Due for launch in Britain later this year and virtually identical aside from their badges, the newcomers will be available with a three-seater cab; highly unusual for a vehicle of this size. Top payload capacity will be 850kg.

Maximum load length will be 1,800mm, with a fold-flat passenger seat extending it to 3,000mm. Flattening the seat boosts load cube to 3.7m3.

Electronic Stability Programme and hill start assist — designed to stop you rolling back if you have to move away on an incline — will both be available. Making Berlingo and Partner a bit bigger will give Citroën's and Peugeot's new subcompact vans — smaller than Berlingo/Partner and known respectively as Nemo and Bipper — more space in the market to compete for sales when they arrive in a few months time.

The existing Partner will continue to be available after the new model's launch and will be sold under the Partner Origin banner. Citroën is likely to pursue the same policy with Berlingo.