Citroen Nemo wins “Best New Van” award

The new Nemo van, the latest addition to the Citroen LCV range, has just gained (13 May 2008) the prestigious “Best New Van” award at the 2008 Van Fleet World Honours. In addition, Citroen also received a highly commended “Van Fleet World Security Honour”.

The Nemo impressed the Van Fleet World judges with its 610kg payload and load volume of 2.50 cu m, combining a useful payload with maximum volume in a compact van, a size down from established light vans. At the same time Nemo offers the loading flexibility of larger vans with a folding passenger seat to extend the load floor. A range of bulkhead options means the load space can be readily adapted to suit fleet requirements.

In addition, the Van Fleet World judges were impressed that other features, such as ABS brakes, driver’s airbag, radio/CD player and adjustable steering wheel, with split central locking, cruise control, air conditioning, reversing sensors, heated and electric door mirrors and a choice of airbags, are all standard or optionally available equipment for the Nemo.

Robert Handyside, Citroen’s commercial vehicle operations manager, comments, “We are delighted that Nemo has won this prestigious Van Fleet World Honour. This reinforces Citroen’s confidence that the Nemo’s concept as the smallest, biggest van will provide a unique solution to an increasing range of business transport applications. With road traffic congestion becoming steadily worse there is a growing need for vans which are small on the outside and large on the inside to work efficiently in congested environments. Nemo provides the answer to these demanding applications, in a stylish and cost-effective manner.”

The Nemo goes on sale on 16 May and will be available with a choice of fuel-efficient, low emission 1.4HDi diesel and 1.4i petrol engines and two trim levels. All Nemo models offer operators the benefits of compact external dimensions and large internal load volume. It will particularly appeal to urban/suburban-based businesses where its compact external dimensions are of great practical benefit but, 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.

Priced from £7,995 + VAT + delivery, the 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.

SensoDrive, Citroen’s clutchless, automated manual transmission will also be available. This advanced transmission provides the Nemo with all the benefits of a conventional automatic transmission, including two-pedal convenience, with the fuel economy and low CO2 emissions characteristics of a manual gearbox. Significantly, all 1.4HDi-powered Nemos have CO2 emissions below 120g/km.