How the Citroen Dispatch has evolved through the years

The Citroen Dispatch has come a long way since its introduction into the new van market in 1996, Vansdirect takes a look back at its evolution through the years!

Citroen Dispatch Van Timeline

The Citroen Dispatch is an award winning medium van built alongside the Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace vans, with the next generation Vauxhall Vivaro van also set to be based on the same platform. The platform is one for success, with fantastic levels of economy, efficiency and a variety of different models for different requirements. Vansdirect takes a look at the evolution of the Citroen Dispatch van through the years!

Citroen Dispatch Mark 1 released - 1996

When it was first launched in 1996, the Citroen Dispatch van offered an excellent balance between the small vans and large vans in the market at the time, delivering the combination of manoeuvrability and load capacity. Built alongside the Dispatch were the Peugeot Expert and Fiat Scudo vans, all three were renowned for their abilities at coping with the challenging demands of commercial tasks, with a particularly rugged character. From day one the Dispatch has been incredibly practical, with mark 1 models offering easy access to the load area with wide opening sliding side doors and the rear door which opened to 180 degrees.

Dispatch Mark 1 gets minor facelift - 2004

In 2004 the medium van received a slight facelift, with most of the front end of the van changed, including the bonnet and bumper. Also for the first time, the headlamps of the van were combined with the indicators instead of being a separate set of lights.

Citroen Dispatch Mark 2 released - 2007

In 2007 the second generation Dispatch was released after first being revealed at the CV Show that year. Mark 2 models offered payloads of 1000kg and 1200kg, sliding side doors on both sides and a pneumatic rear suspension with the ability to lower the overall height of the van to 1,894 metres, giving it the ability to enter underground car parks. The suspension also improved the loading and gave the van a constant ride height regardless of the load. The new model took the new van market by storm, earning the International Van of the Year 2008 crown.

Dispatch Mark 2 gets minor facelift - 2012

A new grille and front end look are the result of a minor facelift to the Dispatch Mark 2, there's also the introduction of Euro 5 compliant diesel engines, and in 2013 Toyota vans introduced a new model based on the Dispatch named the Toyota Proace.

Citroen Dispatch Mark 3 released - 2016

Dispatch Mark 3 models are a transformation of what has gone before, still offering excellent load carrying abilities and efficiency but with enhanced levels of cabin and ride comfort a result of using the same PSA platform as the Citroen C4 Picasso passenger car. The Dispatch offers a drive which is more like a car than many of its rivals in conjunction with a host of different driver assistance technologies.

Another change for the Dispatch Mark 3 is the single roof height, which means all Dispatch vans can fit in a standard multi-storey car park, with three van lengths available and a variety of trim levels to suit everyone's requirements and payloads up to 1400kg. The van has won multiple awards alongside the Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace medium vans, with its popularity showing no signs of waning.

Citroen Dispatch vans on finance

Looking for a new Citroen Dispatch van? Vansdirect has high spec Enterprise models in stock with cheap van finance options available including van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase. Interested? Simply fill in a contact form or call us on 0800 169 69 95 for a friendly chat with our new van experts regarding your exact requirements!