The current opus of MPV, third of the name, will soon arrive at mid-career, after an orchestrated launch during 2018. It will therefore be time for the Citroën Berlingo to review its copy to withstand fierce competition.
While “His Lordship” the Citroën C15, its ancestor, played extra time for 22 years, from 1984 to 2006, the intense competition to which contemporary utilities are lending themselves forces manufacturers to reduce their life cycles. For more than 25 years and the launch of the very first Berlingo (1996), no less than three generations have succeeded in the catalog, at a frantic pace. And the current model, soon to be 5 years old, took a dim view of the come back Renault Kangoo and its Mercedes T-Class and Nissan Townstar clones in recent months, not to mention the renewal of the Volkswagen Caddy and Ford Tourneo Connect, developed on a common platform.
Under the influence of Oli
Competition is also fierce within the Stellantis group (ex-PSA/Fiat-Chrysler), the Berlingo sharing its bank of organs with the Peugeot Rifter, the Opel Combo and more recently the Fiat Doblò, without forgetting that Toyota also benefits of these synergies under the name ProAce. The pressure is such that the most “Seasoned” of the lot will revisit its style, in the coming months, drawing inspiration from the Citroën Oli concept, revealed at the end of summer 2022. This is the reason why the Berlingo should draw a line under its stretched grille on which its Chevrons sat enthroned. His face should simplify his formal language by flanking the new house logo in the middle of his nose.
Return of fossil fuels
In terms of engines, he who stopped all thermal engines at the end of 2021, for lack of hybridization, could reintroduce them thanks to light electrification at 48 V. But it will above all be a question for him of increasing his 100% electric offer, currently only in the catalog. Its power level will increase from 136 to 156 hp, while its battery, using new chemistry, will extend its range well beyond 300 km. Launched in the course of 2024, the new Citroën Berlingo should start its prices at around €26,000 in gasoline, when its electric variant will probably be close to €40,000.
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