Story of the Berlingo - Concept to Production

[Andre]

Unknown to me, the multispace started life out as a concept vehicle.

So, Citroën unveiled three concept car versions of the new Berlingo at the 1996 Paris Salon.

Citroën Berlingo Coupé de Plage

You may see some ZX Rallye Raide in this? You wouldnt be wrong. In concept. it was not too dissimilar to the Méhari - while also drawing on the success of "leisure pick-ups" in North America. This car was powered by the 1.8L engine from the Xantia, developing 103 bhp and offering a top speed in the region of 100mph.

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Citroën Berlingo Bulle

The Bulle or `Bubble' is a bold new vision of a family car which broke the traditional mould. Designed to be both practical and fun, it presented a friendly, harmonious shape on the outside with lots of round and oval shapes; while on the inside it was exceptionally roomy and welcoming.

Remind anyone else of the new Fiat 500?

Pics! (Click to View)

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Citroën Berlingo Grand Large

I think it will be easy to recognise as the Berlingo Mutlispace we got way back in 1998.

Pics! (Click to View)

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Hope you found that as interesting as i found it :thumbsup:

[neil2860]

The Bulle looks like a cross between a berlingo front end and a Picasso rear.

[pk7478]

....And then Citroen Berlingo Bulle became Citroen N68, i.e. Xsara Picasso.

[Opensauce]

I think the first Multispaces sold in UK were only available with the full length Webasto type sunroof which might not have been to everybodies' taste, one reason being lack of security, you could cut them with a knife.

[davehills]

Whereas the Berlingo without the sunroof is much more secure because it can be opened with a screwdriver..?