The Citroen Relay large van is being refreshed with new engines and new technology for 2019.
One of the oldest vans on the market – in parallel with its Peugeot Boxer cousin, which is also being updated in 2019 – from July production, the Relay will be powered by new 2.2-litre BlueHDi turbodiesel engines and come in pair of additional trim levels as well.
So the Citroen Relay is going back to 2.2-litre engines?
It is. Having introduced ‘downsized’ 2.0-litre engines to meet the original Euro 6 regulations in 2016, Citroen is up-sizing back to 2.2-litre engines in order to meet the latest Euro 6D Temp (also known as Euro 6.2) emissions regulations that come into force in September 2019.
The change in the regs places a greater emphasis on real-world fuel economy, and it’s generally easier to meet on-paper claims with a less-stressed larger engine than a tightly-wound smaller one – you’ll have noticed other van makers are doing the same thing (such as the Renault Trafic moving from 1.6 to 2.0-litre engines and the Fiat Ducato dropping its entry-level 2.0-litre choice).
The new Citroen Relay engine range comprises the following three options:
- BlueHDI 120: 120hp / 300Nm
- BlueHDi 140: 140hp / 340Nm
- BlueHDi 165: 165hp / 370Nm
Compared with the previous 2.0-litre engines, the 120 and 140 both gain 10hp, while the 165 gets an extra 5hp and an extra 20Nm of torque.
Official fuel economy figures are still to be announced, but we’re expecting the Relay to remain highly competitive in this area.
Can you get an automatic gearbox in the Relay now?
Nope – the Relay remains available with a six-speed manual gearbox only, although all models do benefit from stop-start technology (labelled S&S by Citroen).
We believe this will increasingly put the Relay at a disadvantage compared with rivals that do offer an auto – including the 2019 Fiat Ducato, which despite being based on the same platform as the Citroen uses its own engines and transmissions, including a new nine-speed auto – as this becomes an ever more popular option.
What are the new trim levels for the 2019 Relay?
Previously available in standard and Enterprise specification, the Relay now comes in X, Enterprise, Worker and Driver – a change that brings it into line with the smaller Berlingo and Dispatch Citroen vans.
Relay X replaces the standard spec, and lists such excitements as a 12v socket and full steel bulkhead as its fitted equipment highlights.
Relay Enterprise should continue to prove popular, adding rear parking sensors, a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and multi-adjustable driver’s seat.
Relay Worker targets operators who regularly find themselves on tricky, slippery work sites, and features a Grip Control traction control system with hill descent control, ‘multi-season’ tyres, underbody protection and mudflaps as standard.
You also get Bluetooth, a USB socket, cruise control with speed limiter and a dashboard-mounted clipboard.
Relay Driver is aimed at long-distance transport or multi-drop delivery services, and features a USB charging socket, reversing camera, sat-nav, and the Drive Assist Pack (see below). Sadly no mention of increased sound deadening, as you get with other Citroen van Driver variants.
Does the 2019 Citroen Relay get any extra safety kit?
There are two new options: blind spot monitoring that takes trailers into account, and rear traffic alert, which spots approaching vehicles up to 50m away when you shift the van into reverse, in order to help you avoid backing out into them.
All Relays are now fitted with the Free2Move Connect Fleet Services telematics box, which includes remote fuel consumption and maintenance monitoring, and tracking for fleet and theft-recovery purposes.
Sadly, autonomous emergency braking remains option for most of the range, but does come included in the Drive Assist Pack fitted as standard to the new Relay Driver model.
The Drive Assist Pack also includes lane-departure warning, automatic lights and wipers, automatic main beam adjustment and traffic sign recognition.
What body variants are available?
No changes here, so there are still the eight different body styles and choice of four lengths, three wheelbases and three roof heights.
Load volume for the panel vans ranges from 8.0 cubic metres to 17.0 cubic metres, and while there’s no official word on payload changes yet, we fully expect these to remain close to the top of the large van class.
For full details of all Citroen Relay dimensions see our dedicated page.
Is there an electric version of the Citroen Relay?
Citroen launched one at the 2019 CV Show in April, and you can read full details about it in our dedicated news story by clicking here.
How much is the 2019 Citroen Relay and when does it go on sale?
Prices start £23,980 (excluding VAT) for the Relay X, and you can order one of these new versions now – although production doesn’t start until July 2019.
