Citroen has given its battery-powered e-Berlingo a round of updates and upgrades for the 2024 model year, and the big news is that it's getting more range.
That's thanks to the addition of the latest 54kWh (51kWh useable) battery which has already been seen in the likes of the Opel Astra-e, Peugeot e-308, and Citroen's own e-C4 and e-C4X. Paired with the existing 100kW 136hp electric motor driving the front wheels, it gives the e-Berlingo a range of up to 319km - a 20 per cent improvement on the outgoing model. Citroen claims, "This range is perfectly suited to the average daily mileage covered by typical owners."
30min fast charging
The motor comes with three settings - Eco, Normal, and Power - and in Eco mode, the actual power output of the motor is restricted in order to stretch the range as much as possible. The battery, as standard, comes with a 7.4kW onboard AC charging system, but that can optionally be upgraded to 11kW. The e-Berlingo can cope with up to 100kW for fast DC charging, allowing a 0-80 per cent charge in around 30mins.
On the outside, the e-Berlingo is getting a styling refresh, which brings in some of the cues of the new e-C3 compact electric crossover. There's the new Citroen badge - in which the double chevrons are now enclosed in an oval shape - in the centre of a new grille, which according to Citroen forms 'a single block' with the front bumper. The headlights are also new and get a more complex LED daytime running light signature.
A new Max model gets an aluminium-look 'skidplate' in the bottom of the bumper along with red stripes down the side for an off-road-y look. Max models also get standard roof bars and 17-inch 'Topaz' alloy wheels. The e-Berlingo is now available in five body colours, including the new Kiama Blue and Sirkka Green, which expand the existing Icy White, Perla Nera Black and Cumulus Grey.
New dashboard
Inside, the dashboard has been given a going-over, with a new slightly squared-off steering wheel (heated for Max versions), a new ten-inch touchscreen, new digital instruments, and - on the passenger side - a massive upper storage box, which has been made possible by moving the front passenger airbag to the roof. The lower part of the centre console houses the gearshift and driving mode selectors, the electric parking brake, the start button and two USB ports. It also houses a wireless smartphone charging pad. Citroen says that the overall quality of the cabin has also been improved.
Max models of the new e-Berlingo will get Citroen's Advanced Comfort front seats, which offer squishy, sofa-like comfort for longer journeys and three individual sliding and folding seats in row two. As before, the e-Berlingo comes in two lengths - a standard 4.4-metre model and an XL 4.75-metre version, allowing for two extra seats in the boot. Those seats can be removed and with the front passenger seat folded down, the floor is completely flat and the load length extends to 2.70 metres for the M version and 3.05 metres for the XL version.
Enormous storage
The boot is also massive - always one of the e-Berlingo's strong points. The boot volume varies from 775 litres (under the parcel shelf in the standard e-Berlingo) to 4,000 litres (with all the seats folded flat in the XL model). There are twin sliding side doors, which make loading people and stuff that much easier, and a separate opening window in the tailgate, which is handy for lobbing in small items or accessing the boot if someone's parked too close behind you. There's also the Modutop option for the interior, which adds a panoramic glass roof and overhead storage bins. In total, if you add up all of the e-Berlingo's storage space, it comes to 186 litres.
On the tech front, the new ten-inch touchscreen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections, and there's an optional built-in 3D sat-nav system. There's also a handy Top Rear Vision that activates the reversing camera, backed up by 12 parking sensors around the bodywork. As far as driver assistance systems go, there are as many as 18 available, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, electric parking brake, rearview camera with Top Rear Vision, Grip Control traction control with Hill Assist Descent, and towbar stability control.