Citroën C15 D

FR :

Le Citroën C15 est dérivé de la Citroën Visa dont il reprend toute la face avant, jusqu'aux portes. Si son train arrière est proche de celui de la Citroën BX, avec une implantation des amortisseurs en position quasi horizontale libérant le plancher de charge, il s'agit surtout du train arrière de la Peugeot 305 break. Son volume utile est de 2,673 m3.

Le C15 est tout d'abord disponible en essence avec le « moteur X » de 1 124 cm3 (type XW7) avec 570 kg de charge utile. Il s'agit du C15 E, dont une seule finition est disponible. En octobre 1984, pour contrer la sortie à venir de son concurrent le plus sérieux, le Renault Express, il devient disponible en diesel avec le « moteur XUD » de 1 769 cm3 (type XUD7) issu de la 205 dont il reprend également le train avant. Celui-ci étant plus large que celui de la version essence, le C15 diesel se voit doté d'élargisseurs d'ailes en plastique, comme la berline Visa diesel dont il dérive, et de jantes en tôle pleines à quatre tocs. Il adopte le nom de C15 D.

En décembre 1985, Citroën commercialise la version plancher cabine, surtout utilisée pour les carrosseries à caisson frigorifique. En octobre 1986 apparaît le « moteur X » de 954 cm3 (type XV8) avec charge utile de 475 kg. À cette même date, une boite de vitesses à cinq rapports est proposée en option sur le moteur essence de 1 124 cm3 et sur le diesel. La gamme s'étoffe dès novembre 1986 avec l'apparition du moteur essence 1 360 cm3 (type XY7) qui permet une charge utile de 760 kg, impossible jusqu'alors en essence.

Source : Wikipedia France

EN :

The Citroën C15 is a panel van produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from late 1984 until 2005. It was the successor to the Citroën Acadiane, which had replaced the Citroën 2CV vans that pioneered the box van format from the 1950s to the 1970s, although the Acadiane continued in production alongside the C15 initially. The name refers to the car's 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) French gross vehicle weight rating and indicates its position beneath the C25 and C35 in Citroën's commercial vehicle range at the time.

The C15 was based on the Citroën Visa (discontinued 1988), and mainly used a 1769 cc XUD or 1868 cc (DW8 on late models), naturally aspirated (non turbo) diesel engine. Until the early 1990s, it was also available with a petrol PSA TU engine. At the time of introduction, the engines were the 60 PS (44 kW) XUD (C15D) or the 47 PS (35 kW) 1124 cc petrol TU1 (C15E). The diesel engines also powered vehicles several classes larger. Both Bosch and Lucas/CAV/Roto diesel injection systems were used. The TU petrol-engined versions were sold until the beginning of the 1990s. The engines and drivetrains were taken from the Citroën Visa lineup.

While the car was mostly the same as a regular Citroën Visa ahead of the B-pillar, the cargo area was unique. The C15 had a lengthened wheelbase, and a sturdier rear axle shared with the Peugeot 305 Break and Citroën BX since it had to carry heavier loads than the Visa. The very curved sides of the windscreen, enabled the use of a very large single wiper on the long narrow windscreen, without it catching the windscreen seal. The shape of the bumper and plastic trim on the front of the van, like those of the Visa car, were designed to aerodynamically reduce the deposition of dirt on the headlights, and to reduce the risk of stone chips to the headlights, bonnet and windscreen.

Early models had a single wide rear door, but this was awkward for loading in a tight space and prone to sagging or to snapping off in a high wind, so, after a year or two, only conventional two door versions were sold with fold back hinges.

Source : Wikipedia