Citroen Nemo named Best City Van

Small van, big load. The Citroen Nemo is one of the few vans in this sector to offer serious carrying capacity and that, plus its excellent driving qualities, clinched it for the judges

CITROEN well and truly shook up the city van sector when it launched the Nemo back in 2008.

Until then most manufacturers offered only car-derived vehicles in this sector with load volumes of  around one cubic metre, thus severely restricting any businesses which wanted deliver larger loads in urban areas.

Citroen cranked the Nemo’s load volume right up to 2.5 cubic metres (2.8 if you choose the optional fold-down passenger seat) and since then small traders with urban needs have been snapping up this perky performer by the shedload.

But the Nemo is much more than just a large van on a small chassis. The HDi 75 manual LX is one of the UK’s most economical hi-cube vans.

Its 75bhp diesel powerplant provides the performance to suit both local and long distance work and returns up to 62.8mpg on the combined cycle,with low CO2 emissions of 119g/km.

It is also available with a two-pedal automated manual gearbox and Stop & Start, which improves combined cycle fuel consumption to 68.9mpg and cuts CO2 emissions to just 109g/km.

It is very compact at 3.86 metres long and has a tight 9.95m turning circle. For a small van it has a high 660kg payload and a large load compartment, which can take a Euro pallet or load lengths of 2,493mm, with the Extenso front passenger seat folded flat.

The LX is the mid trim level and offers most features required by today’s driver. However, there is a less expensive X specification and a range-topping Enterprise model which adds air conditioning, Bluetooth/USB socket and rear parking sensors for an extra £600.

Out on the road the Nemo offers a fun ride, with plenty of power on tap and pleasing road manners that will put a big smile on the face of any driver.

Judge Eddie Parker, LCV consultant at GE Capital Fleet Services, commented: “I swung to the Citroen Nemo as a winner as a result of Citroen’s heavy focus on local business users’ needs.”

The Business Van of the Year Awards 2014 are supported by MAGMA Automotive.