CITROËN DISPATCHES A NEW VAN TO AUSTRALIA!
Building on the success of the Citroën Berlingo, the much imitated small van that changed the face of the Australian small van market, Citroën has launched the Citroën Dispatch, an award-winning medium size van that tackles Australia’s largest commercial vehicle sector, offering benchmark space, performance and versatility.
“The Citroën Berlingo has introduced thousands of Australian businesses to the quality design that has made Citroën a byword for commercial vehicle excellence for more than 70 years in Europe,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia. “For many of those businesses the Berlingo has been part of their success and it has enabled them to grow and we are responding with a larger van to meet the emerging needs of those businesses. Like the Berlingo, the Dispatch is designed to meet the transport, comfort, safety and budgetary needs of businesses and we are certain that the Dispatch will become another commercial success for Citroën in Australia.”
The new Dispatch is designed to appeal to a wide range of Australian operators and showcases a variety of technological innovations to raise comfort and safety standards and increase operational efficiency.
From the wide range of Dispatch versions available in Europe, Citroën has chosen two versions that it believes are ideally suited to the Australian market, with a third version set for launch later in the year. Initially two sizes will be available, the short wheelbase low roof with a five cubic metre load space and a long wheelbase with six cubic metres. The Citroën Dispatch short wheelbase has a payload of 1.0 tonne and, to ensure maximum use may be made of its loadspace, the long wheelbase has a payload of 1.2 tonnes.
Powering the Citroën Dispatch for the Australian market is Citroën’s 88 kW 2.0 litre Turbo Diesel engine which also offers a load lugging 300 Nm of torque, which, thanks to the standard six speed manual gearbox, it offers strong performance at all speeds. Later in the year the Dispatch long wheelbase will also be available with the 100 kW version of the 2.0 litre engine for heavy duty applications.
The standard equipment offered by the Citroën Dispatch is not only comprehensive; it also tailored to the specific needs of the commercial vehicle user. For example, the Citroën Dispatch not only has remote central locking. 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, while unloading the Dispatch, the cab and its valuables can be kept secure.
Front electric windows are standard, along with AirCon, digital CD audio system with steering column mounted remote controls, ABS brakes, Drive’s side air bag and a double front passenger seat are all standard. The load area is easily accessible through twin ‘barn’ doors, each with a heated window and it’s double rear wipers for maximum visibility. The interior is full of intelligent ideas specifically designed for the commercial user, including generous storage spaces, including a large dashboard ‘well’, folding cup holders, 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.
But more than that, the overall design of the Citroën Dispatch is intelligent, such as the low step in height at the front from easy access and the low loading height at the rear and side, the comprehensive bumpers and side protection panels and, of course, a wealth of safety features, both passive and active, to ensure safe use at all times. The Citroën Dispatch, when fitted with the optional pneumatic rear suspension can even ‘kneel down’ to ease loading, as well as offering the safety and comfort of self-leveling suspension.
The Citroën 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 for the 100 kW will be announced when it goes on sale.
The Citroën Dispatch short wheelbase has a payload of 1.0 tonne and, to ensure maximum use may be made of its loadspace, the long wheelbase has a payload of 1.2 tonnes.
New Dispatch – stylish and practical
The new Dispatch not only looks good, but its clean, bold, aerodynamic lines are also practical. To protect it when it is out on the streets, the new Dispatch has all-round, wide protective side mouldings and big, multi-piece bumpers.
The new Dispatch also retains the benefits of compact external dimensions. It has a low overall height of 1,942 mm with standard suspension (1,894 mm with optional pneumatic suspension). Also in short wheelbase form its overall length is similar to that of a large family car, making it a practical proposition for urban use, with its ability to park on a meter and go in most multi-storey car parks, which normally have a 1950 mm height limit.
For maximum loading efficiency, new Dispatch has large, twin, side load doors. At the rear it has big, side-hinged doors. The load deck height is just 562 mm with standard suspension and drops by a further 71 mm on models fitted with pneumatic self-leveling rear suspension.
With a choice of short and long wheelbase models the new Dispatch offers excellent load compartment volumes. The short wheelbase Dispatch has a load compartment volume of 5.0 cubic metres, with a load deck length of 2,254 mm and an internal load compartment height of 1,449 mm. Maximum load width on all models is a generous 1,600 mm and the between wheel arches dimension is 1,245 mm.
The long wheelbase van has a capacity of 6.0 cubic metres, thanks to its longer load length of 2,584 mm.
