Versatile van, man – Road report: dispatch/transit connect – Citroen Dispatch evaluation – Brief Article
Neil Nixon
The Dispatch is described by Citroen as a “versatile vehicle”, fitting between the Berlingo and the Relay. It’s available with a 1.9-1itre diesel or 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine; I tested the 900 2.0HDi 110bhp version.
The first point to make is that the Dispatch is not a new van and consequently has avoided the quirky looks often bestowed on more recent models in this sector. Driver comfort and safety are as you would expect from a well-designed vehicle, although the dash-mounted gearstick is not easy to use–not because of the position, but because the selector positions are so close together. Pulling away in third gear was a frequent hazard!
On the plus side, its positioning on the dash does allow three people to travel comfortably in the cab.
Driver controls also took some getting used to. This model was fitted with electric windows, but the switches–installed on the overhead racking–took some finding.
Good soundproofing and the aerodynamic design reduce the in-cab noise, and the suspension design provides an unusually comfortable ride.
The 110bhp 2.0HDi common-rail turbocharged diesel engine offers excellent performance and good fuel economy. In addition, this engine allows longer service intervals over the naturally aspirated version.
All in all, other than a few small criticisms about the in-cab equipment, there is very little to fault about this vehicle. It looks small until you look in the back and, with the bulkhead behind the driver (which was fitted to this model) replaced by the ladder-type variety, the load space becomes even more versatile.
DRIVER’S LOG
LIST PRICE: 12,515 [pounds sterling] (+VAT)
WARRANTY: Two-year unlimited mileage or three-year/100,000 miles
ENGINE: 1997cc 110bhp four-cylinder direct-injection diesel
TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2315kg
PAYLOAD: 900kg
VOLUME: 4.0[m.sup.3]
COPYRIGHT 2003 DMG World Media Ltd.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
