After replacing their range of large light commercial vehicles – on sale since mid-June 2006 – PSA Peugeot Citroën and Fiat are continuing to rejuvenate their jointly developed LCV ranges with the unveiling of new compact light commercial vehicles. Designed, engineered and developed fully by PSA Peugeot Citroën, with the assistance of Fiat, the new light commercial vehicles will replace the Peugeot Expert, Citroën Dispatch and Fiat Scudo while the combi-van ranges become a new offer in the passenger car segment. The specifications of the compact light commercial vehicles make them ideal transport solutions for all types of business needs, with significantly higher load capacity and volume than the previous generation. The new LCVs ranges further improve on the already attractive features of their predecessors in terms of comfortable ride, dashboard layout and drivability, which are all similar to passenger car features. The ranges have also been extended, with 9 body styles available in two heights and two lengths.

Overview

The vehicles are produced at Sevel Nord: Investment: €700 million (€260 million for the products and €440 million for the production facilities); 55% of common parts (value) achieved using existing sub-assemblies and components; Annual production capacity: 130,000 units in 3 shifts; Two distinct families: light commercial vehicles and combi-vans, with the same basic technical components; Light commercial vehicles - Nine different body styles: Light commercial vehicles (panelled, semi-panelled, with windows) two lengths and two heights available; Load area volume 5, 6 or 7m3, payload 1,000 or 1,200kg; Cab floor panel for custom coachbuilders. Combi-vans - Four different body styles: Multi-purpose (windows or semi-panelled sides), two lengths available; 5 to 9 seats. Maximum height: 1.90m with pneumatic suspension: for easy access to underground parking facilities. Rear loading sill below 50cm (standard pneumatic suspension position); PSA Peugeot Citroën diesel and petrol engines. Engines: 1.6 litre, 66 kW (90 hp), 2-litre (88 kW - 120hp and 100 kW - 136 hp) for diesel engines with common rail direct injection system and 2 litre (103 kW - 140 hp) for petrol engines. Market launch planned from mid-January 2007.

The compact Light Commercial Vehicles: designed to combine practicality and driving pleasure

Topping the design specification given to our engineers for the new light commercial vehicles were all the benefits that had driven the success of the first generation, in particular a car-like experience in terms of access, cabin, ergonomics, comfort, handling, ride and drivability. The new vehicles’ DNA also had to feature distinctive, innovative exterior and interior styling. Safety and comfort features found in passenger cars were equally essential, since light commercial vehicles customers have extremely demanding expectations in both areas. The new project also focused on creating a functional, highly practical and easy-to-access loading compartment, with the goal of exceeding standard capabilities. Furthermore, the vehicles had to compare favourably with the competition in terms of compact design and size/payload ratio. In short, the new generation had to enhance all of the practicality of a light commercial vehicle, while offering all of the comfort and driving pleasure of a saloon car.

An ethnological approach to deliver truly practical innovations

To ensure that the new vehicles were closely in line with the needs and expectations of their potential customers, marketing teams turned to a novel method based on ethnological research. They listened to what people said about using their vehicles and filmed business users in real world situations. Analysing this wealth of data sparked fresh ideas and led to innovative solutions such as the new interior loading space. Redesign of the interior space began with the following question: how can the current length be extended to enable users to carry long, lightweight items like plastic tubes or copper piping? The solution was to create an interior “tunnel” to join the loading space area to the cabin and the overhead storage compartment.

This increased the available overall length by 65 cm for the standard version, thereby eliminating the need for a roof rack. The cleverly designed internal storage compartment for long items which would previously have required the use of a roof rack is an added value for these versions. The addition of pneumatic suspension maintains the loading sill at a constant height which can be adjusted from -5 to +6 cm.

A lot more features packed into a very compact size

To meet customer demand for greater payload and load space, the new light commercial vehicles are bigger than the previous generation, with basic models 4.80 m long for a payload length of 2.26 m. This offers 25% more load capacity compared with standard models. Total admissible load volume now stands at 5 to 7 m3 for payloads of 1,000 or 1,200 kg. To make loading and unloading easier, the loading sill has been lowered to 57 cm for the short wheelbase models with standard suspension system.
 

