Citroën has launched its most powerful LCV models yet – the new Euro 5 Relay 35 HDi 180 six-speed manual panel van and chassis cabs – which go on sale this month.
Following the introduction of the Euro 5 Nemo range earlier this year, the engine in the new Relay represents the next stage in Citroën's programme for even lower emissions and more fuel efficient Euro 5 HDi power plants.
Scott Michael, Citroën's commercial vehicles operations manager, explains that the van replaces the previous Euro 4 Relay 35 HDi 160 six-speed manual models.
The new 3-litre HDi Euro 5 180 engine delivers a 12.5% power increase, up from 160bhp to 180bhp. Peak torque is unchanged at 400Nm, but the new HDi 180 develops this at just 1,400rpm, 300rpm lower than the superseded HDi 160 engine.
Greater fuel efficiency has also been achieved with the more powerful Euro 5 HDi 180 engine.
On the combined cycle, the L3H2 model returns 33.2mpg – a 9.2% improvement over the Euro 4 Relay HDi 160 powered panel van's 30.4mpg. That version's emissions are recorded as just 224g/km, down 9% from the previous Euro 4 engine's 246g/km.
"We are confident that when the complete Euro 5 Relay range is available, later this year, it will offer very high standards of fuel efficiency and low emissions, which will make it amongst the cleanest and greenest in its class," states Michael.
