Auto Channel

Leisure activity vehicle

Last Sunday hopes were high for a new Citroen C4 Crossover, or C5 Cabriolet, or even a new C8 MPV. Instead we get to kick the new year off with the Citroen Berlingo, a Leisure Activity Vehicle which can double as an LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle).

The new Berlingo will go on sale in the second half of 2008, right next to the current Berlingo which will be rebranded as the entry-level Berlingo First. Power in the new Berlingo comes from, amongst others, a 110 hp Hdi Diesel engine with diesel particulate filter.

The passenger version combines saloon-like comfort with MPV practicality, just like the Renault Kangoo, its biggest competitor. The new Berlingo has a longer wheelbase and uses the C4 Picasso running gear, which answers a reader's question, the Berlingo is one size bigger (4.38 m length) than the new Nemo van (3.86 m length) and a size smaller than the Jumpy.

The Berlingo LCV has a cargo area of 3.3 m3 (up to 850 kg and can house two Europallers width-size). Optional is the Extenso modular cabin which allows for loads up to 3 meters long and increases load capacity to 3.7 m3 or seats for three people in the front.

Press Release

With the Berlingo, Citroën created the leisure activity vehicle segment and launched a new concept in compact vans. Its innovative qualities appealed to private and professional customers alike, making it a huge commercial success. It has been the clear leader in the leisure activity vehicle segment in Europe (17 countries) since 2003. Worldwide, Citroën has sold more than 1,760,000 Berlingos (cars and LCVs) since launch in 1996.

The New Berlingo will go on sale in second-half 2008. It will be sold alongside the current Berlingo model, which will be available in some countries as an entry-level offering called “Berlingo First”. This strategy will enable the Marque to better meet the highly diverse needs of its customers.

New Citroën Berlingo car: The comfort of a saloon and the practicality of an MPV

Adapting to all situations, the Berlingo meets customers’ growing needs for freedom and versatility in use.

The New Berlingo retains the ultra-functional, family-friendly character of the original and strengthens its personality with dynamic, upmarket styling that also identifies it immediately as a Citroën. It boasts saloon-like levels of comfort – acoustics in particular – and MPV-style practicality (tailgate with opening window, three independent removable seats in row two, a redesigned Modutop® and an overhead storage rack). It is also a great car to drive, thanks to a longer wheelbase and C4 Picasso running gear.

And with its 110 bhp HDi diesel engine fitted with a particulate filter (DPFS), the New Berlingo carries the Airdream environmental signature that denotes the greenest models in Citroën’s range.

New Citroën Berlingo LCV: Practical and functional, yet strong on styling and comfort

The compact van version of the New Berlingo is big on load volume, payload and versatility, which are key features for professionals. It has a huge loading area (3.3 m3, up to 850 kg of payload and 1.8 m of useful length) that can take two Europallets width-wise, and is available with an Extenso® modular cabin, able to transport loads up to 3 metres long and increase useful load to 3.7 m3 or seat three people at the front.

The New Berlingo also offers passengers saloon-like levels of equipment for comfort and driving pleasure, including hill start assist, a height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, C4 Picasso running gear and ESP. The New Berlingo is a modern working tool that confers prestige on its owners through its robust and dynamic styling.

The launch of the New Berlingo follows those of new Jumper, new Jumpy and Citroën’s latest compact van, Nemo. Citroën thus offers professionals the largest and most complete line-up of light commercial vehicles in its history, covering a wide range of needs, from 2.5 m3 to 17 m3 of load volume and up to two tonnes of payload.