Citroen Berling 1.6 16V Modutop
The gentlemen at Citroen do not exhaust their imaginations and ideas on how to make an already very useful car even more functional. They carried their knowledge across the roof and equipped it with aircraft-style storage areas. In addition, Berlingo received a new 1-liter petrol engine, replacing the previous 6-liter.
Download PDF test: Citroën Citroen Berling 1.6 16V Modutop
Due to competition and increasingly stringent environmental requirements, Citroën has had to update its engine range with XNUMX-valve technology. The premiere of the engine has already taken place in Xsara, and now it is also dedicated to Berlingo. Although its volume is two deciliters less than its predecessor, it boasts more power and lower fuel consumption.
So far, so good and right, and it's all thanks to the four valves above each cylinder and two camshafts that drive everything together. The case fell flat on a torque curve that only peaks at 4000 rpm. If it was a sporty Xsaro Coupé, things wouldn't be so bad. The engine just needs to be run at a higher RPM to show what it's capable of. Driving at lower speeds is in any case a sin for athletes. However, things are a little different with the Berlingo, as the car is designed for a different style.
A style that does not know haste and evidence, which places great importance on elegance and elegance. And the new engine isn't the best partner. To achieve what it suggests on paper, it needs to be used at higher speeds. The tachometer needle must read at least 4000 for the engine to be satisfactory.
The Berlingo is a real jumper from here, as the engine loves to spin and propels the not-quite-aerodynamically perfect car to a top speed of almost 170 km/h. owner and the environment.
The new Berlingo also has a pleasant environment, reminiscent of Modutop. As the name suggests, it's all about overhead. The roof is made in the style of aircraft cabins with storage boxes. Above the driver and front passenger is the classic cross shelf that Berlingo has known for a long time. It continues to the middle longitudinal shelf that hides the closed CD compartment.
Above the rear seats, an open shelf extends across the full width of the roof and converts into two closed drawers with a capacity of 11 liters each. The boxes are designed for passengers in the rear seats. Each has a 5V socket, and between them there are adjustable vents and a button for adjusting the airflow. The hair at the vents is the same as the Alpha, but that doesn't bother me. If a thing is beautiful and at the same time functional, it is not a sin to imitate it.
Another box is located above the suitcase. Of course, it is the largest and best, since it can also be removed and a large ficus can be taken to the mother-in-law. She will be truly happy, especially when she can watch the sky through five skylights and talk to her son-in-law about the weather. The son-in-law will try to impress by replacing the music CD and adjusting the musical set to her taste.
In doing so, we come to the only dissatisfaction with this roof. Namely, when you open a box with discs, they just casually fly out of it. In the worst case, even the mother-in-law on the head, if it happens in the bend. This is frustrating, however, and Citroën could improve on this box a bit, as can the roof rails, which are usually longitudinally, but can also be installed sideways and used to carry skis or bicycles.
With the Modutop roof, the car is 30 kg heavier, and your wallet is 249.024 100 tolar lighter, which is a surcharge for this idea. You will get about XNUMX gallons of pre-drained space, but you will lose the feeling of airiness overhead. Whether it pays off, judge for yourself.
Text and photo: Uros Potochnik.
Citroen Berling 1.6 16V Modutop
Basic data
| Sales: | Citroën Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Test model cost: | 14.529,29 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 80kW (109 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 12,7 with |
| Maximum speed: | 172 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 7,4l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - transverse front mounted - bore and stroke 78,5 × 82,0 mm - displacement 1587 cm3 - compression 9,6:1 - maximum power 80 kW (109 hp .) at 5750 rpm - maximum torque 147 Nm at 4000 rpm - crankshaft in 5 bearings - 2 camshafts in the head (timing belt) - 4 valves per cylinder - electronic multipoint injection and electronic ignition - liquid cooling 8,0 .5,0 l - engine oil XNUMX l - variable catalyst |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engine drives the front wheels - 5-speed synchronized transmission - gear ratio I. 3,450; II. 1,870 hours; III. 1,280 hours; IV. 0,950; V. 0,740; reverse 3,333 - differential 3,940 - tires 175/70 R 14 (Michelin Energy) |
| Capacity: | top speed 172 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 12,7 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 9,5 / 6,2 / 7,4 l / 100 km (unleaded gasoline, elementary school 95) |
| Transportation and suspension: | 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear rigid axle, longitudinal rails, torsion bars, telescopic shock absorbers - two-wheel brakes, front disc, drum drum, power steering, ABS - steering rack and pinion wheel, servo |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1252 kg - permissible total weight 1780 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 1100 kg, without brake 500 kg - permissible roof load 100 kg |
| External dimensions: | length 4108 mm - width 1719 mm - height 1802 mm - wheelbase 2690 mm - track front 1426 mm - rear 1440 mm - driving radius 11,8 m |
| Inner dimensions: | length 1650 mm - width 1430/1550 mm - height 1100/1130 mm - longitudinal 920-1090 / 880-650 mm - fuel tank 55 l |
| Box: | (normal) 664-2800 l |
Our measurements
| T = 19 ° C, p = 1010 mbar, rel. vl. = 80% | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 12,0s |
|---|---|
| 1000m from the city: | 33,9 years ( 152 km / h) |
| Maximum speed: | 169km / h (V.) |
| Minimum consumption: | 9,6l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 10,3 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 59,3m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 60dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 59dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 58dB |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
evaluation
Berlingo Modutop represents the best level of equipment at the moment. Above all, it boasts extra airplane-style roof boxes, but don't ignore the skylights and adjustable brackets. At the same time, he said goodbye to the 1,8-liter gasoline engine, which was replaced by the 1,6-liter 16V. It doesn’t match the best performance of the Berling in character, but many will be impressed by its agility and moderate fuel consumption.
We praise and reproach
roof as a whole
rear drawer flexibility
flexibility of roof beams
fuel consumption
CD box
engine flexibility
pipe switch in the steering wheel lever
