We waited. We were patient. And this is what Santa's French cousin brought us: a tiny utility van. We were hoping the predictions were wrong and that with its "C-Reveal" new product page, Citroen might give us something a little more exciting, like maybe the C5 Cabrio. But instead we got the Berlingo.

The new Berlingo is available either as a passenger vehicle (or Leisure Activity Vehicle, as Citroen imaginatively calls it) or as a slab-sided Light Commercial Vehicle. Citroen sold over 1.76 million examples of the outgoing Berlingo, which has been on the market since 1996 (with a facelift in 2002) and which will stay on in the meantime as the lower-priced Berlingo First. The new Berlingo uses running gear from the bigger, more civilized C4 Picasso minivan. It also grows in size over the old model and gets one of those new HDi particulate-filter diesels the French are so good at.

If itty-bitty European vans are your thing, you can check out all the juicy details in the press release after the jump, and stay tuned for the Partner version of the Berlingo from PSA sister-company Peugeot.

[Source: Citroen]

Gallery: Citroen New Berlingo

Continue reading Mystery Revealed: new Citroen Berlingo

Mystery Revealed: new Citroen Berlingo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earlier we brought you a screen shot of Citroen's website that features a countdown meter until the French automaker unveils its latest vehicle. Although we'll have to wait another couple of days to know for certain, the replacement for the Berlingo utility minivan is shaping up as a strong contender for the slot, with an undisguised photo of the new vehicle surfacing on the internet.

The Berlingo, also badged as the Partner by PSA sister-company Peugeot, has been on the market since 1996 and received a facelift in 2002. Competing with the new Renault Kangoo that was unveiled at last September's Frankfurt show, the little vans are a common site overseas where their utility and compact size prove a popular combination.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Citroen C-something could be Berlingo van replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• PSA Peugeot Citroen's 1.6-liter turbo diesel
• a 23 kW 288 volt DC electric motor, fitted between the engine and the transmission, for torque assist, power generation, regenerative braking and low-speed all-electric operation
• a 5-speed manual transmission
• a 288 volt Lithium-ion battery pack and battery management system
• a supervisory control system to coordinate vehicle systems to meet driver demands while optimizing fuel economy
• electric air-conditioning, electro-hydraulic power steering, and cooling for the electrical systems

U.K. Efficient-C project delivers ultra-low carbon car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jun 2006 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.