New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Citroën updates Berlingo & Dispatch for 2012
We exclusively revealed Peugeot’s plans to update the Partner and Expert back in January (see News Story) and naturally Citroën has followed suit with its versions of the same vans; the Berlingo and Dispatch.Externally, Berlingo gains a wider, more defined grille, new headlight/indicator clusters and more aerodynamic door mirrors. Detail changes have also been made to the facia and instrumentation package. It’s now available with Grip Control for increased traction, incorporating hill-start assist. HDi and e-HDi versions can now be specified with a fixed speed limiter enabling a permanent maximum speed to be set from a choice of four available limits.
The e-HDi 90 Airdream models, which feature an automatic Stop & Start system, can now be specified with an automated version (EGS6) of the six-speed manual gearbox, bringing with it the benefits of clutchless driving. Auto, Neutral, Reverse and Manual are selected using a fascia-mounted dial. The icing on the cake is that steering column-mounted paddles are used for gearchanges in Manual mode, a first for this sector of the van market.Like Berlingo, Dispatch gains a new front-end (see picture below) featuring a wide chromed grille. It’s additionally available with hill-start assist and the same speed limiter functionality as Berlingo. Grip Control is available for the first time with the driver able to select one of four modes; Normal, All-Terrain, Snow or Sand. This anti-skid option optimises traction and adapts to all driving conditions. An optional tyre pressure monitor can also be specified across the range.
Citroën has also announced that it has withdrawn the Berlingo First (the original-shaped Berlingo) from the UK market, following an illustrious 16-year history.
