The Relay, at three tonnes gross vehicle weight and in short-wheelbase, low roof height guise. But it’s still a chunky performer offering a payload of 1,155kg and a load-space of eight cubic metres.
Entry is via remote control locking and with security in mind the front and rear of the van can be opened separately.

It’s a big climb up into the cab, which means the driver has a panoramic view of the road ahead.
Mention must also be made of the driver’s seat, which is a dream.
It’s firm but supportive and hugs the body from neck to knees. In fact, a great deal of thought has gone into the cab all round.

There are so much space to store things that I’m still not sure I’ve found them all.
There’s a pop-up clipboard on the centre console while the middle of the back of the third seat folds down to reveal a little desk with a clip and two cup-holders.

On the minus side, there isn’t a cup-holder near the driver’s right hand unlike the Vauxhall equivalent.
The Relay we drove features a four-cylinder 2.2-litre HDi diesel engine it has 100bhp on offer but it feels quicker owing to the fact that there is also a meaty 184lb-ft of torque on tap from a very low 1,500rpm.

Mention, of course, must also be made of the Relay’s standard Smart-nav system that is part of the package on all Dispatches and Relays.

Citroën came up with this USP a few months ago in a bid to distance its models from the ones offered by Peugeot and Fiat (the Relay is the same as the Boxer and Ducato).

It’s a ploy that seems to be working as Citroën had one of

its best sales months on record in September 2007.

But the Citroën product is something else altogether. For a start, it’s linked to the Traffic-master system so that when you key in a destination it will automatically take you round any hold-ups.

And keying in a destination couldn’t be simpler – you just tap on the little envelope (it’s a touch-screen system) and key in the postcode letters and figures you want. In the meantime, the system warns of approaching speed cameras and the like and it also incorporates a Trackstar tracking system if the vehicle is stolen.

All in All.. a pretty reasonable vehicle, up there certainly with the likes or sprinter and transit.  To judge for yourselves, take a trip down to your local citroen commercial dealership.

Review courtesy of Fleet News at www.fleetnews.co.uk