VIDEO: Citroen Dispatch gets WRC treatment

Citroen has created a new short film to show off the benefits of basing its all-new Dispatch delivery van on PSA's EMP2 car platform.

The video shows current Citroen WRC driver Kris Meeke and co-pilot, Paul Nagle, tackle a purpose-built rally stage near the Silverstone F1 circuit in the UK.

Showing surprising agility, Meeke manages to coax the Dispatch into lurid drifts while, along the way, demonstrating some of the van's more mundane features, like its Bluetooth hands-free calling.

The EMP2 platform, which currently underpins Peugeot's 308, is claimed in its van application to be significantly stiffer than the platform it replaces while bringing large weight savings of around 150kg compared to the previous van.

Rivalling other mid-size vans like the Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit, Hyundai iLoad and Mercedes-Benz Vito, the new Dispatch is currently "being evaluated for Australian introduction", says local importer Sime Darby.

Powered by a new range of Euro 6 BlueHDi 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesel engines, which range in output from 72kW/210Nm to 135kW/400Nm, the new van offers considerably lower running costs compared to the model it replaces with fuel consumption is as low as 5.1L/100km.

Service intervals, meanwhile, have been stretched to once every 40,000km.

The Dispatch, and its Peugeot clone the Partner, will also be the first vans in their class to bring features such as hands-free sliding side doors, autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera, Driver Attention Alert, auto high-beam and voice-controlled connected 3D navigation with real-time traffic info.

Both vans can carry up to 1400kg, offer up to 6.6 cubic-metres of load volume and tow up to 2500kg. They will be available in three lengths ranging from 4.6 to 5.3 metres, while a relatively low roof height of 1.9m making them “particularly well suited to urban journeys”, says PSA.

PSA also says both vans achieved a maximum five-star crash safety rating in Euro NCAP tests.

In Europe, PSA’s new vans will be available in extended-cab form with five or six fixed or fold-up seats, as a cab/chassis for specialist conversions, and in Combi people-mover guise with up to nine seats. It's not known which variants are being considered for Australia.