With additional features over the previous model and an improved design, the new Citroën Relay panel vans are priced from £19,405 + VAT for the lead-in Relay 30 L1H1 HDi 110 6-speed manual. Also announced, the 14-version range of New Relay Enterprise vans now cost £800 + VAT (previously £900 + VAT) more than the standard Relay panel van.
Commenting on the announcement, Jeremy Smith, Citroën's head of commercial vehicles & business sector operations, said; ‘New Relay is a compelling choice for businesses. This competitively priced and exceptionally well-equipped range delivers the highest payloads in its sector, along with class-leading load carrying practicality and low cost of operation. With its wide choice of factory-built variants and Citroën's unique range of Ready to Run specialist bodied models, there is a New Relay to economically and efficiently suit virtually any business transport requirement.’
As a result of an intensive development programme, Citroën says New Relay's body structure incorporates multiple-point reinforcement to improve rigidity and durability. High use, high stress items such as the rear doors have been reinforced and higher strength door hinges are now used. Similarly, the sliding side load doors have benefited from reinforced rails, re-designed runners and improved door locks – to raise durability and security standards.
Shock absorber mountings have been re-designed and braking performance has been improved, with the option to upgrade New Relay’s standard ESC system with Intelligent Traction Control and Hill Descent Control (£500 + VAT).
Citroën claims its new advanced HDi diesel engines all have significantly improved efficiency, with up to 15% better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions figures, and service intervals have been extended to 30,000 miles or 2 years.
The Teletrac telematics platform is fitted as standard on all New Relay panel vans, which includes Smartnav intelligent satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking.
Other new features include a five-inch colour LCD screen for the audio system, optional reversing camera and up to 10 in-cab storage areas, including the glovebox, a dash-mounted document clip and various open or lidded compartments on the dashboard and a large 22-litre overhead storage compartment.
Accordging to Citroën, the New Relay range offers some of the highest available payloads in its class. New Relay panel vans offer a choice of payloads from 1140 – 1995kg. The two versions forecast to be the best-sellers are the New Relay 30 L1H1 HDi 110 6-speed manual and the New Relay 35 L3H2 HDi 130 6-speed manual, which have payloads of up to 243kg and nearly 400kg better respectively than some of their main competitors.