"AndersSim - V10'ING" (anderssim)
12/15/2013 at 12:55 • Filed to: None
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"AndersSim - V10'ING" (anderssim)
12/15/2013 at 12:55 • Filed to: None | 5
| 6 |
Hi my fellow Jalops! Before I start writing, I would like to introduce you to my attempt at getting an "Oppo" articles series going, where I try to stuff you guys with as much information possible, about cars you don't even remember existed. The writing won't be revolutionary but I will try my very best to make it interesting to read. I will cover the most basic information about the cars, gimmicks, and history of the brand, such as my own verdict. I hope you'll enjoy!
Introduction: " Why the Citroën Berlingo?" You would with out a doubt ask me. From the tip of the iceberg the Berlingo was produced for one purpose, to carry stuff from A to B without being in a hurry. It was bought by people with kids, and by dad's with no intention of doing anything other than transport "stuff". It was used exactly by the people the designers had in mind. The "little" Citroën was never trying to be anything else than a transport unit. As the Espace was a revolution, the Berlingo was a evolution, a evolution, in my mind, which was going the correct way. A car for people who really didn't care what they drove, as long as it did the job, it was cheap enough for most people, and it had a good variety of specifications.
Production:
Before Citroën had an idea of how the final design should look like, a lot of idea went over the table at Citroën, it was destined to be a MPV, although Citroën still played with the idea of it ending up like a hatchback of some sort. 3 main concepts was shown to the public at the 1996 Paris Salon :
- Citroën Berlingo Bulle
"The Bulle or `Bubble' is a bold new vision of a family car which breaks the traditional mould. Designed to be both practical and fun, it presents a friendly, harmonious shape on the outside with lots of round and oval shapes while on the inside it is exceptionally roomy, airy and welcoming."
- Coupé de Plage
The Coupé de Plage was styled in a manner evocative of the ZX Rallye Raide . In concept. it was not too dissimilar to the Méhari - while also drawing on the success of "leisure pick-ups" in North America. Perhaps a Berlingo pick-up is on the cards. This car was powered by the 1,8 litre engine from the Xantia, developing 103 bhp and offering a top speed in the region of 165 kph (100 mph).
- Citroën Grand Large
"The third Berlingo concept car was the Grand Large which effectively went into production as the Berlingo Multispace."
The Berlingo ended up sharing platform with Peugeot's Partner, the two cars was basically identical, the badges just varied from a lion and two arrows pointing downwards. The joint venture between the two french giants started back in 1974 after the oil crisis where Citroën and Fiat parted ways, Citroën the feared for their life, and formed the PSA group with Peugoet.
Specifications(I only display the top specs):
LENGTH
161.8 in OR 4110 mm
WIDTH
67.7 in OR 1720 mm
HEIGHT
70.7 in OR 1796 mm
FRONT/REAR TRACK
56.3/56.7 in OR 1,430/1,440 mm
WHEELBASE
105.9 in OR 2690 mm
GROUND CLEARANCE
5.5 in OR 140 mm
CARGO VOLUME
22 cuFT OR 623 L
CITROEN Berlingo 1.8i (1996 - 2002) Technical Specification
CYLINDERS
L4
DISPLACEMENT
1761 cm3
POWER
66 KW @ 5000 RPM
90 HP @ 5000 RPM
89 BHP @ 5000 RPM
TORQUE
108 lb-ft @ 2600 RPM
147 Nm @ 2600 RPM
FUEL SYSTEM
Multipoint Injection
FUEL
Petrol
CO2 EMISSIONS
210 g/km
CITROEN Berlingo 2.0 HDI (1996 - 2002) Technical Specifications
CYLINDERS
L4
DISPLACEMENT
1997 cm3
POWER
66 KW @ 4000 RPM
90 HP @ 4000 RPM
89 BHP @ 4000 RPM
TORQUE
151 lb-ft @ 1900 RPM
205 Nm @ 1900 RPM
FUEL SYSTEM
Common Rail
FUEL
Diesel
CO2 EMISSIONS
147 g/km
History:
Citroën might be the craziest car company still in existence today, I have yet to have heard of one person talking bad about Citroën as a whole. The company was formed in 1919 by André-Gustave Citroën. Citroën was the first large car company outside the United States. Citroën quickly got the reputation of creativity as they were far ahead of time in some of their models. They might not be the luxury brand today, as they were back in pre-WWII, but they still build quality vehicles with a twist. Although they had some dark years in the "naughties" with very brown cars, they are going back to their roots, with the new DS series.
Verdict: The Berlingo is a car. Nothing more, nothing less. And that's why I love it dearly.
Hoccy
> AndersSim - V10'ING
12/15/2013 at 13:15 |
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Yes I do! In fact they're still very much around here, because they were the first choice for the postal service here and they bought loads of them in van form. The new one is a bit bigger though, but that just makes it more of an alternative for workers.
fhrblig
> AndersSim - V10'ING
12/15/2013 at 13:17 |
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We never got them here in the US, but they were sold in Mexico. It's not unheard of to see them around the States with Mexican plates. I've also seen Peugeot 208's, SEATs, Renault Scenics, and Dodge (nee Hyundai) Atos's running around here in Denver quite a few times.
duurtlang
> Hoccy
12/15/2013 at 13:40 |
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Exactly. To my mind the Berlingo and its Peugeot sibling is mostly a panel van. I don't see as many with a bench in the back, but I do get the appeal; it's a very simple, very practical and yet quite cheap family car. If you don't care about style or performance it's perfect as a family car I'd guess.
BrunoJ
> AndersSim - V10'ING
12/15/2013 at 15:01 |
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This car is a good example of Why the PSA group is in trouble. I explain. For decades both Peugeot and Citroen developed their cars with the French market first in mind. And it happens that the French client (generalizing) just wants to... go from point A to point B... Their cars lost all of the "emotional" side on the design side and on the performance also. Now Citroen seams to be trailing a good path with the DS series. I love the DS4.
But, just look at the Citroen C3 (2002)... it's just... roouuuunnnnd. Nothing less, nothing more... no fun, no emotion. And I drove this "Egg on Wheels" a few times from car rentals here in Europe
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AndersSim - V10'ING
> BrunoJ
12/15/2013 at 15:09 |
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PSA in general is about to get back on track. About the C3, I just bought one for fun, and a review will be up in a couple of days. "Egg on Wheels" is the best description i have heard for that car.
merkyg
> AndersSim - V10'ING
01/07/2014 at 19:20 |
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Our drummer has one. I don't help unload it as I'm scared looking at it will make me fall asleep instantly and drop an amp on my foot.