CITROËN BERLINGO
The prime mover of the kombi kickstart (along with Peugeot’s identical Partner) almost 25 years ago, the original Berlingo (called ‘First’) is already a modern classic – a viable 2CV alternative perhaps? First has a certain style to it and are still good bets for around £1500 although most are now ratty.
The facelifted 2003 range is better, or best of all the Berlingo II from 2008 which ran for a decade. This was an all-new effort sharing its basic platform with Citroën’s C4 Picasso MPV, improving the ride and refinement no end – plus the interior remains a class act in terms of its space usage, especially if the optional deal clinching aircraft style overhead lockers are fitted.
There are 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol-powered versions, but the majority come in gutsy HDi diesel form – in 1.6 and for 2018, 1.5-litre sizes ranging from 75bhp to 129bhp depending upon year and model – we’d want a ‘100’ at least to cope with laden families. Berlingo’s drive quite nicely although notable cornering roll is the trade-off for a typically French compliant ride. 12.0secs An all-terrain X-TR version was made from 2006 featuring a higher ground clearance, underbody protection and a special traction control system which was dashboard selected and works quite effectively – you can buy one for under £5000. Berlingo bothers include transmissions, power steering, rear axle (on first-gen), failing trim, paint and general decay. But a good one, such as a 2015 1.6 HDi ‘Blue’ XTR which we found for comfortably under £10,000 with warranty, will see you right.
CITROËN NEMO
Although headlined Citroën Nemo it actually represents turbodiesel which the Italian model three decidedly compact kombis badged Citroën Nemo boasted from the outset. So long Multispace, Peugeot Bipper and Fiat’s Fiorino, which provided as you don’t intend long distances, the shared design. Launched in 2009 and in production for all are entirely capable kombis with about ten years, depending upon badge, while this supermini-sized trio are hardly big on space or practicality they are not while the handling is quite adequate power and refinement as pointless as they first appear and their ease supermini-like. of rear entry, for example, make them far more convenient than a traditional small hatchback thanks to their rear sliding doors – great for supermarkets and the school run – and they’re also quite chic in their own way.
At launch the French pair employed the Peugeot-Citroën 1.4-litre HDi turbodiesel power unit but for 2011 this was replaced by the Fiat 1.3-litre Multijet Our choice here would be the jazzy-looking Bipper Tepee, but the problem may be finding one – a