Not only does the Dispatch offer an excellent load space. The wide opening twin rear barn doors and twin side sliding doors are all wide enough to enable standard pallets to be loaded from the side and the rear of the vehicle. In addition, a full width rear step is fitted and the load compartment is panelled to waist rail for load space protection. A ladder frame bulkhead is also fitted as standard behind the driver’s seat, with the option of a full bulkhead.
New Dispatch – Euro IV engine range
The Euro IV compliant 2.0 HDi engine, which has a peak torque rating of 300 Nm developed at 2,000 rpm in additional to its 88 kW power output, also delivers impressive fuel figures, with a combined figure of 7.2l/100 km (39.2 mpg).
The 100 kW 2.0 HDi engine delivers peak torque of 320 Nm @ 2,000 rpm and will become the first van to be equipped with an ultra-clean Diesel Particulate Filter System (DPFS), which reduces particulate emissions to virtually immeasurable levels. This high torque, high power unit delivers relaxed performance combined with similar levels of fuel economy, with a combined figure of 7.4l/100 kg (38.2 mpg).
The two advanced HDi engines used in the Dispatch are fitted with European On Board Diagnosis (EOBD) systems to monitor emissions and warn of any engine electronic management malfunction.
New Dispatch – state-of-the-art on-road capability
The new Dispatch has car-like standards of ride and handling, thanks to its sophisticated suspension. This set-up provides optimum levels of stability, responsiveness, steering precision and damper control, regardless of load.
At the front the Dispatch has independent MacPherson strut type suspension with triangulated rear arms and an anti-roll bar. The independent, coil sprung, trailing arm rear suspension includes a semi-flexible transverse beam with an offset Panhard rod and inclined hydraulic dampers. This suspension set-up plays a major role in the Dispatch’s achievement of a high standard of ride comfort and good cornering performance, even with heavy loads.
The optional pneumatic rear suspension fitted to Dispatch further improves ride characteristics and maintains ride height at a constant level regardless of load.
The Dispatch has electro-hydraulic, speed sensitive power assisted steering, with a ‘between kerb’ turning circle diameter of 12.18m for short wheelbase models and 12.59m for the long wheelbase. These tight turning circles further complement the abilities of new Dispatch in urban use.
Standard braking equipment on all Dispatch models includes generously dimensioned ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. For safer braking in all conditions, ABS and EBA are standard on all Dispatch models. Optionally available at low prices are a number of additional safety features, including ASR traction control and ESP with Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).
New Dispatch – a safe working environment
In keeping with Citroën’s reputation for producing some of the safest vehicles on the road, the new Dispatch has been engineered to provide very high standards of occupant protection and impact resistance. The body includes a reinforced cant rail, a front bumper with an impact absorbing metal beam, high strength front sub frame, reinforced engine mountings and a steering column that retracts by over 80 mm in the event of a heavy impact.
A driver’s airbag is standard across the range, while front passenger airbag is available as an option. Other key safety features include anti-submarining seat design, height adjustable front seatbelts with pyrotechnic pretensioners and force limiters on the outer seats.
The new Dispatch also benefits from enhanced security. All models are fitted as standard with a transponder actuated engine immobiliser and high frequency, remote control central locking with deadlocks on all doors. A further security enhancement is the ability to lock the cab and load areas remotely and separately.
New Dispatch – more space and higher standards of comfort & equipment
New Dispatch models have a spacious and comfortable cab, with multi (rake, reach and height) adjustable woven cloth trimmed driver’s seat and dual passenger seat. The large windows provide a wider field of vision and let in plenty of light. Access to the cab is easy as, unlike many other vans, the Dispatch’s low floor does away with the need for a step, improving accessibility. The driver also benefits from a height adjustable steering wheel.
As standard, all Dispatch models have a very high level of equipment including electric front windows, tinted windows, automatic illumination of cabin lighting, internal adjustment of door mirrors and remote control operation of the stereo radio/CD via steering wheel mounted controls.
In developing the new Dispatch, considerable care has been taken to provide generous stowage for paperwork and other day-to-day essentials. As such, there are large door pockets, a big over-windscreen storage shelf, a lockable glovebox, cup holders and other small storage compartments. In addition, all models have a 12 volt socket on the dashboard and another in the rear load compartment.
