In a world of crossover dominance, you’d forgive manufacturers for phasing out multi-purpose vehicles.
Citroen still thinks there’s life in the market though and has come out with this – the new Berlingo Multispace.
The French firm is calling it a Leisure Activity Vehicle (LAV for short), a segment it claims to have created in 1996 with the original Berlingo Multispace.
It’s even gone as far to suggest the model’s name is used to describe the MPV segment in some countries, much like ‘Googling’ is often used for web searches – but it didn’t say which ones.
The third-generation Berlingo Multispace features Citroen’s latest boxy design language, with the now-trademark tiered headlamps and narrow grille – as well as the addition of the manufacturer’s Airbumps on the side of the vehicle.
It’s available in M and XL sizes – measuring 4.4 and 4.7 metres respectively – with the smaller option featuring five seats, and the larger seven. In both versions, middle row seats are independent from one another and can each be folded down for extra cargo space – with two also removable.
M models also boast more boot space that its predecessor, now 775 litres with all seats in place – a 100 litre increase.
There’s more safety tech too, with plenty of driver assistance technologies on offer such as autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning.
Inside the new Berlingo Multispace, grey cloth with green highlights around the cabin comes as standard. The optional XTR pack adds a different green tone with further orange touches, with a light grey strip on the passenger side of the dashboard. The XTR pack also adds 17in alloy wheels and body-coloured fairings to the front and rear bumpers.
Two engine options are on offer – one petrol, one diesel – in various states of tune, which can be had with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. Full performance details have yet to be revealed but expect to hear more after the car’s public debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Exact pricing, specifications and delivery dates of the new Citroen Berlingo Multispace have yet to be disclosed, but order books are set to open in the second half of
2018.
