Citroen Relay – the consummate all-rounder

The new Citroen Relay, which goes on sale in the UK on 19 October, represents a major advance for both the company and its customers. To succeed in one of the most hotly contested sectors of the light commercial vehicle market, new Relay makes full use of the benefits of innovative, premium quality design and engineering.

Significantly the latest Relay brings the operational and cost saving benefits of improved productivity, greater model choice, attractive pricing and premium residual values, as well as lower ABI insurance groupings and extended, up-to-25,000 mile service intervals. In addition, it takes Citroen into the 4.0 tonne gvw sector for the very first time.

Innovative design and premium engineering have enabled Citroen to offer a versatile range of new Relays that are longer, lower, bigger and better equipped than their major competitors. They are also easier to buy thanks to interest free finance, while the wide choice of over 70 models means there is a model for virtually all operational requirements in the up to 4.05 tonne gvw sector.

The new Relay range includes panel vans, window vans, combis, chassis cabs, chassis crew cabs and chassis scuttles. All models are covered by Citroen’s unique, flexible two year unlimited mileage/three year 100,000 mile warranty package, which underlines the range’s premium quality credentials.

Citroen has paid particular attention to ensuring that the driver and crew of new Relay have a safer, more comfortable and practical working environment. As such, new Relay incorporates key safety features such as ABS and EBA as standard, together with the option of ESP with traction control and a Hill Start Assist function.

Variable power assisted steering is standard on most models and, recognising that a van’s day to day operation now takes places in ever more congested surroundings, new Relay has a significantly tighter turning circle than much of its competition.

New Relay is designed to go further without maintenance, achieve even higher standards of fuel economy, provide the driver/crew with a comfortable and practical working environment and retain an unprecedented level of residual value.

An industry-first is the fitting, as standard, to all new Relay panel vans, of Trafficmaster Smartnav GPS Satellite Navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking systems (see separate release for details). Trafficmaster Smartnav GPS Satellite Navigation makes the driver’s job easier, while the operator benefits from the reduction in wasted mileage and shorter journey times.

New Relay – model designation

The latest Relay range brings with it a new, logical and simple model designation system. The four available gross weights are designated as 30 (3.0 tonne gvw), 33 (3.3 tonne gvw), 35 (3.5 tonne gvw) and 40 (4.05 tonne gvw). The four available lengths are designated as L1 (short), L2 (medium), L3 (long) and L4 (extra long) and the three roof heights are H1 (standard), H2 (high) and H3 (extra high).

New Relay – body features

Modern, distinctive styling sets new Relay apart from its competition and introduces a range of practical benefits. At the front end, the substantial bumper assembly provides effective frontal impact protection and incorporates two inset steps to enable the driver to reach up and clean the large windscreen. Another practical feature of the front bumper is its three-part construction which minimises accident repair costs.

Unique, boomerang shaped headlights add to new Relay’s futuristic looks and also provide even higher standards of illumination. Moving round the body, it has large door handles, which have been specifically designed to be used equally easily with either hand. All panel vans are fitted with a large, single nearside sliding door, which is full height on both low and medium roof height models and is wide enough to load a standard ISO pallet.

To protect the body side and rear door panels, new Relay has deep rubbing strips, while at the rear the bumper is again of a three piece construction to provide optimum protection and minimum repair costs. The rear bumper also includes a full width, slip-resistant rear step.

Relay panel vans have large, full height twin rear doors, which are available in glazed or unglazed formats. The doors open out to 180 degrees as standard and can be optionally specified to open a full 270 degrees to fold back against the body sides.

New Relay – advanced power train

Advanced new, fuel efficient, common rail, high pressure injection Euro IV HDi diesel engines are fitted to all new Relays. A 2.2HDi engine is available in both 100hp (74kW) and 120hp (88kW) versions. The largest engine is a 3.0HDi 160hp (115kW) unit. These new HDi engines, like all other modern Citroen diesels, can run on up to 30 per cent bio-diesel, without modification.

A feature of all these new HDi engines is their high peak torque ratings and wide torque spreads - key ingredients in optimising performance and fuel efficiency. The 100hp engine is matched with a 5-speed gearbox, while the two higher power units are fitted with six-speed, all synchromesh gearboxes.

The 2.2HDi 100hp engine has a peak torque rating of 250Nm, which is developed between 1500 and 2800 rpm, while the 2.2HDi 120hp unit offers a peak torque rating of 320Nm, which is developed from 2000 to 2300 rpm. The range-topping 3.0HDi develops a massive 400Nm which is available from 1700 to 2550 rpm.

New Relay – greater panel van choice

The new Relay panel van range has been specifically designed for maximum load carrying capacity and operator efficiency. Key models, such as the new Relay 30 L1H1 100hp and Relay 35 L3H2 120 panel vans, actually have a better payload than the models they replace – despite being bigger and better equipped. The unladen weight increase of other new Relay panel vans has been minimised, thus preserving Citroen’s high payload credentials.

For practicality all Relay 30, 33 and 35 standard models have a rear loading height of just 530mm, while the 35 and 40 Heavy model Relays, with uprated rear suspension and larger wheels and tyres, have a low rear loading height of 560mm. A rear suspension self levelling option, which incorporates a lowering facility that allows the rear deck height to be reduced by a further 70mm, improves vehicle control and stability, as well as braking performance, when fully laden.

As well as being closer to the ground for easier loading, all new Relay panel vans offer larger internal body dimensions than the models they replace. The smallest new Relay, the L1H1 panel van can be specified in 3.0, 3.3 and 3.5 tonne gross weights - this panel van body configuration is expected to be the best seller in the range. As such Citroen has ensured that this Relay model offers more than its competitors, with a high payload and a load space volume of 8.0cu.m, which is significantly greater than the majority of its rivals.

The high internal load capacity of the new Relay L1H1 is a product of its generous internal dimensions, which include a load length of 2670mm, a maximum load width of 1870mm and a between-the-wheel arches dimension of 1422mm.

This not only allows an 8 x 4 sheet to be loaded flat on the floor but also provides greater maximum internal width, greater between-the-wheel arches width and a lower loading height than its main competitors. The standard roof Relay panel van also has an internal load height of 1662mm which provides more headroom than many other competitors’ low roof panel van models.

The medium wheelbase Relay L2 model can be specified in both standard and high roof formats, giving respective load volumes of 10cu.m and 11.5cu.m. The Relay L2 panel van has a load deck length of 3120mm and either an interior load height of 1662mm (H1) or 1932mm (H2). The L2 Relay can be specified in 30, 33, 35 and 40 gross weight versions.

In long wheelbase L3 format, new Relay is available in 33 and 35 gross weight versions with the high roof. In this configuration, the new Relay van has a load deck length of 3705mm and a load height of 1932mm which gives a massive 13cu.m capacity.

The longest and largest Relay panels are the 35 and 40 L4H2 and L4H3 models. These are produced in Heavy specification with larger, 16in diameter wheels and tyres and uprated, heavy duty rear suspension. In L4H2 format the Relay has a load volume of 15cu.m, which is increased to a massive 17cu.m for the L4H3 model. Load deck length of the L4 Relay panel van is an impressive 4070mm.

New Relay – class leading levels of standard equipment

As well as engineering new Relay to premium levels, this important new model has also been equipped to set the standard in a very competitive sector. In particular it features a full range of primary safety equipment including ABS with emergency braking assist (EBA). Other standard safety equipment includes a driver’s airbag and optional passenger, lateral and curtain airbags.

Dependent on model, electronic stability programme (ESP), including traction control and hill start assist, is optionally available. The hill start assist function makes it easier for the driver to hill start a heavily laden vehicle by preventing roll-back for a few seconds when the footbrake is released.

A high degree of security equipment is also fitted as standard. This includes remote central locking on all doors, deadlocks and an engine immobiliser. In addition, a perimetric anti-theft alarm is an option. This high level of security equipment, together with its standard stolen vehicle tracking facility, plays a key role in new Relay’s very low ABI insurance groupings of 5, 6 and 7.

The driver and crew of new Relay enjoy an unrivalled level of comfort and practical features. All models have a dual passenger seat, which incorporates a drop down desk unit. In addition, electric windows and heated electrically operated mirrors are standard together with an RDS stereo radio and CD player.

The truck-type driver’s seat includes a wide range of adjustments and incorporates a height adjustable armrest. To ensure a comfortable driving position is achieved, the steering wheel also adjusts for rake and the dash-mounted gear lever falls easily to hand. A driver’s suspension seat is optionally available.

There is a multitude of in-cab storage areas to provide a generous amount of space for paperwork, sunglasses, drinks and other day-to-day necessities. These include several compartments, two gloveboxes (one of which is lockable, with room for a laptop), a dash-mounted document clip and various open or lidded compartments on the dashboard. In addition, there are large door pockets, a large storage space beneath the passenger seat and a massive 22 litre overhead storage compartment.

New Relay has 12v power sockets in both the cab and in the load compartment and there is a high standard of cab interior lighting. A multi-function trip computer forms part of the vehicle’s electronic instrument display, adding to new Relay’s premium appeal.

The new Relay options range covers safety, comfort and practicality and includes air conditioning, a choice of bulkheads, electric foldable mirrors, extended mirrors, upgraded audio equipment and a choice of communication packages. Cruise control, a speed limiter, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are also available.