Citroen DISPATCH VAN RANGE
Citroen Have Shoehorned Their Dispatch Van Into The Slim Gap Left Between Their Popular Berlingo Hi-Cube And Relay Panel Van Ranges. Will The Recent Facelift Have The Desired Effect And Help Boost The Vehicles Sales Success? Steve Walker Takes A Look...
Not quite a fully-fledged panel van, but a distinct step up from the smaller hi-cube models, the Citroen Dispatch cuts an intriguing dash whether its pounding the motorways or unloading on the double yellow lines outside your local greengrocers. Theres no mystery surrounding who this model will appeal to. It targets men, women and businesses who cant cram the tools of their trade into anything smaller, but find that the self-same objects rattle around too much in the greater space offered by the larger breed of commercial vehicle. The only question is, are there enough of these like-minded individuals about to propel the Dispatch to greatness?
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Not quite a fully-fledged panel van, but a distinct step up from the smaller hi-cube models, the
Citroen Dispatch cuts an intriguing dash whether its pounding the motorways or unloading on the double yellow lines outside your local greengrocers. Theres no mystery surrounding who this model will appeal to. It targets men, women and businesses who cant cram the tools of their trade into anything smaller, but find that the self-same objects rattle around too much in the greater space offered by the larger breed of commercial vehicle. The only question is, are there enough of these like-minded individuals about to propel the Dispatch to greatness? The latest Dispatch features a thoroughly revised front end with a re-sculpted bonnet, bigger, more prominent headlights and a beefed-up grille proudly displaying the Citroen chevrons.
The changes here are predominantly cosmetic and, while they might not provide a huge boost to the vans aesthetics, they certainly freshen-up a product thats been in service since 1996. More practical changes include a deeper wrap-around front bumper and enlarged side protection mouldings to guard against minor abrasions. The standard specification has been enhanced too. We are told by Citroen that the Dispatch is similar in length to a medium sized family car and, rather that take the tape measure to the car park, well take their word for it.
What this means in the real world is that the vehicle can be parked effortlessly in a standard pay and display parking bay or in that roadside space that youve spent ages trawling the city centre for. Its also a distinct advantage for simply getting around town, nipping through gaps in traffic, negotiating tight corners etc. Thats not to say you cant do this in a larger panel van: its just that the Dispatch has the dimensions to ease the whole process and minimise any drama.
"Ride comfort is good, steering accurate and if you feel like chucking the van about a bit to make that important delivery on time, it should be up to the job."
Matched to the vans comparatively compact size is a respectable load area in the back. For those not overly familiar with commercial vehicle specification lists, the 4 cubic meters offered is fairly standard for this kind of vehicle. The space is accessible through a pair of sliding side doors and twin hinged doors at the rear - theres no tailgate option. Once youre inside the standard spec version, theres lighting, lashing points and a ladder frame bulkhead behind the drivers
seat.
The rear doors come unglazed, giving added security, but you can specify glazed doors, and/or a full steel bulkhead with window, should safety and rear visibility be high priorities. Additional safety specification runs to three-point belts on all three front seats, with pre-tensioning devices, as well as adjustable headrests all-round. A drivers airbag is now standard on all Dispatch models as is power steering and a CD player. Drivers will like the high specification on the basic L variants and the LX goes beyond that but the pinnacle that every user-chooser must lust after is the range-topping Enterprise specification.
This model adds remote-central locking (a real boon on a vehicle with this many doors) and ABS brakes. Citroen are also keen to emphasise the effectiveness, in van terms, of the Dispatchs suspension system. The McPherson struts at the front are the cutting edge and favoured by most manufacturers, while the coil-sprung rear arrangement is designed to give maximum travel with minimal variation in laden and unladen ride height. Together, the two methods work well to keep the Dispatch on the straight and narrow.
Ride comfort is good, steering accurate and if you feel like chucking the van about a bit to make that important delivery on time, it should be up to the job. Recent improvements to the noise insulation are also welcome. The Citroen Dispatch range pans out in run-of-the-mill fashion. Youve got your panel van, your window van and your Combi 6-seater minibus, as well as the basic platform cab ready and able to take all sorts of specialist alterations.
There are two engines, an uncomplicated, no-nonsense 1.9-litre diesel and a hi-tec, state-of-the-art 2.0TD HDi unit with all the bells and whistles. The 1.
9 is good enough, quiet and smooth on the road, but its 71bhp output may be found wanting in certain circumstances. The common rail turbocharged option is preferable if your budget can stretch. With 110bhp, it will haul a 900kg payload, as opposed to the 1.9s 815kg capacity - and itll prove a lot more fun to boot.
The HDi also now comes with ventilated front disc brakes for more secure stopping. Behind the wheel of the Dispatch, the first thing youll notice is the dashboard-mounted gear lever. This innovation is simple to use but more importantly, it frees up space allowing the inclusion of the third front seat. The driving position can be adjusted to your hearts content through the rake, reach and height controls on the seat.
You sit quite high with a commanding view of the road via the extensive glass area but, with the controls tuned correctly, a very car-like driving experience is attainable. There are useful door-mounted storage bins as well as a decent-sized glovebox cum drinks-holder, so your odds and ends should be easily locatable. Equipment-wise, the Dispatch is now quite well-endowed, but the prospect of metallic paint, air-conditioning and other niceties may tempt you to run your finger down options list but, remember, the Dispatch is a workhorse not a show pony. Think what youll actually use it for and the standard spec model should tick all the boxes.
At £11,160 for the 1.9D and £12,640 for the 2.0 HDi, excluding VAT, Citroens Dispatch is competitively priced compared to equivalent models from other marques and its new look should bring it more readily to the attention of buyers. The engines are economical, the ride is a comfortable one and the design is versatile.
If a full-blown panel van is too big, a hi-cube too small and cost a consideration, the Citroen Dispatch could be the vehicle to suit you.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Citroen Dispatch Van ENGINE: 1.9D/2.0 HDi DIMENSIONS: length/height 4440/1940mm GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2,315kg (HDi panel van)
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