Leading the unveilings at the CV Show are the trio of mid-sized vans built in a joint programme by Citroën, Peugeot and Toyota.
The latest-generation Citroën Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace all have their global debuts in Birmingham ahead of order books opening in June for first deliveries in September.
All three vehicles are the product of a long and successful partnership between PSA Group, parent company of Peugeot and Citroen, and Toyota. The three brands co-operate in other areas, building city cars the Citroen C1, Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo together.
The three vans boast few differences – all are being offered in three panel van load lengths, including a new compact version, while crew cab and platform cab variants will also be available. The compact will also be sold as a nine-seat combi model.
Compacts measure 4.6 metres long, standard models 4.95m and Long versions 5.3m. Maximum payload is 1400kg, with a 6.6 cubic metre load volume and 2,500kg towing capacity.
The new models also boast a lower-than-usual height of 1.9 metres to enable easier access to urban environments such as underground car parks.
All three vans come with a number of notable features to add to their versatility, including a lifting hatch in the load bay front bulkhead, which combined with a liftable and securable front passenger seat enables the carrying of items such as ladders or pipes measuring up to four metres in length.
Peugeot and Citroën have also used the show to release full prices for their ranges, which stretch across five engines and three trim levels, comprising a total of 47 models.
Prices start from £17,495 (basic price plus VAT) for the Compact panel van with a BlueHDI 95 engine and manual transmission. Standard variants cost from £18,195, Long versions from £19,095.
Entry-level Citroën X and Peugeot S models include in their specification two sliding side doors, unglazed twin rear doors, a full steel bulkhead, remote locking with deadlocks, a dual passenger bench seat, DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control and electric windows.
Enterprise/Professional trim adds an alarm, rear parking sensors, Moduwork, touchscreen DAB audio, air conditioning and heated electric door mirrors, while Plus versions include an upgraded payload, rear parking camera, auto headlamps and wipers, body-coloured bumpers, front fog lights, 16-inch alloy wheels and metallic paint.
