Citroen Nemo – the smallest, biggest van

The new Citroen Nemo is a key addition to the company’s UK light commercial vehicle range. On UK sale in May, Nemo will be available with a choice of two engines and two trim levels. All Nemo models offer operators the benefits of compact external dimensions and large internal load volume.

Nemo earns its designation as the smallest, biggest van as it has internal load compartment dimensions and a payload capacity equal to or better than many of its larger high-cube rivals.

The new Nemo is positioned in the Citroen range between the existing C2 Enterprise van and the newly launched Berlingo First. Though the new Nemo will particularly appeal to urban/suburban-based businesses where its compact external dimensions are of great practical benefit, thanks to its responsive engine, excellent fuel economy and efficient suspension/running gear, it is also well suited to longer distance operation or motorway use.

Robert Handyside, Citroen’s commercial vehicle operations manager, comments, “The introduction of Nemo adds the smallest, biggest van to the Citroen range. It offers a unique solution to an increasing range of business transport applications. With road traffic congestion becoming steadily worse there is an increasing need for vans which are small on the outside and large on the inside to work efficiently in crowded urban environments. Nemo is able to answer these demanding applications, providing a stylish, cost-effective and highly efficient solution for many operators.”

Priced from £7,995 + VAT + delivery, the new four-model Nemo range includes X and LX trim levels and offers a choice of an ultra-fuel efficient 1.4HDi 70hp diesel engine or a 1.4i 75hp petrol engine. Both petrol and diesel-engined Nemos are available in well-equipped X trim format, while the diesel powered models are also offered in high-specification LX versions.

Reinforcing its urban credentials, the new Nemo is just 3.86m long and has a tight turning-circle of just 9.95m. Yet, it has a large internal load volume of 2.5cu.m and a high payload of 610kg – both attributes which many of its larger high-cube competitors find hard to beat.

SensoDrive, Citroen’s clutchless, automated manual transmission will be available to order from the Nemo’s launch. This option is only available with the super fuel-efficient 1.4HDi engine and delivers all the benefits of a conventional automatic transmission, with the fuel economy and low CO2 emissions characteristics of a manual gearbox.

Significantly, all 1.4HDi-powered Nemos have CO2 emissions below the critical 120g/km level.

Nemo – load carrying efficiency
Within its compact overall length of 3860mm, new Nemo offers a large internal load compartment of 2.5cu.m. As well as being large, the Nemo’s load compartment is practical, providing the benefits of near vertical side walls to enable maximum utilisation of available internal space. In standard format Nemo has a load deck length of 1520mm, a width between arches of 1050mm and a maximum internal load height of 1180mm.

If the Extenso® folding/sliding passenger seat option is specified, this already very large load compartment increases to 2.8cu.m and also provides Nemo with an incredible near-2.5m load length. The Extenso® passenger seat back can be folded horizontally onto the seat cushion and the whole seat lowered so that the now horizontal seat back is level with the load compartment floor. This adds an extra 970mm to the Nemo’s load length and increases the available load volume by a further 0.3cu.m.

Payload capability of all Nemo models is 610kg – greater than many of its larger high-cube rivals. And, Nemo has been carefully designed to ensure that it is easy to load and unload. Access to the load compartment is via two asymmetric hinged rear doors that can be easily opened to 180o. As standard, the rear doors are unglazed, but can be optionally specified in glazed format where required.

All models have a ladder frame bulkhead behind the driver’s seat as standard. A number of competitively priced bulkhead options are available including a full steel bulkhead which can be supplied with or without a window, or a half-height steel bulkhead can be specified with an upper mesh grille.

Loading from the rear is further eased thanks to the low, 530mm sill height. Standard equipment for Nemo LX vans includes a nearside sliding side load door and all models can also be specified with twin sliding side load doors as an option. Other standard Nemo load compartment features include floor-mounted tie-down eyes and protective panelling to the waist rail.

In the LX, load security is enhanced with programmable remote central locking. This enables the load compartment to be locked independently of the cab using the plip control from the outside or via a dashboard button – a feature not often found on vans in this price bracket. Also, with the LX model, the doors lock automatically on starting the engine and there is an indicator to warn the driver if any doors are unlocked.

