From clay models, through to very early previews of design prototypes, What Van? has been tracking the development of the Citroen Berlingo, and its Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo siblings, for a long time
The relationship between the three brands started more than four years ago when the K9 project, as it is known internally, began. Now, just months away from its January 2019 UK arrival, we’re finally able to drive it.
Based on the EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) used across the Citroen and Peugeot car ranges, the three K9 vans are actually a hybrid of this new modular chassis and the existing rear end. That means the loadspace remains the same while the front of the vehicle is able to be dramatically altered. The front overhang has been shortened, electric power steering has been introduced to facilitate new safety features, and high-strength steels and aluminium have been used to ensure large weight savings.
Load bay
Two wheelbase lengths will be available – short (L1) and long (L2) – in all three vans with a 350mm increase between the two sizes, while the total length for the L1 van is 4.4m and 4.7m for the L2. The 350mm wheelbase difference comes from a 190mm increase in the wheelbase length and a 160mm increase in the rear overhang.
Despite the rear platform being identical to the existing van, exact sizes, along with payload and load volumes, were not released to us. However, expect gross payloads of around 900kg and load volumes approaching 4.0m3.
Engine and gearbox
Power for all three vans will come from a slightly confusing choice of two diesel engines.
Due to emissions regulations, a 1.6-litre Euro6.1 engine will be on sale in some markets, including the UK, for the first nine months of production – however, a more powerful but smaller-capacity 1.5-litre BlueHDi Euro6.2-compliant engine will also be available at launch with a 130hp output.
The newer engine will eventually supersede the 1.6 and still be available with the same 75hp and 100hp outputs. A 1.2-litre Puretech petrol engine with 110hp and 130hp outputs can also be specified, with the higher-powered engine getting the new EAT8 auto transmission. This gearbox is also available on the 130hp diesel model and incorporates a stop function with the adaptive cruise control that allows the vehicle to slow to a standstill and then resume the cruise when in traffic.
A five-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard on both 1.6-litre models, while the 1.5-litre unit gets a six-speed manual.
As a compact van, it is likely to spend a high proportion of its time in the city where a quiet, capable engine pays dividends. The Euro6.2 1.5-litre unit certainly delivers on this. There’s plenty of sound deadening to mute its four-cylinder patter, but even from the outside it sings a discreet song. Vibrations through the cabin and steering wheel are minimal too.
It’s a sophisticated unit that matches the rest of the improvements. Even the slightly larger 1.6-litre Euro6.1 unit is a credible powertrain for the van.
Sadly, it’s not all good news as the matching gearboxes aren’t quite as well rounded. The five-speed manual in the 1.6-litre vehicles is a direct carry-over from the previous-generation vans. It feels notchy, coarse and unsophisticated in comparison to competitors.
The six-speed manual mated to the 1.5-litre unit is not much better, although an improvement of sorts. The extra ratio is definitely needed on higher outputs, but differences to the action of the five-speed are limited.
Modern city driving regularly involves a lot of stop-start traffic and pleasingly the auto transmission is the true gem of the range. While only available on the 130hp output models, it’s fast and pleasingly smooth. After driving the whole range it is this model that we’d recommend as it truly typifies the progress and sophistication the Citroen Berlingo and its joint-venture vans have made.
The Peugeot Partner
Interior and equipment
There are also some technological enhancements. Two key USPs are the onboard weighing system and the surround rear-vision camera. The first alerts you to the fact that you are at 90% of your total weight capacity, and then again when you are overloaded. The second system gives you a rear, side and reversing camera view of what is around you on a five-inch colour screen positioned in place of the rear-view mirror.
Both are options – although the overload indicator will feature as standard on ‘Work’ trim level – and both are brand new in the LCV segment.
Other smart systems seen elsewhere on rival products, but now included on the new vans, are traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, cornering lights, keyless entry, trailer stability control and distance alert, which warns of a possible forward collision.
Inside the three vehicles the changes are perhaps even more significant. The new interior is smart, well put together and above all else spacious, with different environments for each of the brands. Two- and three-seat options are available, with the centre seat in a three-seater also doubling up as a fold-down table for use as a mobile office.
There’s also a new design of the Extenso collapsible seat that allows 0.5m extra length to be carried thanks to a load-through bulkhead.
The stand-out interior design, however, is the Partner’s i-Cockpit. A reworking of Peugeot’s passenger car-designed interior, the i-Cockpit means the instrument cluster is mounted higher with different dials and gauges. The steering wheel is also flattened top and bottom, giving the interior a more modern feel.
With so many changes across the K9 platform, it’s hard not to get bogged down in the overall collective impact of the revisions. The new interior is far more comfortable and the tech is infinitely more impressive, but with many variants to choose from, it’s the engine and gearbox combination that needs careful consideration.
Catering for demand
A new line of ‘ready to go’ models of the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo will be launched alongside the other trim levels to better cater for customer demands.
New Worker and Driver models will line-up alongside traditional entry-level and high-spec trims to enable customers to have vans that are better suited to their working needs. Worker vans target businesses that transport equipment and get three front seats, a 30mm-plus raised ground clearance as well as a protective plate under the engine and enhanced traction control.
There’s also a Loading Pack fitted as standard with LED lighting in the load area, overload indicator, and 12V and 220V power sockets. Driver versions are for companies and their employees, and are geared more towards longer trips or urban deliveries. Ride comfort has been improved along with acoustic sound deadening. There are more driver assistance systems with cruise control and speed limiter, an automatic electronic parking brake and the Surround Rear Vision camera system.
These models will be available from all three brands, but it is Citroen – known for its Ready to Run vehicle line-up of tipper, dropside and Luton vans – that is best placed to take the offer to its traditionally SME customer base.
Matt Weston, Citroen LCV product manager, said the new models will be “a one-stop solution for customers requiring ‘a tool to do a job’. They see the value in something that is presented as a solution to do a job – i.e. a cordless drill is a tool readily available to them that will make a job easier and is worth the extra cost over a corded drill as they appreciate the value of the benefits it will provide.”
As well as simplifying the buying process for a variety of different industry customers, the new vans will also benefit from enhanced residual values.
“They will be versions in their own right as part of the standard range. Therefore, they will have their own identification within the industry, which will enable leasers to quote on them. The other obvious advantage with this is that they will benefit from RVs that reflect the enhanced specification,” Weston added.
George Barrow is the UK judge for the International Van of the Year, the prestigious prize awarded by leading European LCV journalists
Citroen Berlingo 1.5 130hp EAT8 Auto
Price (ex VAT) £18,905*
Price range (ex VAT) £14,500-20,000*
Insurance group 14E
Warranty 3yrs/100.000mls
Service intervals 20,000mls
Load length 2,050mm
Load width 1,620mm
Load bay height 1,250mm
Gross payload 900kg*
Load volume 4.0m3*
Engine size/power 1,499cc/130hp
Combined fuel economy tbc
CO2 tbc
* estimated
Vauxhall/Opel’s Combo
