Citroen RELAY VAN RANGE
Has Citroens Latest Relay Panel Van Got What It Takes To Push On, Giving The Competition A Run For Their Money Or Has Something Important Been Lost Along The Way? Steve Walker Reports
Citroen have made significant in-roads into the panel van sector with their Relay model. The current version is said to feature improved comfort, safety, efficiency and reliability, matched to greater model choice. If these are claims designed to give rivals a bad case of the jitters, then they could well have the desired effect - especially when you factor-in Citroens traditionally aggressive pricing policy. Theres no doubt that the Relay will secure its fair share of customers.
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Whether it can go beyond that, and just how far beyond, remains to be seen.
Theres not much to choose between most of the major contenders in the large panel van sector at the best of times and in the case of the
Citroen/
Peugeot/
Fiat models, or indeed those from the
Vauxhall/
Renault/
Nissan partnership, theres even less. The situation comes as a consequence of some convoluted motor industry politics, and results in each one of the two trios putting out a standardised van that is superficially rebadged (and occasionally re-engined) to take its place in the different manufacturers showrooms. Fiats Ducato, Peugeots Boxer and Citroens Relay are, therefore, almost identical. Unless youve some strong preference for Citroens double chevrons on your bonnet as opposed to Peugeots rearing lion, its hard to choose between them on the basis of their design or construction.
In a way, this is a good thing though. Panel van buying decisions are complex enough in view of the huge numbers of variations in which each van can be specified. Anything that eases the burden of the poor, put-upon fleet buyers and business users must surely be a good thing.
"The three-
seat cabin is nicely fitted out in tough plastics with well-placed, idiot-proof controls."
The Citroen Relay is offered in a perplexing number of different varieties. This makes for an extremely lengthy price list and a great range of choice for the customer. In order to father such an immense extended family for the Relay, Citroen provide three basic models, the 1100, 1500 and 1800. These are divided on the basis of their gross vehicle weights (2.
9t, 3.3t and 3.5t respectively). On top of this, youve got four wheelbases (short, medium, long and extra long) to cater for differing load length requirements.
Next, the van body itself can be supplied in three heights (standard, high roof and extra high roof). You can also go for a window van if you like or, failing that, delve into the collection of chassis cabs, chassis crew cabs, platform cabs, chassis scuttles and chassis semi-scuttles: these come ready to take whatever specialist modifications you so desire. Even with so many possible combinations contained within the Relay range, Citroen refuse to rule out further additions as and when the need arises. If youve managed to get your head around that little lot, prepare to take the step up to a whole new level of bamboozlement. Its time to look at the engine options.
Of the four powerplants on offer, two first appeared in this version of the Relay while the other pair saw limited service towards the end of the previous models reign. The old favourites are the 2.0-litre HDi diesel with its 86bhp and the powerful 2.8HDi that can generate 127bhp at 3,600rpm.
The former acts as standard power for the Relay 1100 and some 1500 models, while the latter will provide the drive needed in vehicles with more weighty duties. Supplementing these two engines are another diesel, a 104bhp 2.2-litre HDi, and a 2.0-litre petrol unit with 110bhp at its disposal.
All the Relays oil-burners are advanced turbocharged common-rail affairs, so economy is impressive and its the first time that Citroens large panel van has been available with a petrol option - yet more choice for buyers. Visually, the Relay displays a number of tidy developments. A larger three-bar grille on the nose incorporates an up-scale, more prominent Citroen badge, while the front bumper below has deeper more purposeful indents. It all adds extra character and gives the Relay about as much individuality as is possible in the panel van arena where functionality is the prime directive.
Move further backwards and youll spot the thick side rubbing strips running the vehicles length between the wheel arches. These should prevent damage to metalwork and pricey resprays in the event of a minor parking shunt. At the rear, the lights are arranged along the sides of the double doors and the restyled rear bumper doubles as a usefully wide step when accessing the load area. Make the step up to the commanding driving position and youll be greeted with a pleasant sight.
The three-seat cabin is nicely fitted out in tough plastics with well-placed, idiot-proof controls. One complaint would be that Citroen had overplayed the grey card in our test vehicle and it did create something of a dreary visage with seats, dashboard and door inserts all chipping in. On the plus side, the dash-mounted gear lever makes cross-cabin clambering easier and theres quite a bit of storage space including a neat mobile phone/drinks can holder. Equipment, even on the entry-level models, is generously supplied.
Central locking, electric front windows and heated, electrically adjustable, door mirrors are standard, as are a clever document clipboard above the stereo and an ingenious folding centre passenger seat -this doubles as a desktop, complete with laptop computer clamp for the van man with his finger on the pulse. The Citroen Relay is priced at competitive levels whether compared to its in-house Peugeot and Fiat counterparts or to the other popular panel vans from
Ford, Vauxhall and Renault. If we ignore the small matter of VAT, £12,300 is the entry-level price but your local Citroen dealer can probably be prompted to come up with a special offer or two - if you negotiate hard enough. The range is huge, so you can specify the size of Relay Van that your business needs and theres little on which to fault the modern fuel-efficient engines.
Long service intervals are another boon and then theres always the unique choice of 2-year unlimited mileage or 3-year 100,000-mile warranties. Citroen dont appear to be in danger of dropping the baton with this Relay and theres little doubt that many panel van buyers will have it firmly in contention as their decision making process enters the finishing straight.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Citroen Relay Van ENGINE: 2.0 petrol/2.0HDi/2.2HDi/2.
8HDi MAX PAYLOAD: 1,145kg (1100 SWB)/ 1,635kg (1800 LWB Hi-Roof) GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2.9t (1100) 3.3t (1500) 3.5t (1800)
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