Test Drive Citroen Berlingo since 2008 Minivan

Credo - practicality

The model range of Citroen on the Russian market was replenished with a new model. The practicality of the new Berlingo appreciated Vladimir Solovyov. Photo by the author and Citroen.
The predecessor received the honorable prefix Burling-first. It is a sorry, not great, although it has fully deserved: after all, he had half of the sales of commercial Citroen in Europe, and more than a million cars were implemented.
The new model added in dimensions, the space for the knees of the rear passengers by 245 mm increased, became a more capable trunk: 1350 l, and without the rear row of 3000 liters. For growth, he remained in the previous framework, so as not to spoil the aerodynamic indicators and not make it difficult to enter the underground parking.
And the new, and the former Berlingo are produced as a delivered van, as well as in a purely passenger version, which Citroen marketers refer to Lyudospas that in translation can be interpreted as a bulk, a practical car for recreation.
That is how new Berlingo appeared in front of me. Take at least the back seat: it consists of three independent chairs, which can be easily folded and removed. Secret boxes are not only in chairs, but also above the head. In general, the ceiling of the new Berlingo deserves special praise. Glass inserts make space light. Ceiling ducts provide additional ventilation, through them you can deodorize the interior, inserting interchangeable perfume blocks into a special jack.
In Burling, you sit down with proudly raised head. Review at the height in the literal and figurative sense. Unlike the predecessor, the steering wheel of the new Berlingo is regulated by departure and inclination. Like most Citroins, adjustment of the backrest seat speed. Freedom in the movement of the steering wheel compensates for this inconvenience.
Berlingo is equipped with exclusively mechanical 5-speed boxes, no automata is yet provided. The car accelerates confidently, but does not show a special suquity: even with the most powerful engine is gaining a hundred in 14 seconds. This expresses the specifics of the car having a double purpose: on the one hand, passenger, with another commercial. It is designed for those who firmly know why I bought exactly such a car.
I was pleased with the equipment facilitating control. These are parking sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic switching on light instruments. Finally, the assistant at the Trokhan hood, holding the car for a couple of seconds after the brake pedal is released. The device clearly got Burlingo to the inheritance from C4 Picasso, on the platform of which he was created.
A lot of worked when improving over acoustic comfort. The engine is almost not heard, it was concluded in the so-called acoustic cocoon. Perhaps because of this, my colleague did not want to believe that we are going on with a car with a diesel engine, which, by the way, and he himself did not differ noise. It was a diesel 1.6 l, 110 hp, which is not yet in Russia, alas will not. Instead, we will get diesel engines a little weaken, but less demanding of fuel quality, which once again underlines the practicality of both the model and its creators and future owners. _x0008_
Citroen Berlingo Almost an ideal vehicle for traveling to the cottage: roomy, lifting, unpretentious and at the same time stylish.
Jean-Louis Chamla (Jean-Luis Chamla), Vice President Citroen on International Sales and Marketing:
In my opinion, the passenger version of our Berringo will be more popular in Russia. I do not exclude that thanks to the wide opportunities of the interior transformation, the car will be wider than we assume. We will offer clients of Berlingo with 1.6 l gasoline engines, 90 hp, as well as with diesel engines 75 and 92 hp We plan to double the sales of the Citroen brand in Russia, and the noticeable part will have to be on Burling.
Vladimir Solovyov
 
 


 

 

Source: Journal "Behind the wheel"