[Car that Shiba Inu Haru is worried about] Citroen Berlingo ... You can freely use it as a belt or as a sash.

If there is an item of "MPV" in Kojien (the 7th edition at hand has "MVP"), I would like to make an illustration of this Citroen "Berlango". This is because it is a car that can be freely used as a band or as a sash, going to the ground of MPV (utility vehicle).

In fact, it appeared at about the same time in Europe (1996, "Kangoo" in 1997) as that rival car familiar in Japan. However, this model, which is the third generation of "Berlango", made its official debut in Japan on a sunny day. Last year, when we solicited advance reservations online, it took five and a half hours to fill up, but the catalog model was finally released.

"A feeling different from domestic minivans"

The actual vehicle has a total length of 4405 mm, but the total height and width are 1850 mm, and the first impression is volumey. However, based on the pure simplicity such as the resin-colored bumper, the latest Citroen-like design such as the front mask and the "air bump" on the body side is incorporated, and when you use it in the real world and get on and off, it is a domestic minivan. You can enjoy a different feeling.

What impresses me is the size of the room. Especially in the second row, the width of the shoulder opening is about 147 cm (hereinafter, all the numbers in cm notation are the values ​​actually measured by the author and are approximate), the overhead is enough to accommodate any number of magnolia kobus, and the floor to ceiling is about 140 cm. There is also, and it is really blame. The seat itself is a little down like the other Citroen PeopleMover 3 seats, but it's not unreasonable to sit the hull in the center of the rear seat as shown in the photo.

The seat belt in the center seat has two buckles because it is a two-point stop system that pulls out from the ceiling, but the belt (a special belt that connects the hull harness and the buckle) can also be inserted into the buckle identified as "black". However, it is wrong, and if you do not set it correctly on the red buckle, the seatbelt non-wearing warning light will come on. In terms of seats, it should not be overlooked that the front two armrests can be removed as needed.

The sliding door has an opening width of 67 to 70 cm and a height of 114 cm. The height from the ground to the side sill is about 43 cm. The height to the seat is 66-70 cm. Getting on and off is easy. Also, depending on the current situation or individual differences of the sliding door, it is necessary to consciously pull the handle strongly when pulling the handle to close (open), but the "closing sound" is tan! And very quiet. As you can see, the latch & striker is installed behind the sliding door, so the difference between the position is far and the impact sound due to "pulling" (usually "pushing") at the moment of locking I suspect there isn't. Don't hear the closing sound of the front door! But the volume is small.

Pay attention to the easy-to-use luggage space

The test drive is the basic grade "FEEL", which omits the standard panoramic roof, the storage room at the rear of the ceiling, and the center console for the advanced grade. However, if you look around, the doors, luggage space, and other parts have been fully trimmed, giving you a feeling of alienation. The body color (iron plate) can be seen from the room only around the window of the rear gate.

Also, the "size" of the luggage space seems to be easy to use, and in fact it is easy to use. Even when using the rear seats, the floor has a width of 1200 mm and a depth of 90 cm, is a size that can be loaded with Euro pallets, and has a height of about 120 cm. Furthermore, since the flexible luggage tray can be set and used in two ways, the upper and middle stages, it is possible to use the luggage space in two stages. This board is also good for places where pets are allowed to play, for example, with the car parked (withstand load of 25 kg). With the rear gate open, the so-called sweep-out floor, there is a concern that pets will pop out, but even with the gate closed and the glass hatch open, there is a depth of about 25 cm from the bottom of the window to the board, so you can rest assured.

The hull in the photo was taken in this state, and although he leaned forward (!?), He connected the leads, used the top tether anchor for the child seat on the back of the rear seat as the lead hook, and stopped it with a carabiner. There is. The glass hatch is also one of the really convenient functions such as putting in and taking out a little luggage and a narrow space where the entire rear gate cannot be opened.

Experience the unique ride quality of Citroen

And running. This time, I put a hull on it and went back and forth to the park near my house for shooting, but what I realized was the good ride that is unique to Citroen. The modern Citroen has a much tighter ride than the old Citroen, but it still has a comfortable ride. Especially when passing through joints and steps on the road surface, it is good to relieve the shock firmly, and the way the car is shaken is pavement, and there is a high sense of security that the stroke and speed when shaking are responsible to the end. It's unique. Hull usually reacts to the first sound and vibration at the beginning of the ride, but with regard to "Berlango", the shaking does not diverge and become unstable, so there is no such discomfort. I knew that it wasn't there and I was calm.

The engine is equipped with a 1.5-liter diesel turbo (130ps / 300Nm), which is combined with an 8-speed AT. Since the weight of the car is 1610 kg, when starting, the accelerator is stepped on slightly faster (larger) for the acceleration that you imagine (because the reporter usually starts to step slowly with the accelerator work). ), But if it reaches the 2000 rpm range, it will show a smooth and powerful run from there. The shifter is a simple dial type, and you can also manually shift by pressing the M button.

It is encouraging that the support system that comes as standard equipment, such as lane keep assist, active safety brake, active cruise control, and back camera, is also substantial.