CHEAP ROOM (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_citroenberlingomultispace_061108

By Steve Walker

Introductionword count: 110

Family cars employ all kinds of resourceful solutions to solve the problem of space. People with lots of kids, bags, boxes and bikes like space and these cars go to extraordinary lengths to let them have it. MPVs are the masters at this. Get familiar with the right handles and levers and you can contort the cabin to your heart's content, access secret compartments and even deposit the seats in the garage while you take the wardrobe to the mother-in-law's. Generally speaking, Citroen's Berlingo Multispace doesn't go to the lengths of other MPVs to maximise space but that's only because it has so much of it in the first place.

Modelsword count: 13

Models Covered: 5dr MPV (1.4, 1.6 petrol, 1.6 HDi diesel [VT, VTR, XTR])

Historyword count: 216

The original Berlingo Multispace got in on the ground floor of the trend for turning small commercial vehicles into cheap, cheerful and roomy passenger cars. It went down a storm with cash-strapped families who prioritised space and low costs but weren't particularly bothered if on arrival, people assumed they'd come to fix the washing machine. Before too long, as is the way of the automotive industry, every manufacturer with a small van on its books had cut out some extra windows and shoved in some back seats in a bid to get a piece of the Berlingo's action. The second generation Berlingo Multispace arrived in 2008 and was substantially larger than its spacious predecessor. This was possible because around the same time, Citroen had launched van and MPV versions of the smaller Nemo. The cheaper Nemo models took car of the affordable end of things, allowing the Berlingo variants to extend upmarket. 1.6-litre petrol and HDi diesel engines were offered with trim levels running from VT to VTR and XTR. The XTR models feature 4x4 styling cues which give a more rugged look to the Berlingo but aren't particularly convincing. In 2009, 7-seater versions of the Berlingo Multispace were introduced bringing more practicality and underlining just how much room there is inside one of these cars.

What You Getword count: 346

Although it's still technically based on a van, this Berlingo Multispace also shared its underpinnings with the Citroen C4 hatch and C4 Picasso MPV so it's a little more car-like in its make-up than the original. It's also an assured piece of design for a vehicle that is, by necessity, tall and boxy. With a longer wheelbase and a bigger load bay, the Berlingo Multispace had practicality as its top priority. Overall length went up by a whopping 24cms compared to the original and a potential load space of 3000 litres means it could swallow four washing machines if that situation ever arose. With a full complement of passengers and the rear parcel shelf in place, a total boot of 675 litres is available. The ability to adapt to many different uses is a key requirement of this type of vehicle. The car is fitted as standard with a three-person rear bench seat which can be folded in sections or removed completely. To increase the modularity even further, customers can opt for three individual, reclining, folding and removable seats, an option that was new to the van-based MPV sector at the time. The specially shaped back of the middle rear seat includes two cup holders, and when folded forward, it creates a table between the two outer seats. There are also folding "airline" style trays attached to the backs of the passenger and driver's seats. The seven-seat option was included in what Citroen called its 'Family Pack'. Here, you get three individual, reclining, folding and removable seats in the second row. The third row is comprised of a pair of seats which can be folded down or removed completely when not in use. They're large enough for kids but adults will struggle. Citroen didn't hold back on using every trick in its armoury to improve day-to-day utility. There was an optional overhead storage 'galley' that can be used to house items such as skis, a removable central storage compartment, an opening tailgate window and a folding front passenger seat as well as the clever rear seats.

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