[June 17, 2011] Dispatch has the edge [South Wales Evening Post (Wales)] Tweet (South Wales Evening Post (Wales) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) FOR a long time, Citroen's Dispatch van resisted classification in the UK's light commercial vehicle market place. It was bigger than the crop of compact vans, but not so big as to impinge on the territory of the panel vans in the class above. As a relatively unique compromise between manoeuvrability and carrying capacity, it enjoyed considerable success. Today's model is easier to pin down, going head to head with vehicles at the more petite end of the panel van spectrum. It's a tougher gig, but there's confidence at Citroen that the Dispatch is up to the challenge. The 3m3 load volume of the original Dispatch left a glaring hole in the Citroen light commercial vehicle range. The littlest version of the Relay panel van could carry 8m[sup 3] and this left a 5m[sup 3] window in which rivals like Vauxhall's Vivaro and Volkswagen's Transporter could make hay. Today's Dispatch plugs that gap, nestling up beneath the Relay model range with a variety of load volumes ranging from 5m[sup 3] to 7m[sup 3]. Payload options of 1,000kg and 1,200kg ensure that the Dispatch can cope with more weight than before as well, while the range has taken on a far greater level of diversity thanks to two load lengths (L1 and L2), two roof heights (H1 and H2) and three engine options. On top of that little lot, buyers also get the choice of panel van, window van, platform cab and Combi bodystyles. The modern Citroen Dispatch range has the mix and match potential that operators expect in the panel van sector, but a key factor behind the success of the original Dispatch was the way operators found it compact and wieldy in the manner of smaller, more car-like vans from the class below. Citroen was obviously acutely aware of this and rather than cloning the look and feel of the leading small panel van rivals, this Dispatch manages to remain a little bit different. In profile, the large front overhang of the Dispatch is highlighted and this contributes to a turning circle that, at 12.2m, is nearly a metre greater than a Vauxhall Vivaro of equivalent capacity. The Dispatch, however, hits back on height, or more accurately, lack of it. Citroen is at pains to point out that the standard roof H1 versions are just 1,942mm tall and drop to 1,894mm when the optional pneumatic suspension is specified. This means that they'll be able to squeeze under height restrictors on urban car parks that would deny entry to most other panel vans. The sliding side door on each flank is a further boon in situations where space is tight and operators need to access their load. These open wide enough to accommodate a Euro pallet and benefit from a low loading height of 562mm which can be cut by 71mm if you splash out on that self-levelling suspension. The three engine options are all HDi common-rail diesels developing 90, 120 or 136bhp. The Dispatch still offers a user-friendly, MPV-style driving experience, but it lacks a little in terms of quality, both actual and perceived, when pitched against the very best. This may not matter. Citroen knows better than anyone how to sell vans in the UK marketplace and tight pricing along with innovations like the standard Smartnav navigation system and the inevitable cashback deals should give this impressive product the edge it needs in a closely-fought sector. (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]