Citroen woos trades
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• Citroen is introducing a couple of variants of the Relay van calculated to appeal to tradesmen: the new medium-wheelbase, standard-height versions of the Relay 1000 and 1400 have a loadspace length of 2.86m350mm longer than the shortwheelbase model. They are intended for operators such as plumbers and carpet fitters, and will compete against models such as the long-wheelbase Ford Transit.
Both models have a load volume of 9m3 and a wider side loading door than the shortwheelbase model 1,265mm rather than 1,090mm. GVW of the Relay 1000 (fitted with the 71hp 1.9-litre diesel) is 2,800kg,
while the Relay 1400 (86hp 2.5litre diesel) goes up to 3,250kg; payloads are 1,060kg and 1,450kg. Citroen prices went up last month, and the Relay 1000 costs £12,815 (exVAT); the 1400 costs £14,810. Similar models arc already available from Fiat (the Ducat()) and Peugeot (the Boxer).
The longer, lower Relays are an attempt to move into a market traditionally dominated by long-wheelbase versions of
Japanese vans such as the Toyota Hiace, now no longer made; Toyota itself is soon to introduce a longer version of the Hiace Powervan (CM 31 Oct-6 Nov).