STACKING high levels of equipment in a workaday van would have been laughed at some years ago, but times have changed.
These days the thought of vans as being rarely loved, utilitarian boxes on wheels is fast diminishing with the advent of the Enterprise treatment from Citroen.
Citroen has leapt to the forefront of light commercial activity with a range of models which are comfortable and well equipped on their own.
But add the Enterprise package which includes such items as Bluetooth connection, air conditioning and reverse parking sensors and the result is something that is just as pleasant and easy to live with as a car.
The model I was driving was the muscle van of the range, the Relay. You have to climb up a step to get into this one and the driving position is high and commanding.
Even without the Enterprise goodies, the Relay is well equipped, coming with Trafficmaster satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking equipment as standard
The 30 L1H1 2.2 Hdi 100 model I drove was one of two new new Relay Enterprise versions - the other being the 35 L3H2 120 – and has a lot to offer.
Firstly service intervals have been stretched to up to 25,000 miles and it has the widest panel van load bay in its market sector, plus having the lowest rear loading height.
It is also one of the first panel vans to be offered with optional self levelling/lowering rear suspension.
It operates in the 3.0 – 4.05 tonne gvw market slot which is very competitive.
But this van has a real ace up its sleeve and that is driver comfort. Enterprise options are often the choice of small or single person businesses who want a van but also need the creature comforts found in a car and with Relay Enterprise this is what they get.
Looking at the tall, businesslike stance of the Relay it is possible to imagine that nothing could be so far removed from the family hatchback. But you would be wrong because this van is more pleasant that many cars I have driven.
It has a handy turning circle, the controls are light, the seats very comfortable and the forward view amazing.
And another plus is fuel economy because this hefty load-lugger returns 35.8mpg on the Combined cycle. This is thanks to common-rail diesel technology with the latest Citroen four-cylinder unit purring away in the engine room.
If I have a crib with Relay it is the handbrake. Although it works perfectly well, its placing on the right very low down by the driver's seat makes it awkward to release quickly. You have to bend down to release it to its full travel otherwise an annoying brake warning sounds. This could be improved.
The Relay Enterprise is a prize example of how far Citroen has travelled in the world of light commercials.
The ball really started rolling in 1985 with two van versions of its Visa model – one red and one white, amusingly named Van Blanc and Van Rouge and it has been non-stop ever since.
Costing £18,440 plus VAT and delivery, my Enterprise test model represented a saving of £310 compared with an equivalent Relay optionally specified to the same level.
FAST FACTS
Citroen Relay 30 Enterprise L1H1 100 van
Price: £18,440
Mechanical: 100bhp, 2,198cc, 4-cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Combined mpg: 35.8
CO2 emissions: 208g/km
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles