Citroen’s massively popular Berlingo commercial van has been improved for 2012 but the sharp, prices remain - $19,990 for the standard boy and $22,990 for the 4.1 cubic metre long body.
Citroen Berlingo standard body runs a 66kW, 1.6-litre petrol engine (63kW 1.2-litre petrol for the $21,990 entry-grade Volkswagen Caddy) while the long-body Citroen Berlingo is powered by a 66kW turbo-diesel with a handy 215Nm on-tap.
The Citroen Berlingo rides on the same chassis as the C4 Picasso Coupe but has been crafted from the ground up as a van – so the driver sits high (as preferred by van drivers) and the van ‘box’ blends seamlessly.
Apart from the fresh, new looks, also new for 2012 Citroen Berlingo is more spacious and luxurious inside and there are lots of clever storage boxes in the cab (including one on the drivers’ side behind the dashboard).
In many ways Citroen pioneered city delivery vans way back in the days of the Citroen TUB and 2CV vans – with more than three million sold (it seems just about every second car in Paris is a Berlingo!) - it’s clear the French giant remains committed to success in this market segment.
“Citroen has worked closely with business operators around the world to ensure that the new Berlingo provides the optimum combination of lead carrying efficiency, driver/passenger comfort and safety, performance and economy,” explained Mile Williams, Citroen Australia chief.
