Citroen BERLINGO MULTISPACE 2.0 HDi
It seems the van-based MPV sector is one of the hottest tickets in town at the moment and the Citroen Berlingo Multispace is spearheading a good proportion of that growth. In its latest guise, Citroen have driven the Berlingo upmarket, making it a little more car-like in the process. The 2.0-litre HDi engine is the pick of the range, making this a model that is capable of springing some surprises.
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2002 saw sales top 7,000 units with volumes reaching 800 per month towards the end of the year. Part of this rapid sales growth is directly attributable to the latest styling changes that have given the Berlingo a far more sophisticated look. The Berlingo 2.0 HDi now features front bumpers that are deeper and colour-keyed rather than regulation black, whilst the front wings, bonnet and grille have been revised.
Smart 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps are fitted on certain models. Clear-lensed headlamps meanwhile ape the C3 look. Catch a glimpse of the Berlingo approaching in your rear view mirror and its easy to mistake it for a Land Rover Freelander! Whilst Citroen wont be gatecrashing that market anytime soon, the Berlingo certainly merits respect. Yes, it is cheap and cheerful, but its also a car that ruthlessly targets a specific market.
Its a market that values rugged, inexpensive family transport.
"The Multispace HDis 13.2-gallon fuel tank translates into a cruising range on motorways of an incredible 745 miles. Thats London to Marseilles in one hit!"
Any logical appraisal would, at this juncture, examine whether it really is fun or whether its just not half as bad as expected, but a self appointed panel of experts (OK the staff from the office downstairs) tried it and gave it the thumbs up. Theres scientific rigour for you. The 90bhp 2.0-litre HDi engine may not be hugely powerful, but seeing as most of the Multispace is fresh air, it doesnt really need to be.
Its capable of hauling this generously proportioned cube from rest to 60mph in a relatively impressive 13.4 seconds although with a top speed of 99mph, the outside lane of the autobahn is not this cars native environ. One side effect of being light on its feet is fuel consumption. Even around town, the Multispace HDi will return an impressive 37.
7mpg, although a more indicative figure for its all-round parsimony is the 47.9mpg combined figure. Its commercial roots are betrayed by its big 13.2-gallon fuel tank which translates into a cruising range on motorways of an incredible 745 miles.
Thats London to Marseilles in one hit! Its also a good deal better than the 1.9D engine that has been the traditional diesel mainstay of the Multispace series. Still, at an extra £1,000 over and above the price of the 1.9D, the 2.
0-litre HDi should be a better powerplant. Little prepares you for quite how much better it is. As well as an additional 5mpg, youll get to 60mph over three seconds quicker and your top speed will be another 11mph less legal should you tick the box marked HDi. Run a Multispace 2.
0-litre HDi for three years and youll claw back £350 of the upfront price in superior fuel economy and around £480 in the 2.0-litre models superior resale value. With the 1.9D model emitting 181 grammes of CO2 per km and the 2.
0-litre HDi issuing a mere 152, it doesnt take a rocket scientist, or indeed the work-shy staff from downstairs to work out which is the better buy. The interior has also come in for a makeover. The dashboard now features a centrally-mounted display screen, a better steering wheel with stereo controls and a number of revised stowage areas. A Comfort Pack option offers aircraft-style trays on the back of the front seats, front folding armrests and Citroens Modubox system in the boot.
Priced at an almost laughable £60, this is one box well worth ticking when specifying your Berlingo. Although the Berlingo still represents an inexpensive way of transporting a growing family, its no longer the basic 2CV successor many once reckoned it to be. After all, how many 2CVs were fitted with digital multiplex wiring that allows a guide me home function on the headlights or progressive dimming cabin lights? The sophisticated electronics also make the fitting of functions such as a key fob operated location facility, automatic door locking and speed sensitive stereo volume simplicity itself. Safety has been bumped up too, with the current car now incorporating a reinforced body structure that significantly improves impact resistance.
An optional Safety Pack should really have been made standard equipment. This include anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, a front passenger airbag and side lateral airbags. In coupling a high-tech diesel engine with neat electronic convenience features and a no-nonsense washnwear appeal to motoring, Citroen appear to be onto a winner with the Berlingo Multispace 2.0 HDi.
Try it. Whats the worst that can happen? You might even love it.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Citroen Berlingo Multispace 2.0-litre HDi
PRICE: £11,195 - £11,795 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 5
CO2 EMISSIONS: 152g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.4s / Max Speed 99mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 39.2 (extra urban) 57.6 (Combined) 49.6mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Drivers Airbag, Front Seatbelt Pretensioners WILL IT FIT INTO YOUR GARAGE: Length/Width/Height mm 4108/1819/1802
