IT'S GOT to be the stealthiest van on the road.
Citroen, that innovative manufacturer of modern LCVs, has identified a niche for providing a van for people who don't want others to know that it's a van.
A week or so ago a test car arrived at my office. It was a Citroen Xsara estate in shining white with blacked out rear windows
On first glance it looked just like a normal estate, but the giveaway was a tough metal grille in the back window.
Open the rear doors - also protected by grilles (invisible through the blacked out windows) and a flat loading floor is revealed in the place where the rear seats should be.
This is the Xsara Enterprise, a new breed of van that appeals to people who want loadspace and style.
Citroen calls it the van with charisma, but I call it a brilliant piece of commercial niche marketing.
It will appeal to people like dog breeders, vets, plumbers and others who want a vehicle they can use as a car at times when they are not lugging gear or animals around.
Xsara Enterprise is powered by the fuel efficient 2.0 HDi engine which produces 90hp. Adequate power for delivering the goods here.
If a little sluggish in the lower gear ratios, this engine certainly makes up for it when at motorway speeds when its true potential kicks in.
It really is for those who do not want the chunky looks of a van. All the features you would expect from a car are included as standard. They include ABS, no fewer that four airbags, electric front windows and remote central locking.
There are also steering mounted radio controls and very comfortable seats. I forgot I was driving a van at times and started searching for the air conditioning and cruise control - influences that say a lot for this fascinating vehicle which costs £10,995.
FAST FACTS
Citroen Xsara Enterprise 2.0HDi
Price: £10,995
Engine: 90bhp, 1,997cc HDi 4 cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Payload: 511kg
Load Capacity: 1.5 cubic metres