At the beginning of 2021, Citroën announced the discontinuation of thermal models for the Berlingo, leaving only the 100% electric version on European markets. This decision had serious consequences with a drastic drop in sales, but the brand is backtracking and announcing the return of the Berlingo in thermal versions in the UK.
This reversal of the situation is explained by the continuing demand from British consumers for combustion versions of the Berlingo, which has led Citroën to review its position and reintroduce combustion engines on this market. The Citroën Berlingo will now be offered with the 1.2 Puretech 110 hp engine (manual gearbox) and the 1.5 Blue HDI engine in its 100 hp versions with manual gearbox and 130 hp with EAT8 automatic gearbox, in addition to the 100% electric version.
The combustion engines will only be offered in the short Berlingo, while the 100% electric version will be available in both lengths of the Berlingo, and the 7-seater Berlingo will only be offered with an electric motor.
Like the electric version, the thermal Berlingo will be offered in two trim levels, Feel and Shine XTR (called Flair XTR in the UK). The Berlingo comes with the following standard equipment Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Safety Braking, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation and Speed Alert to alert the driver. Both versions are also equipped with the Citroën Connect Box emergency and assistance system, which puts the driver in contact with a qualified advisor in the event of an accident or breakdown.
The Berlingo Feel has manual air conditioning, electrically heated door mirrors, rear parking sensors and cruise control with programmable speed limiter, but retains 16-inch steel wheels. The Flair XTR version has 17-inch alloy wheels, gloss black roof bars, front and rear sill plates, orange fog lamp surrounds and a convenient opening tailgate window with dark tinted rear and side windows.
The thermal Citroën Berlingo will be back on sale from May 2023 at the following prices :
Berlingo Feel 1.2 110 BVM 6: £25,590 or €29,120
Berlingo Feel 1.5 HDi 100 BVM6: £25,465 or €28,980
Berlingo Feel 1.5 HDi 130 EAT8: £27,580 or €31,400
Berlingo Flair XTR 1.5 HDi 130 EAT8: £29,825 or €33,950
This return of the thermal Berlingo allows Citroën to significantly lower the price of the Berlingo, which is thus cheaper by 6,725 pounds (7,650 €), but above all to significantly strengthen the versatility of the Berlingo too affected by a low autonomy in electric motors. This return of the thermal versions in the United Kingdom does not necessarily herald a return of the same versions in France, but the brand would be well advised to do the same as the Berlingo is an important model for Citroën.