WELL, it's in the specification so it must be true. But if the Citroen Nemo is really only 3.96 metres long, where does all that space come from?
There's oodles of it, with a through cabin length of nearly 1.7 metres and load capacity stretching up to 2,500 litres if you lift out the rear seats. Tardis or what?
The magic trick is a simple one, a familiar idea taken to new lengths. Length may be compacted but height and width push outwards, nearly mirroring each other at 1.72m (1.78 with the optional roof rails) and 1.82m respectively.
The result is a curious but highly-effective shape, repeating the assets of the larger Berlingo where Citroen also took an LCV and turned it into a popular, highly-economic MPV. Sliding rear doors and a massive hatch further the van connection, providing easy access for people and products.
It has fun-design ambitions, although you can't say it's pretty, and there are some plusses. The tall sides deliver lots of glass so that visibility from the raised driving position is excellent in every direction (the bowed front pillars don't get in the way for once), while the compression of the bulbous nose and the vertical rear end make parking a doddle. Be aware, however, that that huge hatch requires room aplenty to open).
Given the car's length, the wheelbase is quite long, aiding the roominess of the interior and at the same time not interfering with the nimbleness of the Nemo, which can turn in less than 10 metres.
In fact, the MPV is quite driver friendly. The seating offers height and lumbar adjustment, there's reach and height variation of the steering wheel and a stubby gear shift which, although featuring some lengthy changes, is handily placed at the base on the centre console. Convenience items include see-me-home headlights and a trip computer.
This particular version featured the 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine and it was quickly evident the Nemo was short of firepower - lengthy climbs found it out every time - while, at the same time, petrol returns were modest. The 1.4 diesel alternative is much more rewarding in fuel economy, achieving 63mpg on average (and there is also a diesel automatic), although it is even slower on pick-up.
In drive terms, I was pleasantly surprised that there was not a lot of lean from a very tall vehicle. Less satisfactory was the quality of the ride, quite unsettled as standard and disturbing on concrete-squared surfaces.
There's quite a bit of roller coaster, too, about the all-shapes-and-angles dash, but the presentation of switches, dials and screens is actually helpful and sensible. There's an array of storage areas (12 in the front alone) with an excellent deep bin within the glove box.
The Nemo, which starts at less than £10,000, features, as standard, front and side airbags, front electric windows, heated door mirrors, driver's armrest, speed-sensitive power steering, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, central locking, split/folding rear seats and a four-speaker sound system with RDS radio/MP3 compatible CD player. Options available include air conditioning, a Bluetooth system and rear parking sensors.
Citroen has built up a devoted market base with its supremely-spacious, well-priced family cars (including the various Picassos and the Berlingo) and the Nemo Multispace is right in that mode. The power and ride qualities may be an acquired taste but there's no denying that this is a small MPV of great practicality.
FAST FACTS
Citroen Nemo Multispace 1.4i
Price: £9,995
Mechanical: 75bhp, 1,360cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 96mph
0-62mph: 16.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 42.2
Insurance group: 2
CO2 emissions: 155g/km
BIK rating: 16%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles