The Citroën Nemo compact high-cube van will make its UK public debut at this year’s CV show in the NEC15-17 April 2008 and go on immediate sale.

Robert Handyside, Citroën’s commercial vehicle operations manager, said of the newcomer and changes to the range, “2007 was Citroën’s best-ever year for commercial vehicle sales, with 25,530 sold.
"With the UK launch of the new Nemo, Citroën can build on this success.

"The company now has one of the most modern and comprehensive LCV ranges of any manufacturer, which extends from 0.84cu.m through to a massive 17cu.m load carrying capacity and nearly 2.0 tonnes payload.”

The Citroën Nemo is particularly appealing for use in urban environments, where its compact size, ease of manoeuvrability and low emissions (119g/km CO₂ for the 1.4HDi model) characteristics will be of major benefit.  Full details of the UK Nemo specification and pricing will be announced nearer to its spring on-sale date.

To suit its urban role the new compact high cube Nemo is just 3.86m long, but has a large internal load volume of 2.5cu.m and a payload of 610kg.  The Nemo will be available with a choice of a 75hp 1.4i petrol engine or Citroën’s ultra-economical 70hp 1.4HDi diesel engine (63mpg/4.5 l/100 km on the combined cycle).  Both engines are coupled to five speed manual gearboxes.

In addition a Citroën five-speed automated manual transmission will also be an option for Nemo vans powered by the 1.4HDi engine.  This two-pedal option combines the benefits of automatic transmission with the fuel efficiency and emissions advantages of a manual vehicle, making it especially suited for around-town use.

Other Nemo features include the availability of single or twin sliding, side-load doors as well as twin rear doors that can be easily opened to 180o.  In addition, the Nemo introduces an Extenso modular passenger seat, as well as a versatile modular bulkhead system.  These two features provide the Nemo with a wide range of passenger and load carrying configurations.

The Extenso passenger seat allows the seatback to fold horizontally onto the seat cushion, or the entire seat to be stored under the floor, adding almost one metre to the load length. With the Extenso seat folded and stored under the floor the available load length is increased to almost 2.50m and the load volume expanded to nearly 2.8cu.m.

The modular mesh bulkhead between the Nemo’s cab and the load bay provides full width/height protection.  If long loads are to be carried, the bulkhead section behind the folded Extenso passenger seat can be swung in towards the driver to provide complete protection from the load behind and alongside.

The wide, high windscreen provides the driver with maximum visibility and provides a light and airy working environment. On its sides the Nemo has broad mouldings to provide protection against minor knocks, while at the rear a large door aperture and low floor height makes loading/unloading easy.  The high set rear lights are also well protected from accidental damage.

For Peugeot, 2008 marks the completion of its strategy to completely update and increase its range of light commercial vehicles with the addition of two new vans.

It has taken just two years for all the models in the Peugeot light commercial range to be replaced. When the New Peugeot Bipper and Partner vans are launched later this year, Peugeot’s range of light commercial vehicles will never have been as extensive.

With a range that covers payloads from 1 m3 to 17 m3 and payloads of 450 kg to 1910 kg, there is a Peugeot light commercial vehicle to meet all requirements.

Environmental protection is a key strength of the Peugeot LCV range with all vehicles able to run on a 30% mix of bio-diesel without any modifications, all having low CO₂ emissions and the fitment of a Diesel Particulate Emission System (FAP) on the Expert HDi 136 Van.

At the show, Peugeot will be showing examples of all its current range as well as the new Bipper and Partner vans. Several specialist converted vehicles will also be displayed, including a minibus conversion from Red Kite, the E7 Expert Taxi and a converted New Partner van, specially adapted for access for a disabled person.