VM Test Drive Citroën Berlingo 2CV Fourgounette: Corrugated Sheet Metal on a Time Travel

On October 7, 1948, Citroën presented the 2CV at the Paris Motor Show. The first compact sedan with front-wheel drive in the world offered sufficient space, was unpretentious, charming, economical, and thus won over the audience. As early as spring 1951, the delivery van based on the 2CV followed – the first mass-produced van with front-wheel drive and originally 9 horsepower.

Italian Citroën Enthusiast Fabrizio Caselani

Since 2017, the Italian body shop has been offering conversion kits that can modify a Citroën Jumper to look like the legendary Citroën Type H. In February 2018, the body builder introduced an HG kit for modifying the Jumpy and the Spacetourer. Now, the Berlingo is becoming a "Kasten-Ente." Caselani’s mission is to breathe new life into a legendary model from the past while integrating the modern features and much higher performance of a current vehicle.

Let's first hear what Citroën Chief Designer Pierre Leclercq has to say:

“We are very proud that our best-seller Berlingo has been revisited by Caselani, inspired by the legendary 2CV Fourgonnette, which has left its mark both in the history of Citroën and the automotive industry. The design started in the workshops of the coachbuilder Caselani, and we then worked hand in hand. Our own designers closely monitored the work to ensure that the original 2CV Fourgonnette was not interpreted too literally, but that the result truly carries the DNA of Citroën.”

The design of the 2CV conversion kit for the Berlingo 2CV Fourgonnette was once again entrusted by Caselani to David Obendorfer, who in 2017 had already designed the Type H based on the Citroën Jumper and the Type HG for the Jumpy/SpaceTourer.

“The design objectives were not just to simply copy the shapes of the old van in a narrow sense. Rather, it was about traveling back in time and transferring its unique charm to a 21st-century vehicle. As a distant descendant, the Berlingo was entirely designed as a homage to the Citroën 2CV of the 1950s,” explains Caselani designer David Obendorfer.

Citroën, Peugeot, Opel, Toyota – and even Fiat

Modern automobiles are often barely distinguishable from each other. The Stellantis Group takes this to the extreme with its small van. The group subsidiaries Peugeot, Fiat, Opel, and Citroën – and even Toyota – all use the high-roof vehicle, available as both a car and a small van. Due to cost optimization, the models differ only marginally. Most customers in this segment won't mind. However, those looking for something very special can now opt for the limited (200 units) re-edition of the boxy 2CV van.

The striking conversion looks really well done, with the Berlingo base only recognizable by the window areas. The sides are almost entirely paneled, and the front is completely transformed by the kit – here, the hood and front area are entirely replaced with new parts. Caselani originally comes from boat building and is thus familiar with the production of fiberglass parts. He also has a pronounced passion for historical Citroën models – with a collection of his own vehicles.

“An exciting challenge, as the original van had completely different proportions. It had a very short front overhang, a beautifully long hood, and a visually distinctive cargo area – quite different features from today's Berlingo. Therefore, I focused more on the impressive overall appearance of the original vehicle rather than on individual design elements to make it look like the 2CV Fourgonnette,” Obendorfer explains.