Choosing a new van for your commercial fleet or your contracting business? Well, how does the International Van of the Year sound? In 2008, this title was given to the Citroen Dispatch. This van looks like it’s out to do business, and that’s exactly what the Dispatch is all about. As its advertising slogan in the UK says, it’s delivering loads more (or should that be delivering more loads?).

However, if you decide, like many others, that the Citroen Dispatch is for you, your choice is far from over. While all models have the lean, mean looking headlights that wouldn’t look out of place on a sports car and the aerodynamic, efficient lines, you’ve got a good range of models: with five possibilities available in Australia: the L1H1 panel van, the L2H1 panel van, the L2H1 panel van with pneumatic suspension, the L1H1 window van and the L2H1 window van. To decipher the codes, the L refers to Length, with L1 meaning 4805 mm measured bumper to bumper and L2 measuring 5135 mm. H refers to height, but only one height – 1449 mm from the van floor is available here (a grand total of 27 variants are on offer overseas). The Aussie versions of the Citroen Dispatch are three-seaters designed to be part of a work fleet, but multi-seaters are available overseas… maybe they’ll get over here eventually.

If you’re a contractor, you may have been frustrated by barrier arms set at 195 cm (about the average) that won’t let your trade vehicle into a drivethrough or car park. Not any more with the Citroen Dispatch (if you have the pneumatic suspension model). Thanks to Citroen’s world-renowned suspension system, the exterior height of the van can be lowered to 190 cm, allowing it to fit in – it’s also handy if you have to lift something heavy in, as it saves you lifting ten or so extra centimetres (this feature is available in the Citroen Dispatch HDi DPFS only). The interior load space inside all models Citroen Dispatch is 140 cm – plenty for any load, and the pneumatic suspension is self-levelling so you don’t get too much cargo shift going around corners and you don’t throw your passengers around either. Getting the load in is even easier still with the doors, which open up to 180 degrees – and this is available on all models.

Couriers (and others) need plenty of get up and go in a commercial vehicle, and the Citroen Dispatch has all you need on tap. Specifically, what’s on tap is either the basic 2.0 litre diesel or the DPFS diesel, which also has a 2-litre capacity. The DPFS unit is the more powerful of the two, packing a maximum punch of 100 kW at 4000 rpm and a top torque of 320 Nm at 2000 rpm. The ordinary 2.0 litre diesel is no slouch, either, as it delivers a top power of 88 kW and a top torque of 300 Nm at the same rev levels as the Citroen Dispatch HDi DPFS. The Citroen Dispatch HDi DPFS also has a particulate filter, but both engines meet Euro 4 emissions standards. Choice is limited to one option when it comes to transmission, with a 6-speed manual being the only choice for either engine option. The economy (7.2 l/100 km for the short version; 7.4 l/100 km for the longer one) should also keep the company bean-counters happy.

Everyone likes a few creature comforts or perks as part of their job, and the Citroen Dispatch has plenty there. These creature comforts start with the standard radio/CD system with steering wheel-mounted controls, with a GPS navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and a five-CD changer available as options. The list continues with a padded, height adjustable steering wheel, cupholders (which is a new feature on Citroens – older ones don’t have them), central locking, tinted windows, air conditioning and two 12 V power sockets. Options available on the Citroen Dispatch include front fog lights, rear parking sensors, and an overhead storage tunnel.

The safety features on the Citroen Dispatch reflect that this is a vehicle designed to be a workhorse driven by one person, as only the driver’s side has a front air bag as standard; the passenger airbags come as options, which, to be fair to say, depend on whether you select a bench seat option for the front or an individual front seat. ABS brakes with Brake Assist (Citroen calls this system the Emergency Braking Assistance system) are on all models of Citroen Dispatch, and ESP with traction control being available as options.

While you probably need to look at another option if you are shopping for a van to transport a large family or rugby team, the Citroen Dispatch is a very, very worthwhile choice of commercial vehicle that would make a stylish and practical addition to any commercial fleet.

The current model series includes the:

• Dispatch 2.0L HDi
• Dispatch 2.0L HDi DPFS

For anymore information on the Citroen Dispatch, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Citroen dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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