Test drive Citroen Berlingo 1996 - 2002 Minivan

All photos of Citroen Berlingo 1996 - 2002

In appearance a truck

There are no many shelves, cells and pockets
Citroen Berling debuted in 1996. It is produced in France and in Russia. In the latter case, under the name Doninvest Orion-M/›Doninvest Orion-M. It is equipped with a 1.4 liter gasoline engine, 55 kW/75 liters. With. or diesel 1.9 l, 51 kW/69 l. With.

The goods are face

Citroen Berlingo is produced in cargo and cargo -passenger versions, which differ both inside and outside - at least the number of doors. The cargo has two or three on the sides and one behind - for the cargo. The option of both ours and yours - cargo -passenger - can have four or five doors. With two rear shift doors of the cabin or one. Finally, there are two options for execution of the fifth (fourth or third) door. It happens with two sashes that open in different directions, or with one - rises up. Machines with a double -leaf stern and simpler finish are slightly cheaper.
A car from France fell into our hands. In a cargo -passenger performance with an improved finish, a single -barreled rear door and two sliding, without air conditioning and bells and ground, with an engine of 1.4 liters, 55 kW/75 liters. With. Price - $ 13,390. This is not the cheapest and, moreover, not the most expensive option. If you are ready for more, please: the air conditioner raises the price of $ 800, ABS - another $ 500, an audio system - by $ 350. If you want cheaper, you can save on an extra sliding door - minus $ 390 or immediately order cheaper equipment - with easier and without electrification. In the price lists near this option, the amount of $ 11,990 or something is indicated. But most likely this car will have to wait. Cars in the simplest and cheapest configuration in the warehouses do not cost - they are delivered to order. Is it even cheaper? A cargo version (double) will cost approximately a thousand less. About the same amount of Doninvest Orion -M/›Doninvest Orion -M - our assembly (cargo - from $ 9990).

WHAT IS INSIDE?

First of all, a pleasant feeling of space. The large altitude of the cabin is used here very efficiently. A high landing on all seats leaves enough space for the legs, and also a luggage compartment huge by the standards of a passenger car. But that's not all. Under the ceiling are four out of ten shelves and pockets so beloved by the French. Two - above the anti -linen visors in front, two more - above the back doors, at passengers.
The general idyll is violated only by the rear seat itself, more precisely, how it is divided into three - equally. Because of this, two sitting along the edges, even when there is no third passenger between them, are in constant contact with the central counter, or rather from the second of them, since there are actually two full-fledged central racks. Accordingly, if only one passenger is located behind, he is better off in the middle. But there is so much air above your head that at least climb into the cylinder. Moreover, a high sliding door, even in this case, will not make you bend much. There is a supply of space in front of the feet. In general, the only thing that constrains the rear passengers in Berlingo is the width between the racks. Therefore, we ask you to go forward especially broad -shouldered.

About the glove compartment ... Yes, yes, again about them. In addition to the usual ones - in the doors and torpedo and those four that are located under the ceiling, there are two more in the floor! These, closed with a hatch, fell exactly under the feet of passengers sitting from behind. Right paradise for flea markets. It is even strange that there are no pockets on the windshield.
What else is pleasant in the car: large openings of the front doors, a stretch shelf in the trunk and illumination in the same place, the ability to fold in parts or completely remove the rear seats. The spare wheel is located under the machine, and not under the floor, which is good for the truck. The rear single -leaf door rises high, allowing a person to grow slightly above the average not to hit her head.
Which is not very comfortable: even on a five -door car, the front seats with a back folding forward, having a limited angle of back deviation. Such seats allow you to find a convenient planting, but get a night ...

How is it going?

With a 1.4 liter engine - not very nimble, but stupid. The short main gear, of course, makes you often switch, but creates a welcome supply of torque on wheels - you can freely go along the country (taking into account a low minimum speed) and move on a loaded machine. By the way, it was a large carrying capacity (650 kg) with a relatively modest motor that largely determined the choice of a short main pair and a very dense suspension, which is difficult to break through on an empty car.
Berlingo has a high landing and a large area of \u200b\u200bglazing. Involuntarily, you remember the saying high, I look far away. And without that, the great (primarily high) external mirrors increase good visibility. In case of maneuvers near curbs or other obstacles, there is no need to lower the right mirror down or pull the neck in a zhuralin - the asphalt in the rear wheel is visible and so.
Having traveled for some time around the city, we note the lack of gearbox - I would like to feel better selectivity and ease of switching, more distinct fixation. Due to the characteristic high landing, the lever relative to the driver is located low, and the steering wheel is slightly closer to the horizontal position than in most cars. However, all these are trifles that you quickly get used to. The landing is generally convenient. If the second rudder adjustment or the ability to raise, lift the seat, it could generally get closer to her beloved.
On the highway, as the speed grows, Citroen loses agility - not a very powerful motor and significant frontal area affect. Until permitted by the Rules 90 or 110 km/h, the car accelerates no worse than the main stream, but the overtaking of those who travel at such a speed is somewhat delayed in time. And will the owner of Berling constantly go to the whole coil? The car attracts primarily those who need to take a lot, and not get the faster than anyone. And here he knows his job.

Portrait with classmates
Similar in appearance classmates of Russian origin, IZH, VIS will be cheaper, but are not produced in cargo -passenger versions. Foreigners are comparable in price and there are already enough of them in our market.

Renault Kanga: 1.4 l, 75 hp Price - from $ 11,900.

Peugeot partner: 1.4 l, 75 hp Price - from $ 12,200.

Volkswagen Caddy: 1.4-1.6 liters, 60-75 hp Price - from $ 12,700.

An interesting detail
1. Spacious trunk ...
2. ... large external mirrors ...
3. ... abundance of shelves and pockets ...
4. ... everywhere, even on the floor ...
5. ... and under the ceiling. So Berlingo is remembered after the first meeting with him.
6. And there are also large doorways ...
7. ... and a cell under the radio, closed with a lid.

SERVICE
In order not to start any service work with the washing of the motor compartment, it is worth installing its protection, at least plastic - from dirt.
The cost of the service work itself is low, which is important for both a commercial car and a private car. And the guarantee is impressive - 100 thousand km.

Citroen Berlingo (cargo -passenger)
The number of places is 5; equipped/complete mass - 1125/1780 kg; length x width x height - 4110x1720x1800 mm; maximum speed - 150 km/h; acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h

Prices for spare parts and then, US dollars
TO-1 (10,000 km) 75
TO-2 (20,000 km) 75
Oil filter 6.5
Air filter 15
Fuel filter 15
Front brake pads 40
Rear brake pads 65
Generator belt 15
Front belt (with a tension roller) 100
Front shock absorber 60
Rear shock absorber 60
Steering rack (without gur) 435
Front bumper 100
Bamper rear 170
Hood 155
Front wing 86
Front door 224
Rear door (sliding) 182
The lid of the trunk 192
Windshield 120
Farah assembly 63
Rear lamp 29
The cost of a norm -hour of work is 39 - 14 s; engine volume - 1361 cm; Power - 55 kW/75 liters. With. at 5500 rpm; Twisting the moment - 120 N.M at 3400 rpm; Fuel consumption (highway/city) - 7.1/9.5 l/100 km.