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Citroën Berlingo Multispace goes electric

Citroën is taking the Berlingo electric with the new E-Berlingo Multispace. With a range of up to 106 miles, the new model is aimed at both private customers and businesses.

The Citroën Berlingo passenger car is now available with an electric drivetrain, in the form of the E-Berlingo Multispace. The new model offers zero-emission driving and, with a range of up to 106 miles, it is aimed at both private customers and businesses alike.

The new E-Berlingo Multispace extends Citroën’s electric vehicle range, which already includes the C-Zero, E-Mehari (which isn’t available in the UK) and the commercially-orientated Berlingo Electric LCV.

The permanent magnet synchronous motor is paired with lithium-ion battery packs positioned in the subframe on either side of the rear axle. This means the cabin layout and boot volume are retained. The E-Berlingo Multispace is fully adaptable and boasts a modular design that can accommodate up to five people, or larger loads when the seats in row 2 are folded away. The boot volume is claimed to be amongst the best in class at 675 litres with five people on-board, increasing to 3,000 litres with the row 2 seats folded away. The row 2 seats can also be removed completely to create a fully flat load area.

There are two sliding side doors, plus a large rear tailgate. The tailgate has an window that opens independently, making loading the boot easier in confined spaces.

Citroën says the new models offers all the benefits associated with a 100 per cent electric vehicle, including enviromental advantages, low runnning costs, plus taxation and parking benefits. The new E-Berlingo Multispace is equipped with the same electric drivetrain as the Berlingo Electric LCV, which is already in service with numerous fleet customers across Europe.

With a range of 106 miles, measured on the NEDC cycle, Citroën believes the E-Berlingo Multispace is perfectly adapted to consumer use, pointing out that the majority of European motorists drive less than 60 miles each day.

The E-Berlingo Multispace can be re-charged to 50 per cent of its total range in 15 minutes or to 80 per cent of capacity in 30 minutes from a dedicated rapid charge point. This uses the vehicle’s D/C rapid charging port (CHAdeMO). The standard charge time is 8 hours using the 16 A, Type 2 cable or as little as 10 hours from a domestic 3-pin socket. The motor also provides regenerative braking when the vehicle is slowing down, helping to re-charge the batteries and reduce brake wear.

The new E-Berlingo Multispace develops 66 bhp and has 148 ft lb of torque immediately available. The two lithium-ion battery packs, with a combined rating of 22.5kWh, lower the car’s centre of gravity for more dynamic stability.

The new E-Berlingo Multispace comes with remote-controlled functions for use via a smartphone. These functions include a facility that allows the driver to pre-heat or cool the interior prior to accessing the vehicle. The driver can also remotely check the car’s battery charge level.

There is also an innovative eco-driving assistance programme, which helps the driver adopt the most economical driving style to optimise range. The navigation system displays speed limits and traffic information, as well as charging points that can be reached by the vehicle based on the remaining range.

The new Citroën E-Berlingo Multispace is designed to have significantly lower running costs than an equivalent petrol or diesel powered Berlingo Multispace. The traction battery is included in the purchase price of the vehicle and comes with an 8-year/60,000 mile warranty.

Available equipment includes air conditioning, parking sensors, speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control (ESC) combined with Hill-Start Assist and a 7-inch touchscreen. The E-Berlingo Multispace also features in-car connectivity with Bluetooth and Mirror Screen technology.

The new E-Berlingo Multispace will be assembled at the Vigo production site and will go on sale in the UK during the third quarter of 2017.

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