi 70hp common-rail turbodiesel engine or a 1.4 petrol unit with 75hp.
Both engines boast a five-speed manual shift, while the HDi can also be specced with an electronically controlled manual gearbox, which has been christened SensoDrive.
Available in two trim levels, the X includes driver's airbag, ABS, and MP3-compatible CD/radio, although, surprisingly, no remote central locking.
The uprated LX version gets all the aforementioned features, as well as a separate load compartment locking facility. front electric windows and door mirrors with heating, height adjustable driver's seat complete with lumbar support and nearside sliding door.
Options include a Bluetooth system to connect with mobile phones and offside sliding doors, as well as a full and half-height bulkhead, cruise control with speed limiter, air-con and rear parking sensors.
Prices start at .i7,995 for the petrol X version and rise to £9.915 for the HDi LX SensoDrive. For our test, we've gone for the HDi LX manual, which is priced at £9,515.
Productivity
First, some figures for you to digest. The Nemo weighs in at 1,700kg GVW, although it sports only 70hp. We say only' because larger-sized vehicles with similar GVWs tend to have more hearty outputs.
And since this little van struggled on take-off when fully loaded, we figured it would pass this discrepancy on to the fuel figure, and at 50.3mpg it didn't equate to outright economy. Unladen saw consumption hit an impressive 59.3mpg, giving us an indication of the load effect.
In reality, not many people are going to buy a van with such a load capacity and then crank it up until it's teetering on its springs. Probably best to refer to the unladen figure, and, at nearly 60mpg, it bodes well for general driving. Our test version came with a half-height steel bulkhead complete with upper mesh grill, which forgoes the use of the company's optional foldable front passenger seat (00) to boost load length.
This keeps the load volume at 2.5m3 and load length at 1,523mm, although the practical design makes it easy to utilise all the available space in the rear.
The offset rear doors allow generous access with just one side open. However, for those of you not prepared to stretch inside (and that probably counts for quite a few), the twin slide doors, as featured (440 on X and £220 for LX) make reaching in a cinch; they open out considerably for a vehicle of this size. Also included are six tie-down points to keep that load secure, while above the left wheel arch, there are two integrated storage trays for oddments.
On the road
A small van it may be, but the Nemo's ability allows is to punch above its size in the driving stakes. As previously mentioned, it's certainly no lightweight in terms of, erm, weight, and that transfers positively to the road. The Nemo feels well planted and secure, thanks in part to the aforementioned factors, but also due to the build quality, which has stepped up a notch compared with the previous generation of small Citroens — the company claims that CAP is marking it down for strong residuals.
The steering is light at low speeds, allowing casual arm twirling when in tight spots, but its variable assistance saps it of any feel as the servo channels in the power.
Quicken up the pace and it firms up noticeably, allowing high-speed cruising with the constant correction that can blight smaller vehicles.
This is helped by a chassis that tracks the corners and absorbs the terrain below without any fuss; the suspension setup strikes a sound balance between comfort and ability, with or without a load on board.
In fact, such is the feeling of security that it evokes, you get the impression you're driving a much larger vehicle.
The 1.4-litre 70hp example performs adequately, but fails to fully win us over due to its lack of urge when carrying a considerable load, especially as it needs to be revved to keep things moving. And there's also mixed feelings regarding the five-speed box. It feels sloppy in action with ill-defined gates — not conducive to snappy changing around town
Cab comfort
For such a small vehicle, the Nemo's interior is impressively packaged, offering all the prerequisites we look for in a modern LCV.
And this includes the driving position, which comes with enough adjustment, including the favoured pump handle height adjuster, to get and remain comfortable.
There is, admittedly, reduced rear seat travel, but this is to be expected in a vehicle like the Nemo; and it didn't interfere with our handsome six-foot-plus tester staying at ease over long distances.
The ambience was further enhanced by a seat that is supremely comfortable; firm but fair would be the best description, with little of the butt ache we sometimes encounter after a two-hour-plus fuel run. We appreciated the space in the footwell, which includes a driver's foot rest (a feature that even the larger Relay hasn't got), however, the pedals were a little too tightly spaced for bigger feet.
Storage capacity ticks all the right boxes, with door bins with bottle holders present, as well as several central oddments trays and a cavernous glove box that will easily swallow A4 files.
Although for top marks, an overhead parcel shelf would be required.
We also appreciated the level of build quality and sound-proofing that combine well to reduce the interference of wind and road noise, imbuing the Citroen Nemo with a welcome feeling of security, particularly when in the chaos of the urban environment. •