Citroen | On the road

Citroen Space Tourer

By Bill McCarthy

AN eight seat people carrier will naturally appeal to a limited audience. People carrier is the clue really, a large family with upwards of three children and family pets, a taxi perhaps specialising in airport runs, or a shuttle bus, used by hotels or conferences or someone with a disability needing wheelchair space.

Whichever it is, it needs to be spacious, comfortable and practical and cheap(ish) to run.

The Space Tourer has offered that combination and has now added even more with the newest engine/gearbox combination of two-litre diesel engine with eight-speed automatic gearbox.

This powertrain on the model driven here combines the 177bhp stop/start diesel engine with the seamlessly smooth eight-speed gearbox.

Priced at £1,700 above the 1.5-litre manual manual in equivalent trim, this new combination offers real value and flexibility and comfort, especially for this who spend a fair amount of time behind the wheel.

It also offers an improvement in braked trailer weight, capable of towing up to 2.3 tonnes.

The smooth revving engine packs quite a punch, even with six aboard, while the ride, which can crash around a bit when empty, evens out with more weight in the vehicle. The vehicle can reach 60mph in just under nine seconds, while delivery economy at around the 40mpg mark.

It handles surprisingly well, the wheel in each corner set up means it feels well planted when cornering and feels very car-like despite its van-like capacity. It is also very well built with soft touch finish and robust switchgear, while all eight seats are comfortable and this case leather trimmed.

This particular version offers most of those creature comforts which benefit both driver and passengers including privacy glass and powered sliding doors.

All versions are well equipped with even the entry-level model getting cruise control, electric windows, air conditioning and rear parking sensors, while this version adds Park Assist and Citroen’s 180-degree camera system, driver and front passenger ‘captain’s chairs’ with electric adjustment, heating and massage function, plus panoramic glass sunroof, head-up display and blind spot monitoring.

The dash is dominated by multi-function screen which controls smart phone connectivity, navigation and infotainment.

You would perhaps not expect a vehicle of this nature to win any beauty competitions and while it may not be a showstopper, it does have a certain Gallic charm, typical of the Citroen brand with its raked windscreen, slim grille incorporating the signature Citroen chevrons, black air intakes and wraparound headlights with smart ‘Curve’ alloy wheels.

Access to the rear seats is easy peasy via remote-opening sliding electric doors, but clambering in to the front, proved less than dignified affair at times for my shorter other half.

However, the whole interior has a spacious feel thanks to large glass areas, while the large rear tailgate gives easy access to larger items, wheelchairs or prams perhaps.

It is a large boot area with the rearmost three folded, otherwise stowage space is limited with all three row in situ. But both the rear and middle row slide forward, tumble and fold opening up a cavern of space.

There are plenty of other storage areas in the doors, cupholders and a refrigerated glovebox.

Family-friendly features also include rail mounted rear seats, child observation mirror and six sets of Isofix mounting points with top tethers. In terms of size, both trims Feel and Flair trim driven here are available in Medium and XL, with this model offering an additional 35cm of overall length. As usual it is packed with safety kit.

At approaching £45,000, it is a big investment, but if it is what you need, it has plenty to offer.

Factfile

Citroen Space Tourer Flair BlueHDi 2.0

Price: £44,510

Mechanical: 177bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 8-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 115mph

0-62mph: 8.5 seconds

Combined mpg: 40.6

Insurance group: 22

CO2 emissions: 149g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

DS7 Crossback

By Bill McCarthy

THERE is no doubt that the DS 7 is a stunning looking car, packed with equipment and offering luxury motoring at a less than luxury price, compared to rivals.

Although the range topper will set you back north of £43,000, for that you get pretty much the lot as well as sumptuous luxury.

But it still offers plenty with the so-called entry model at around £27,000.

That is not to say quality suffers as a result. The DS looks and feels a true executive motor.

There are four trim levels, from Elegance, to Performance Line here, Prestige and Ultra Prestige, with a choice of petrol and diesel power plants of various output.

All brands are vying with each other to offer that latest cutting edge technology and Citroen/DS is no different.

A 12-inch touchscreen with voice recognition controls some of the high tech wizardry which includes connectivity for both Apple and Android, while a digital control screen in the binnacle gives a host of information at the touch of a button.

The DS looks and feels like an executive motor

Other innovations include the high-end safety kit with parking radar and camera and a clever option is the infra-red night vision camera which picks up animals or pedestrians. A full range of airbags are included as are traction and stability control.

It certainly looks good, with sculpted angular styling and this model features gloss black grille and stylish 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels and integrated roof rails. The light clusters include LED headlights and running lights, while at the rear are what the firm describes as three dimensional effect LED tail lights and double exhaust.

The interior offers leather seating with suede trim and soft touch Art Black Basalt Nappa finish to dash and door panels.

There is a bank of controls beneath the touch screen and the instrumentation and finish features a classy diamond pattern throughout the interior.

Comfort and convenience is as you would expect without auto lights and wipers, defrosting door mirrors, remote tailgate, two position boot floor, and neat puddle lights. In addition there are the usual electrical creature comforts, cruise control and multi-function steering wheel.

The central console houses a neat auto gear change while a double opening central bin provides extra stowage space where music players can connected and hidden away from prying eyes. All the seats are comfortable and supportive while head and legroom is impressive.

Boot space at 555 litres is excellent, while the rear seats flip and fold at the touch of a toggle to open up a massive stowage space when required.

On the road the 225bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine never fails to impress with its excellent combination of power, economy and low CO2 emissions. It can hit 60mph in under 10 seconds.

Torque is good and it picks up impressively on the motorway. The eight-speed automatic gearbox slips seamlessly through the range.