New Dispatch is optionally available with a wide range of equipment, including cruise control and a speed limiter, automatic wipers and headlights, a reversing radar and a 5-CD stacker as well as, from August 2008, the Citroën NaviDrive navigation system. The new Dispatch will also be offered with a full range of audio and telematic equipment, including Bluetooth.
Citroën Dispatch van specification
Capacity / 1997 / 1997
No. valves / 16 / 16
Bore x stroke / 85 x 88 mm / 85 x 88 mm
Max power / 88 kW (120 bhp) @ 4000 rpm / 100 kW (136 bhp) @ 4000 rpm
Max torque / 300 Nm (221.3 lb.ft) @ 2000 rpm / 320 Nm (236 lb.ft) @ 2000 rpm
Fuel injection / common rail direct injection
Aspiration / turbo (variable geometry)/intercooler
Emission control / Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) / EGR/Diesel particulate filter
Maximum speed / 160 kph / 170 kph
Acceleration 0-100 km/h / 15.4 secs / 13.8 secs
Urban fuel consumption / 9.1 l/100 km / n/a
Extra urban fuel consumption / 6.3 l/100 km / n/a
Combined fuel consumption / 7.2 l/100 km / 7.4 l/100 km
Transmission / 6 speed all synchro manual
Suspension front / independent MacPherson strut with anti roll bar
rear / independent trailing arm/coil springs with inclined dampers
LX models only / Rear pneumatic/self leveling with rear deck lowering facility
Brakes / ABS with EBA, servo assisted, hydraulic X-split circuit
Front/Rear / 304 mm ventilated disc/290 mm solid disc
Steering / Variable assisted electro hydraulic
No of turns lock to lock / 3.87
Wheels & tyres / 215/60 R16
Fuel tank capacity / 80 litres
External dimensions
Short wheelbase / Long Wheelbase
Overall length / 4805 mm / 5135 mm
Overall height / 1942 mm
Width over mirrors / 2194 mm
Wheelbase / 3000 mm / 3122 mm
Turning circle / 12.18m kerb to kerb / 12.59m kerb to kerb
Internal load dimensions
Load length / 2254 mm / 2584 mm
Max load comp height / 1449 mm
Max load width / 1600 mm
Width between arches / 1245 mm
Side door height / 1293 mm
Side door width / 924 mm
Rear door height / 1272 mm
Rear door width / 1237 mm
Load comp volume / 5 cu.m / 6 cu.m
Weights
Gross vehicle weights / 2702 kg / 2932 kg
Payload / 988 / 1188
Front axle gross weight / 1400 kg
Rear axle gross weight / 1700 kg
Max trailer weight braked / 2000 kg
Max roof load / 170 kg
Citroën Dispatch van standard equipment
Trip/total mileage recorders / Driver’s airbagSpeedometer / ABS & EBA
Maintenance indicator / 3 x three point inertia reel seat belts
Fuel gauge / Outer front seat belts with pyrotechnic pre-tensioners
Oil pressure warning light / Height adjustable outer front seat belts
Rev counter / Ladder frame bulkhead behind driver’s seat
Clock / Anti-submarining seat design
Warning lights for low battery charge/low fuel/ coolant
temperature/ low brake fluid / Internal headlamp adjustment
6 load lashing eyes
Driver’s seat belt unfastened warning light / Height adjustable head restraints for driver and 2 front passengers
Locking fuel tank cap / Lockable glovebox with pen holders
Remote central locking with deadlocks / Large front door pockets
Transponder immobiliser / Over cab storage shelf
12 volt socket in rear load compartment / Nearside & offside full height, sliding side load doors
Cup holders in dash console / Load compartment side walls panelled to waist rail
Load compartment area lighting / Height adjustable steering wheel
Tinted glass / Grey Tedeo/Narbonnais woven cloth upholstery
Interior overhead light / Driver’s seat with height, rake, reach
Front sun visors / Dual passenger seat
Power assisted steering / 3 x front height adjustable head restraints
12 volt socket on centre console / Air conditioning
Electric front windows / Roof mounted front passenger grab handle
RDS stereo radio/CD player / Internally electrically adjustable mirrors
Steering column mounted controls / 2 speed + intermittent wipers
Fold back/fold forward mirrors / Rear fog and reversing lamps
Rear door protection strips / Hi-level third brake light
Integral roof rack mounting points / Internally adjustable headlamps
Full length exterior side protection mouldings / Auto illumination of cabin lighting
Full width rear step / Tinted windows
Twin, glazed rear doors / Twin sliding side load doors
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