TEST DRIVE - Citroën Berlingo 1.6L Van
Richard Scott takes the Citroën Berlingo for a test drive and discovers a real workhorse.
One of the first things I noticed while taking the Citroën Berlingo out for its first spin was the number of other Berlingos on the road. It’s a bit like buying a new coat, only to spot twenty other people wearing the same one as you walk home from the shop. They are everywhere. So I was keen to see if I could find the secret to their apparent popularity.
The van I tested is the 1.6L HDi Enterprise model, which has an RRP of just under £12K and comes with air conditioning, metallic paint and a CD player.
From first glance the cab seemed basic but rugged. The bulky plastic fittings brought to mind the almost indestructible properties of Duplo, though with varying shades of grey instead of bright primary colours. This type of durability should serve the cab and driver well through most eventualities and the array of cubbyholes offer generous opportunity to lose several shoeboxes worth of small items.
The driving position felt very upright, separating the Berlingo from the car/van hybrids. This is definitely a van. However, I did miss the option of adjusting the height of the driver’s seat, which would have increased comfort over long distances. The seating position will be perfect for multi-drop drivers needing to clamber in and out of the cab frequently. The passenger seat can also be folded down to form something approaching a desktop which would obviously prove useful for filling out paper work after a job.
Thankfully the Berlingo has a car-like all-round visibility, aided by the glass rear panels and more than ample headroom which create a pleasantly bright environment. The driver and passenger seats are protected by a ladder frame bulkhead, which can also be used for tethering load to.
With an empty cargo area the Berlingo’s 1.6L diesel engine felt nippy and willing and on country roads it was whisper quiet. The handling, while not razor sharp, was responsive enough to avoid any sense of wallow, thanks no doubt to the dual anti-roll bars and meaty 14in wheels.
When the van was fully loaded, the engine revealed itself as truly the star of the show. The 3m3 cargo area was laden with toolboxes, large cable reels and the heaviest thing known to man after a neutron star; a 1970s PA system. The engine coped brilliantly and when pulling away from a stationary position gave little sign of strain or lag. Cornering was equally untroubled with only a slight increase in body roll when negotiating a roundabout.
The one part of the Berlingo that seemed to suffer under the load we subjected it to was the removable rubber mat protecting the floor. It served its purpose well, with the load kept rooted to the spot and the floor shielded from dents and scratches. However, after one load the mat showed signs of gouging which suggested it may need to be replaced after only a short period of heavy, frequent use.
Along the motorway, the Berlingo’s engine again proved a capable workhorse displaying brisk acceleration in both 4th and 5th gears. Although the ride was extremely comfortable, with the cargo area empty the wind noise produced along its unprotected side panels grew a little irritating. This is another nudge in the direction of short distance or multi-drop drivers, which is a shame as the load capacity, ride comfort and fuel economy lend themselves equally to other uses.
Overall, the Berlingo comprehensively justified its ubiquity over the week we had it at EPA HQ. Its engine is honest and hardworking and the build quality faces up to the rigours of most day to day commercial environments. With a few minor tweaks it could be made more comfortable for a wider variety of applications.
Citroën are well known for their innovative ideas, though with the Berlingo, the success is simply down to intuitive design and straightforward practicality.
The Spec – Citroën Berlingo 600 1.6HDi Enterprise
RRP: £11,195 + VAT + delivery (with 2 year unlimited mileage/3 year 100,000 mile warranty)
Capacity: 1560cc
Power: 90hp @ 4000rpm
Turning circle: 11.67m
External dimensions: Length – 4137mm
Width – 1724mm
Height – 1819mm
Internal dimensions: Load deck length – 1700mm (extendible to 2100mm)
Load height – 1246mm
Load deck height – 567mm
Load width (max) – 1600mm
Load compartment volume – 3.0cu.m
Gross vehicle weight: 1730kg
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