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By
EWAN KENNEDY
7 April 2008
Citroen has entered the one-tonne van market in Australia
with a vehicle aptly named the Dispatch.
Two versions are on sale now, a third variant will reach us
later in the year. Those here now are a short-wheelbase low-roof
van with a handy five-cubic-metre load area, and a long wheelbase
with six cubic metres.
Dispatch short-wheelbase has a payload of 1.0 tonne and the
long wheelbase can carry 1.2 tonnes.
Power for both models comes from a 88 kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel
engine produces a useful 300 Nm of torque. Power goes to the front
wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Later in 2008, the
Citroen Dispatch long-wheelbase will also be offered with a 100 kW
version of the 2.0 litre engine for heavy-duty applications.
Citroen Dispatch has a remote central-locking system. Operated
from the key, it splits the cab away from the load compartment, so
that it’s possible to open the cab and keep the load area locked
or, vice versa.
Front electric windows are standard, along with air
conditioning, a single-CD audio system with steering column
mounted controls, ABS brakes and a driver’s airbag.
These are nominally three-seaters, using a double front
passenger seat. The interior features generous storage spaces,
including a large dashboard well, folding drink holders, handy
sized bottle holders in the door pockets, a glove box designed to
be big enough for a small notebook computer and power points for
mobile phone and GPS units.
The load area is easily accessible through twin ‘barn’
doors, each with a heated window. There are double rear wipers for
added safety when reversing in the rain. There's easy access to
the cabin as well as usefully low loading height at the rear and
side.
When fitted with the optional pneumatic rear suspension the
Citroen Dispatch can even ‘kneel down’ to ease loading, as
well as offering the safety and comfort of self-leveling
suspension.
You don’t buy a van to look at it, but the very French marque
simply couldn’t resist putting plenty of flair into the shape of
its van. In particular note the company’s signature meshing-gear
emblem straddling the front grille. Naturally, there are large
bumpers and side protection panels – life can be pretty tough
for vans in European streets.
Citroen Dispatch has a recommended retail price of $34,990 for
the short wheelbase and $36,990 for the long wheelbase with the 88
kW engine, pricing on the latter with the 100 kW powerplant will
be announced later.
Citroen Dispatch joins the smaller Berlingo van from the same
company that has been on sale in Australia with a great deal of
success for some time.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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