Citroën Berlingo Van makes a leap
LAUNCHED in 1996 and produced in over 1.5 million units, the iconic Citroën Berlingo light commercial vehicle, dedicated to professionals, is now available in its third-generation version, called Berlingo Van. As with the passenger-car version, already available to order, New Berlingo Van makes a true generational leap in terms of styling and equipment.
Robust and fully consistent with the Brand’s identity, it gains new features for extra comfort and modularity. Designed for all uses, and adapted to all professions, the new model is available in 2 sizes, M and XL, and becomes closest to customer needs with 2 versions ‘Worker’ and ‘Driver’ according to philosophy and use thanks to their ground clearance, equipment levels or protection components.
Efficient with its large load volume, easy access and numerous cabin configurations, including the Extenso® Cab or the Crew Cab, it is the ideal partner for all professionals. New Citroën Berlingo Van is built on a new platform for better handling, more comfort and more security. Charting new territory in its segment, it is equipped with 20 driver assistance systems and 4 connectivity technologies together with latest-generation engines including the new BlueHDi 1.5 diesel, the PureTech 1.2 petrol and the EAT8 automatic gearbox. New Berlingo Van will be launched in late 2018.
With New Berlingo passenger car arriving in dealerships later this year, the Citroën brand has unveiled the third-generation LCV version of Ber- lingo intended for professionals, New Berlingo Van. A commercial vehicle market in which Citroën achieved 9.7% market share in 2017 in Europe and is positioned in third place on the podium, with almost 73 000 units. The brand’s legitimacy in small vans is underpinned by its pioneering past in the segment, having launched the legendary 2CV, C15 and Berlingo, as well as having introduced the first diesel, the first model with integrated load cell, and the first model with three front seats. Building on this strong heritage, New Berlingo Van marks the renewal of a best-selling vehicle.
A benchmark in ‘practical sense’ for professionals, Citroën Berlingo is a key player in its segment that has successfully innovated over the years. Since launch, it has been produced in over 1.5 million units worldwide, over 1.3 million of which in Europe and over 470,000 in France. An essential model, Berlingo enjoyed a record year in 2017 in France with over 27,000 registrations, up 4% on 2016. Today still, with already over 8,000 registrations, up 25% in first-quarter 2018, Berlingo alone accounts for 40% of Citroën’s LCV registrations and stands as the Brand’s top-selling LCV. Full of ambition, New Berlingo Van intends to continue its success story in its third-generation version, set for launch at the end of 2018.
This third LCV generation is a dynamic on-road performer and brings professionals true at-the-wheel pleasure and an optimised cost of use. Performance has been upgraded through the combination of a new light-weight platform and latest-generation fuel-efficient engines with low CO2 emissions.
New Berlingo Van is available with the PureTech 1.2 petrol engine and the BlueHDi 1.5 diesel, adapted to all uses, both in the city and out on the open road. The engine range respects the environment and delivers top-flight performance and controlled real-life fuel consumption. It is also equipped (depending on the engine) with the new-generation EAT8 automatic gearbox for enhanced driving pleasure over all distances.
Designed and developed in collaboration with the Japanese specialist Aisin, the eight-speed “Efficient Automatic Transmission” gearbox (with steering wheel paddles for manual gear changes) is both intuitive and seamless. In everyday use, it offers improved driving comfort and smoother gear shifting, made possible by optimised exchanges of torque between the engine and gearbox; the transition to eight speeds helps reduce the jump between gears at each gear shift.