Introducing the Citroën Berlingo: Electric only

When Citroën launched the Berlingo on the market 27 years ago, the French company started a new segment for which the less than charming name of high-roof estate was coined in Germany. With this model, the developers combined the characteristics of a small van for trade and commerce with those of a family van, which was readily accepted by price-conscious customers. These compact vans are now part of almost every manufacturer's model range.

With the new version, which will be launched next spring, the Berlingo will bid farewell to combustion engines - at least in Europe. Instead, a 136 hp (100 kW) electric motor will take over, which, coupled with a 50 kWh LFP battery, should achieve a range of 320 kilometers (according to the WLTP measurement method). The developers promise that the range of the e-Berlingo can be further increased by means of the regenerative braking system. The three levels of recuperation can be set using new paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The person behind the steering wheel can also choose from three driving settings (Eco, Power and Normal). For an extra charge, a heat pump can be ordered to warm up the interior and conserve range.

Charging takes place with a 7.4 kW on-board charger (7.5 hours charging time). An eleven kW three-phase charger is available for an extra charge. This reduces the charging time to five hours. At a public 100 kW charging station, it takes 30 minutes to charge the battery to 80 percent. The e-Routes app is on board for better travel planning.

The front of the e-Berlingo has been redesigned and adopts the brand's new design with the new c, reminiscent of the company's early years. Roof racks are only offered in the higher trim levels. In the interior, the person behind the steering wheel and their neighbor look at a completely new dashboard with a central ten-inch screen. The instrument cluster can be configured to suit individual requirements.

In the comfort department, those responsible have given the e-Berlingo Advanced Comfort seats. In the rear, the three individual seats can be individually adjusted. The electric Berlingo is available in two sizes, M (4.40 meters) and XL (4.75 meters). In the long version, two additional seats are available in the third row for an extra charge. With the front passenger seat folded down, the completely flat loading floor reaches 2.70 meters in the M version and 3.05 meters in the XL version. Depending on the version, the cargo space in the rear can hold between 775 and 4000 liters.

The connectivity has also been revised and offers a simple voice recognition system and a reversing camera, among other things. The developers have placed a wireless charger for smartphones and two USB ports in the center console. A total of 18 driving assistants including a head-up system, adaptive cruise control and trailer hitch stability control are available for the e-Berlingo. (aum/ww)