Citroen Relay Van
The panel van market has traditionally been a tough place to operate and thats certainly the case at present. The smallest difference in cost, capacity or specification can be enough to swing that big order or have buyers walking away in their droves and the fierce competition isnt eased by the top manufacturers joining forces to sell alternatively-badged versions of the same van. Despite these difficulties, Citroen have managed to keep their Relay up amongst the frontrunners and the current model could have the legs to kick home down the finishing straight once the manufacturers famous special offers materialise.
It wasnt so long ago that panel vans were the dullest-looking things imaginable. Rather like with washing machines, the various manufacturers had hit on a basic shape that worked and, come hell or high fuel prices, they were sticking to it. Telling the leading contenders apart without recourse to the badges on their grilles was like picking Wayne Rooney from a line-up of strategically shaved gorillas. Then, suddenly, somebody cottoned on to the fact that not all panel vans were purchased by a cold-hearted fleet manager with a calculator.
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There are those headlamps, mounted out of harms way just below the windscreen, that curve upwards to points like the horns on one of Desperate Dans cowpies. Then check out the grill low down within in the line of the bumper. In a look lifted from the manufacturers passenger car line-up, its Citroen double chevrons are reduced to upward kinks knocked into parallel chrome bars. From the side, theres a double bubble effect where the bulge of the bonnet meets that of the deep bumper to create a heavy swage line that extends down both flanks just above the wheelarches.
Conventionally-styled this van is not.
"The Relay is designed to be rigid and this produces benefits across the board"
Of course, theres only so much free reign that the pen men can be allowed where a panel van is concerned. The rear end must retain capacity and functionality, so the Relay gets the traditional boxy back to balance out its unorthodox frontage. Theres obviously a wide Range of body sizes available - four lengths, three wheelbases and three heights, if youre counting - and these allow a Range of load volumes that extend from 8 m3 up to a truly sizable 17 m3. The Relay can manage some seriously hefty cargos as well, with gross vehicle weights extending up to 4 tonnes.
In addition to the various loadbay options, there are window van models, single or double cab options and combi minibuses as well as the usual factory-built conversions using the chassis cab and platform cab derivatives. A great deal of emphasis has been placed on rendering the Relay as user-friendly as possible. The loading height can be as little as 53cm, depending on the model, and this can be reduced by a further 7cm if you specify the optional air suspension. The double rear doors open to 180 degrees and an optional modification is available to allow 270 degree opening, access is via a wide non-slip step and there are even further steps cut into the bumper at the front so you can climb up to clean the windscreen.
Inside the cab, the design is less dramatic than that of the exterior but it is thoughtfully executed. There are no less than ten storage compartments including a lockable glovebox with room for a laptop, big door pockets, under-seat spaces and an overhead shelf. This Relay even retains the dash-top clipboard that proved popular in the previous model; it flips up to hold delivery notes or maps within the drivers eye line but seems flimsier than before. All Relay models feature Trafficmaster satellite navigation as standard and this will be a major selling point.
Thoughtfully, the manufacturer has also laid-on a comprehensive options list so that its quite possible for user choosers or generous bosses to really go to town. All models feature an overspeed warning to help drivers stay within the limit but theres also an optional speed limiter that makes breaking it impossible. Automatic headlamps and wipers are also standard but theres a reversing camera, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation and all sorts of other technological titbits to consider as options - if you have the spare cash. Panel vans have been getting increasingly powerful in line with their increasingly individual aesthetics and the Relay has not been left behind.
Buyers select from three engine options, each utilising the manufacturers HDi common-rail injection technology. The entry-level 100bhp 2.2-litre HDi is the only one fitted with a five speed manual gearbox with the 120bhp 2.2-litre unit and the Range-topping 160bhp 3.
0-litre both getting 6-speed transmissions. Models featuring these two more powerful engines also receive variable power steering to aid low speed manoeuvring. The Relay is designed to be rigid and this produces benefits across the board in terms of road manners, on-board comfort and safety. The van rides on independent McPherson strut suspension at the front with load carrying duties at the rear taken care of by single leaf springs.
There is also the option of double leaf rear suspension for operators planning on carrying big loads or the pneumatic self-levelling system. All models get ABS with brake assist but ESP stability control with its hill start assist function is optional on some versions. The drivers airbag is standard with the passenger, side and curtain bags found only on the options list. The Relay handles very neatly, remaining composed in the corners and smooth on the straights, refinement could be better and the interior materials arent quite up with the class best.
The way the Citroen Relay looks will doubtless come as an initial shock to operators used to the unadventurous visuals that characterised the previous generation of panel vans. They should grow accustomed to it, however, especially with the Relays Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato sister vehicles sporting the same eye-catching facade out on the roads. A panel van market where the leading protagonists show a bit of character has got to be a good thing and the Relay certainly ranks amongst the top dogs.
Facts At A Glance VAN: Citroen Relay van Range ENGINES: 100bhp 2.2HDi/ 120bhp 2.2HDi/ 160bhp 3.0HDi MAX PAYLOADS: 1,000kg-2,000kg LOAD VOLUMES: 8m3-17m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHTS: 3.0t, 3.3t, 3.5t, 4.
0t