With the pneumatic suspension, the nominal sill is under 50 cm and when the vehicle is stationary the height can be lowered a record 45 cm. The loading space has a more square shape than before and the doors open wider for easier access. The side doors, for example, are now wide enough to load euro-pallets (1.20 m x 0.80 m).

An extensive range of body styles to meet every need

Today, light commercial vehicles are being used to meet an ever-greater variety of needs, the market is moving towards bigger loading compartments and heavier payloads. Hence a wider offer with 9 different body styles for our new light commercial vehicle ranges. To address each user’s needs, the design focused on “plug and play” capabilities to make it easier for autobody conversion specialists to customise vehicles. The electrical unit, for example, provides simple, standardised connection of special equipment such as warning light ramps (for ambulances or fire engines) or compressors for refrigerated delivery vans.

Cabin as comfortable as in a saloon car

Cabin ergonomics with a saloon like interior to ensure comfortable driving experience raise strong expectations amongst drivers. Particular care was taken in designing the interior, using digital simulations to determine the optimum comfort angle for the driver’s ankles, shoulders, wrists and elbows. In addition, to allow each driver to find the right position, the steering wheel height and depth are both adjustable.

Same advanced comfort and safety features as found on the latest generation of passenger cars

The new vehicles comfort features are comparable to high specification passenger cars, while safety equipment includes side airbags, cruise control and a speed limiter, as well as electronic stability program (ESP). The ESP anti-roll, originally developed for top-end SUV’s, has been designed for the vehicles’ specific features, including height and load variations.

Innovative for this type of vehicle are the driver support systems, which include reverse parking assistance, automatic activation of low-beam headlights in dim light or heavy rain, and automatic activation of window wipers. Anti-theft devices have been optimised. For example, front and rear compartments lock separately, making it possible to load or unload the vehicles while the passenger compartment remains locked – an important plus that adds peace of mind and security for business users. In addition, a “super-locking” feature based on a high-security lock on the driver’s door is available. This feature activates a lockdown of all interior opening controls – for example when a window is broken – earning the vehicle the top score of five stars in the Thatcham New Vehicle Security Ratings.

The combi-vans: an all-new solution for motorway cruising

Multi-purpose combi-vans designed for passenger transport represent a whole new model range. Designed to address the needs of two major user groups – firstly, business users who transport large numbers of passengers and luggage. Secondly, leisure-orientated customers looking for more load
space at an affordable price: an MPV-like vehicle in an extra-large size. The interior is incredibly bright thanks to the large window areas. The panoramic windscreen – one of the biggest on the market – affords excellent visibility from both front and rear seats, and the latter are raised, theatrestyle, to let passengers see over the front seats. High-performance climate control is another important feature. An optional second independent air-conditioning system covers the rear of the vehicle to guarantee superb comfort for passengers in the middle and back seats. Simultaneous circulation of heat through top and bottom vents marks a significant advance for this category of vehicle. The combi-vans offer increased comfort for occupants when fitted with pneumatic suspension. This option also highlights the practicality of the vehicle: height below 1.9 m allowing access to underground parking and very low loading sill (under 50 cm).

A range of modern, fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly engines

The new vehicles’ engines are manufactured by PSA Peugeot Citroën and have been adjusted and adapted to comply with Euro IV emissions standards, applicable as of January 2007 for new light commercial vehicles sold in Europe. They cover the complete spectrum of needs in a market heavily weighted towards diesels (99%+ of light commercial vehicles European sales). Three high-performance diesel engines – a 1.6 litre, 66 kW (90hp), a 2 litre 88 kW- 120 hp and a 2 litre 100 kW -136 hp – deliver widely-acclaimed driving comfort and best-in-class fuel efficiency and low emission performance. To further enhance the vehicles’ environmental credentials, a PSA Peugeot Citroën diesel particulate filter (DPFS) will be offered on versions equipped with the most powerful diesel engines. A 2 litre, 103 kW (140 hp) petrol engine is also available, designed primarily for the combi-van ranges. Its high fuel efficiency and 33% extended time between servicing (now set at every 30,000 km) helps to reduce total cost of ownership.