SO when did chic ever enter into the vocabulary of light commercials?
The answer is simple: when Citroen made a van version of their neat little C2.
And even after a lengthy drive of this very smart little number, I still could not get used to the fact that I was driving a load lugger.
It received at tremendous reception at the Commercial Motor Show and has scooped the Professional Van and Light Truck award.
It features blacked out rear windows and looks very much the street machine. But the rear is properly decked and there is a mesh barrier to protect the driver from the load.
With this van, Citroen has taken an innovative approach in the sub high-cube sector to ensure that it is not just another 'me too' model but one that offers some major advantages.
For a start it gives near 70 mpg fuel economy which is hailed as best in class. Couple this to lowest possible insurance - Group 1E - and competitive pricing and this vehicle suddenly becomes common sense rather than a trendy fashion accessory.
And to add some extra icing to the cake, the C2 Enterprise features best in class warranty cover and some very respectable safety features.
So how do you make a van out of a modern small hatchback? Bearing in mind that practicality makes perfect in this sector, Citroen came up with the idea of a clever two-piece rear door for ease of loading.
This makes a lot of sense because the high lip of a hatch does not make for happy drivers in the commercial world.
Competitively priced at just £7,495 plus VAT and delivery this is very much a state-of-the-art small van.
It is powered by the advanced 70hp 1.4HDi common rail diesel which makes for nippy performance. Indeed, its power to weight ratio when unladen is so coducive to performance that it is very neary in the hot van category.
So who buys a van like this? Citroen sees it being attractive to servicing engineers, skilled trades people, security personnel and other trades. It is also ideal for courier services.
Costing nearly £1,300 less than its nearest key competitor, the C2 Enterprise can return around 50 mpg even round town and on the open road easily nudges 70 mpg.
Safety features include ABS braking and Emergency Braking Assistance. From the back of the seats forward it is just the same as the car variant. There is no compromise to comfort or equipment.
The rear tailgate arrangement is exceptional. The top hinged glass section opens upwards at the touch of a button. The drop lower section even incudes a compartment for stowage straps etc.
There are not many commercials that have it right in all areas, but in the sub-cube class, the C2 Enterprise has got the lot.
FAST FACTS
Citroen C2 Enterprise 1.4HDi
Price: £7,495 plus VAT
Mechanical: 70bhp 4-cyl 1.4 litre common rail diesel
Warranty: two years unlimited mileage or three years/100,000.