WHEN is a van not a van? Not such a strange question when you look at the Enterprise, a slick version of the smart Citroen Xsara range that has earned an unusual reputation as the 'stealth van.'
From the outside this surprising vehicle looks identical to a Xsara Estate. The doors are similar and the only giveaway are optional internal shields to prevent damage to the rear and side window.
Side windows are darkly shaded, offering no clue to the capacious load deck inside.
Enterprise offers a rare cross-over point in vehicle type. A car style body with glass windows and a capacity for some surprising loads.
It is the darling of the firms and businesses who do not want to go the whole way down the van route, yet want a stylish car-like body without having the pay the additional tax burden.
Classed as a commercial vehicle, the Enterprise has ventured where few have gone before. This is the model that has filled a difficult gap in the UK light commercial market.
Research has shown that there is a customer demand for a vehicle such as this from the growing high-tech service sector in which operators anre understandably reluctant to pay higher Benefit-in-Kind taxation on their company cars.
So what sort of driver or company opts for an Enterprise? Usually those which operate in the IT sector or florists and the like.
On the road the Enterprise drives just as well as the Xsara and is supremely comfortable. It is not skimped as far as specification is concerned and I was delighted to note that the test vehicle was fitted with a tape player rather than the now almost universal CD.
It added to the pleasure of the vehicle to play items from my music collection while on the move.
Under the bonnet is an advanced 90hp 2.0HDi common rail diesel which gives car-like performance and the potential for up to 50mpg.
I know of no other light commercial that can totally match the spec of the Enterprise which features ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist, adaptive driver's and passenger's airbags, lateral airbags, energy absorbing side impact protection, fuel cut-off device, transponder immobiliser, variable power steering, rev counter and a whole lot more.
All in all one of the most versatile vehicles on the road.
FAST FACTS
Citroen Xsara Enterprise
Price: £10,995
Mechanical: 90bhp, 4cyl common rail high pressure direct injection diesel
Combined mpg: 50
GVW: 1,740kg
Payload: 511kg
Warranty: 3yrs/ 100,000 miles; 6yrs anti-corrosion