New Citroen Berlingo Multispace – wastes none of it

Given that fuel prices remain volatile, road tax charges are increasing for the majority of cars, space on our roads will get worse, parking charges - if you can find a space - will get higher, and the rising cost of living is hurting the average family, then buying a sensible fuel efficient car for family use with the potential to carry luggage and loads easily is becoming more important day by day.

The latest forecast from the industry that new car prices will inevitably rise due to the increase in cost of raw materials and transportation is a further blow to consumers and manufacturers alike.

People and load carrying in affordable, compact lightweight bodyshell versatile seating cars with fuel-miser engines will be the future for mainstream models. Many of these cars are already with us and the new Citroen Berlingo Multispace is a good example of people and load space packaging.

Bigger and better’ is how Citroen describe their new Berlingo range.

Their new compact Berlingo van variants are now able to carry two Euro pallets - Euro pallets being the measuring criteria for commercial vehicles and the Berlingo Multispace MPV is just as roomy.

But the latest Multispace is no longer a Berlingo van with windows.

Both the commercial and passenger Berlingo ranges use the floorpan and running gear from their award winning C4 Picasso mid-sized MPV or people-carrier so the whole range uses passenger car architecture and therefore benefits from more sophisticated ride and performance qualities.

Citroen are big sellers of vans and MPVs of all sizes and as usual all these models benefit from the choice of fuel efficient, low CO2 emitting petrol and diesel engines and being Citroen – attractive competitive pricing.

The new Berlingo Multispace is such a vehicle. Its square boxy shape maximises interior passenger and load space, it seats five people with ease yet it remains compact in length, just 4,380mm long.

Load capacity ranges from 675 litres with the three rear seats in position and up to massive 3,000-litres with the rear seats removed.

Rear side sliding passenger doors makes it easy to get in and out of and the high and wide tailgate means it is easy to load. There is even enough headroom to fit the optional internal roof bars for long items such as skis eliminating the risk of theft and not impacting on fuel efficiency.

To go under the bonnet there is the choice of 1.6i 90 and 110bhp petrol and 1.6HDi 75, 90 and 110bhp diesel fuel efficient engines depending on whether VT, VTR or XTR specification levels are chosen.

Prices range from £10,995 up to £14,625 but heartland models are close to £12,000.

As is the current trend from manufacturers there is a wide range of extra cost options and option packs so the Multispace can be tailored to meet the exact needs of the wide range of customers who buy this type of vehicle, including the less able who need space for a wheelchair.

Unfortunately the very important safety function of an Electronic Stability Programme is a £350 extra cost option when it should be fitted as standard. Air conditioning is also an extra cost option for VT and VTR models costing between £620 and £750.

The original Berlingo Multispace was launched in the UK in 1998 and over 50,000 have been sold since then.

Europe’s number one manufacturer of MPVs and next year their Picasso people carrier range will be further expanded with the introduction of the ‘supermini’ sized C3 Picasso.