Leader of the pack - Citroen Berlingo - Brief Article

The car derived van has almost died out. The car cube design, epitomised by the original Vauxhall Combo and Fiesta Courier, finally assumed the European style first seen on the likes of the old Renault Extra and Fiat Fiorino.

However, the PBVs (purpose built van), as they have come to be known, are showing the way forward. Using car parts but unique body shells, they have turned the tables as the Berlingo, Kangoo and Fiat Doblo Cargo have sired car models in their wake.

For courier operation or utility companies (the gas, electricity and telecoms industries love them) the PBVs represent an economical and driver-friendly approach.

The Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner has been widely recognised as the leader in this field. Now that Fiat's Doblo Cargo boasts common-rail power, has the French yardstick's main advantage been equalled? Utilising the company's top-of-the-range HDi common-rail diesel in 90bhp form, we set out to discover if the Berlingo can still claim to be the class leader.

The basics are certainly there. The Berlingo has a load length of 1700mm as a two-seater, extending to 2100mm on this LX version by folding the passenger seat for narrow loads. Tipping the backrest over onto the cushion makes a table for filling out delivery sheets, while flipping the whole seat over reveals an under-seat storage bin and allows the load to be accommodated. A driver's side load guard is fitted.

Load width is 1600mm at maximum, with 1190mm being accommodated between the wheel arches. With a capacity of 2.7[m.sup.3] (VDA) the load height is 567mm above the ground. Access is by a one-piece tailgate on this example, with an aperture of 1155mm high by 1270mm wide.

With 90bhp and 205Nm of torque at just 1900rpm, the Berlingo romps up the road. Use that torque to good effect and it will amble along in the higher gears, barely sipping diesel. However, don't expect too much of the low-rev performance. Sure, the HDi will pull away from 1200rpm or so, but down at this level it is surprisingly lumpy, and hunts noticeably more than the Doblo's JTD does.

However, the Berlingo is still a better proposition in the cab. The more open feel to the driving position is welcome for long stints in the saddle. The Doblo can feel a little enclosed and the Kangoo's seats can't match the Citroen's. From the driver's point of view, the Berlingo's accolades are deserved.

The HDi naturally endows the van with good fuel efficiency, but also its torque spread makes driving in the middle of the torque band child's play. As some of the more peaky direct-injected diesels have to use six ratios, in car applications and 2.6-tonners, the Berlingo can take virtually anything in its five-speed stride.

The competition is closing in, but for now the Berlingo/Partner combination still takes some beating.

DRIVER'S LOG

LIST PRICE: 9965 [pounds sterling] (+VAT)

ENGINE: 1997cc 90bhp four-cylinder direct-injected turbo

TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1785kg

PAYLOAD: 600kg

VOLUME: 2.7[m.sup.3]

COMPANY RATING: 8/10

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