Nemo – styled to impress
Nemo’s modern and stylish appearance makes it stand out in a busy street. Its cheeky external appearance belies a detailed and practical design approach. The Nemo’s stylish front end incorporates headlamps positioned high up to avoid minor knocks and a large wraparound bumper for effective protection. The wide, high windscreen provides the driver with maximum visibility and gives a light and airy working environment.

If the worst comes to the worst, Nemo offers the latest standards of occupant protection, with a cross-beam of high yield-strength steel built into the front bumper, which is itself mounted on shock absorbers that limit intrusion into the cabin in a frontal impact.

On its sides Nemo has broad mouldings to provide protection against minor knocks, while at the rear a large door aperture and low floor height make loading/unloading easy. The high set rear lights are also well protected from accidental damage.

Nemo – high standards of comfort and safety
Driving in today’s highly congested urban environment is extremely stressful. With Nemo, Citroen has gone back to the drawing board to ensure that this compact high-cube van is as good for the driver as it is for the business.

Nemo’s large cabin doors make for easy access and egress, addressing a key, fatigue-inducing factor of urban multi-drop deliveries. Inside the cabin, plenty of space and good visibility are equally important – and Nemo delivers in these key areas. Nemo also has a well laid-out dashboard, which includes a trip computer. All controls, including the dashboard-mounted gear lever fall easily to hand. This, together with a comfortable, multi-adjustable driving position and optimally-assisted steering further reduce driving effort. Large, internally-adjustable mirrors make it easier for the driver.

Nemo also delivers when it comes to safety. A full range of active and passive safety features, including ABS, a driver’s airbag and seatbelts which have force-limiters and pyrotechnic pre-tensioners are all standard. Passenger and lateral airbags are optionally available.

In addition to power steering, all Nemos have a high-quality stereo radio, with MP3-compatible CD player and four speakers. For just an extra £720 the Nemo LX models offer an even higher level of standard equipment, including nearside sliding side load door electric front windows, electrically-adjustable and heated door mirrors, a lockable glove-box, remote central locking, a driver’s seat with height and lumbar adjustment, plus an armrest and a folding passenger seat, as well as a reach and rake adjustable steering column.

An extensive range of options is available for the Nemo including a Bluetooth hands-free kit, cruise control rear parking assistance and air conditioning.

Nemo – state-of-the-art running-gear
The Nemo’s running-gear is designed to keep it safely on the road whatever the weight and type of operation, while maintaining optimum comfort. Its sophisticated suspension includes an independent MacPherson strut set-up, complete with anti-roll bar at the front and a flexible transverse beam, with shock-absorbers at the rear.

All Nemo models have 257mm ventilated front discs and rear drum brakes with ABS fitted as standard. Standard wheels are 14-inch units with 175/70 Michelin tyres. Uniquely, for this size of van, the Nemo is optionally available with an All-Road Pack. This includes larger 15-inch wheels with 185/65 tyres to provide increased ground clearance and greater traction. In addition this Pack also includes an under-engine protection skid plate and reinforced under-body protection to help Nemo find its feet on building sites and similar rough terrain.

Nemo – proven petrol or diesel power
Nemo comes with a choice of petrol or diesel power units which have been proven to deliver optimum levels of performance and economy. The 1.4i petrol engine, which is primarily offered for conversion to dual-fuel (petrol/LPG) operation, develops 54kW (72hp) at 5,200rpm. Its maximum torque is 118Nm at 2,600rpm. The average combined fuel consumption of the Nemo 1.4i is 6.9l/100km (41.0mpg).

The 1.4HDi diesel used in the Nemo develops 50kW (70hp) at 4,000rpm. This engine has a maximum peak torque rating of 160Nm at 1,750rpm. The economical HDi engine offers Nemo operators the benefits of an exceptional combined fuel consumption 4.5l/100km (62.8mpg). Nemo vans powered by the 1.4HDi engine can also run on B30 (30%) blend biodiesel without modification.
To further optimise running costs both engines used in the Nemo are designed to have long service intervals with a standard servicing frequency of 20,000 miles or two years.

Nemo – range and prices
Nemo 1.4i 75 X £7,995 + VAT + delivery
Nemo 1.4HDi 70 X £8,795 + VAT + delivery
Nemo 1.4HDi 70 LX £9,515 + VAT + delivery
Nemo 1.4HDi 70 SensoDrive LX £9,915 + VAT + delivery