Citroen Berlingo L2 Van Range : THE LONGER WAY ROUND

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Citroen's Berlingo is a top compact van but with a bit more space it looks even better. Steve Walker checks out the L2 derivatives

There's nothing too clever or complicated about the Citroen Berlingo L2. It's a Berlingo with a bit more space in the back and as such, it works very well. The Citroen's core strengths of comfort, value and practicality are retained and you can get more in the back.

There are that many vans on the market these days and that many different derivatives of the models there are that buyers could almost specify their preferred model down to the last kilogram of payload or the last litre of load volume. Even Citroen's Berlingo, a compact van of the type not usually available in a range of bodystyles, can be ordered in extended L2 form. You'd think that the extra capacity might not change much but if it's the difference between fitting the things you need to inside or leaving them behind, it could prove invaluable. You could level the criticism at some manufacturers that, in terms of importance, their commercial vehicles come a poor second to their passenger cars. This is understandable as the potential sales volumes in the car sector usually dwarf those in van land. Any right-thinking company will divert resources to where they can generate the biggest incomes but the trick is to make sure that van buyers still feel like they're important. From the dealer level right up to the boardroom, Citroen does that better than most. It's a commitment that has been rewarded by businesses across Europe where one in seven Citroen products sold is a commercial vehicle. The Berlingo L2 is powered exclusively by the Berlingo's gutsiest engine. The 90bhp 1.6-litre HDi might not sound like much but it delivers its 215Nm maximum torque from just 1,750rpm. The Berlingo L2 tips the scales at a gross vehicle weight of around 2,130kg, which is roughly 200kg more than the original. As a result, performance isn't particularly sprightly but that sizable torque output ensures there's enough pulling power for most situations you'll encounter. Fuel economy is another major boon with the diesel engine returning 48.5mpg.

"With a load volume of 4.1m3, it's quite a sizeâ€¦.."

The latest Berlingo actually shares its basic platform with the Citroen C4 Picasso MPV. It uses independent front suspension and a transverse beam with angled shock absorbers at the rear with anti-roll bars featuring at both ends. On the road, this larger Berlingo feels less agile and immediate in its responses than the original but most operators will accept a slight loss there, and in terms of cornering body control, because the van's ride comfort and refinement are both very impressive. Road and engine noise are well contained making sure that big distances fly by and the steering is light, combining with the tight 11m turning circle to aid manoeuvring. Only the five-speed manual gearbox is a real let down with its sloppy long throw action. The L2 Citroen Berlingo tacks an extra 250mm of internal load length onto the 3,000mm in the standard L1 bodystyle. It also adds 0.4m3 to the total load volume that's available. With items up to 2050mm and a volume of 3.7m3 able to be slotted inside, this is a good sized van and might even make some operators consider the merits of larger panel van offerings. The payload capacity is 746kg and anyone requiring even more space can specify the EXTENSO passenger seat that folds down to make a load length of 3250mm and a load volume of 4.1m available. The space in the rear is accessed through side hinged rear doors which open to nearly 180 degrees and reveal a compartment that's never less than 1,229mm wide. Sliding side doors are standard on the L2 derivatives for added convenience. The loading lip at the rear is nice and low and the load bay gets excellent protection from its contents courtesy of panelling that extends halfway up the sides of the vehicle. The standard bulkhead is a ladder frame behind the driver's seat only and an unusual touch is the load compartment light that can be detached and used as a torch. Internally, the Citroen Berlingo is an impressive piece of work with good quality materials and neat design. The storage space is abundant and clever solutions abound ready to swallow up all the paraphernalia of your working day. In the two-seater Berlingo, the single passenger seat folds down to reveal a desk and cup holders. The space in the Berlingo's cabin is immediately noticeable. It's wide with plenty of room for driver and passenger. Problems start to arise when you specify the three-seat model, a highly unusual inclusion on a van of this size. The protruding dash mounted gear lever makes the middle berth virtually uninhabitable by anyone with legs and Citroen's claim that this "occasional seat" is ideal for young children seems a moot point. The few remaining chimney sweeps might be interested but in this day and age, taking your child to work on a daily basis is rightfully frowned upon. The real advantage of the Extenso cabin, as the three-seater layout is known, is the ability to fold the outer passenger seat down to increase the load length available. You can also flip the seat cushion up to make a handy storage area on the cab floor. Citroen offers the Berlingo in two trim levels, X and LX. Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, a trip computer, a CD stereo, central locking, electric front windows and internally adjustable door mirrors. The LX adds remote central locking, heated electric wing mirrors and an external temperature sensor. There's also the considerable pulling power of a standard Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and vehicle tracking system. An interesting option is the All-Road pack which is designed for Berlingos regularly faced with rough surfaces with larger tyres and under body protection. It would be understandable if people who maintain a close eye on the light commercial vehicle market were mildly flummoxed by the Citroen Berlingo. The various small van contenders used to fit into convenient market sectors but Citroen has branched out in offering this larger Berlingo model along with the smaller Nemo which sits below. The Berlingo is tasked with pinching sales from the smaller models in the panel van sector as well as doing battle with direct competitors like Ford's long wheelbase Transit Connect and the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi. Citroen's spread of commercial vehicle carrying capacities has never looked more comprehensive. From the diminutive Nemo to the bulky Relay and with various car-derived models in between, the line-up holds something for the vast majority of business requirements. The Berlingo L2 sits somewhere in the middle of the range below the Dispatch panel van but at the upper end of the Berlingo line-up and with a load volume of 4.1m3, it's quite a size. The Berlingo is a very cost-effective and user-friendly product that's enhanced by the presence of its extended L2 derivative. With the back-up of Citroen's extensive commercial vehicle dealer network, the package only looks more attractive.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Citroen MODEL: Berlingo L2 BHP: 90bhp PAY
LOAD CAPACITY: 745kg - 749kg LOAD VOLUME: 3.7m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2,130kg - 2,150kg LENGTH: 4,628mm WIDTH: 1,810mm HEIGHT: 1,812mm-1,840mm