Citroen Dispatch XTR+L1H1

Jan 30 2010 Ian Johnson

SOMETIMES an ordinary van is not enough.

When you are expected to deliver and collect goods to remote places on rough, slippery roads and cart tracks in slippery conditions a conventional commercial can come to grief.

The alternative is to purchase one of the few 4x4 vans on the market but they usually come with higher operating costs or compromise normal on-road performance.

But there is an answer called enhanced traction which offers an effective solution to a wide range of on/off-road transport requirements.

France has taken a lead in this field and the Citroen XTR+ is proving that it can go places many other commercials cannot reach.

Based on the Dispatch 2.0 Hdi 120bhp L1H1 van, this option is the only van of its type available in its sector. It differs from the conventional van in featuring a sophisticated FAM Reinforced Traction limited-slip differential.

It is 30mm higher than the normal version with heavy duty suspension and revised steering geometry. There is comprehensive underbody and under-engine protection and the van's 16in wheels are shod with Michelin Agilis S-1 215/60 R16 snow and ice tyres.

And it certainly works because I tried the vehicle on some very tricky cart tracks covered in mud and sometimes ice and it performed exceptionally.

But this is what you expect of Citroen which has leapt to prominence in the British commercial market. The XTR+ is light years ahead of the little Van Rouge and Van Blanc vehicles which really started the ball rolling in 1985.

In fact this manufacturer has played a major role in proving that vans do not have to be ugly, boring or dreadful to drive.

This, plus tremendous practicality was why the Dispatch won the International Van of the Year title in 2008.

The Dispatch started life some years ago with up to date styling and car-like driving qualities and since then it has been developed into a benchmark of forward-thinking light commercial design with a version for just about every use.

The XTR+ comes with a single passenger seat, steel bulkhead, twin side-sliding doors and outward opening rear doors. Compared to previous models, the latest Dispatch vans have an up to 75% larger load compartment and massively cost-effective to operate.

My test vehicle cost £18,530 plus VAT and is enormously lively for its size. And there is not a trace of drudgery about driving this smooth French mover.

FAST FACTS

Citroen Dispatch XTR+L1H1

Price: £18,530

Mechanical: 120bhp, 2.0 HDi turbo diesel engine with six-speed gearbox

Payload: 1200kg

Insurance group: 7

Warranty: 2yrs/ unlimited mileage or 3yrs/ 100,000 miles