France’s most famous utility vehicle celebrates its 40th anniversary!

If you wander the countryside of our beautiful country from time to time, it probably won’t be long before you come across, on the side of the road, a curious little white car from the 80s with a not-so-impressive appearance.. Finally, for this last step, everything is a matter of taste, but let’s say that the Citroën Visa that was the basis is not necessarily the car with the most sex appeal at the time. So think there and the wallet …

However, almost 40 years later, Citroën C15 has become one of the symbols of our country. Priced at the time from 60,000 francs, equivalent to €19,646.94 today (taking into account currency erosion due to inflation), this car quickly built a strong reputation in France. C15, at GVW (1500 kg), is an indestructible vehicle, and only rust can get better!

The simplicity of severity

This simple and light car, not to mention very good on steep terrain, was easy to build. Appeared in 1984, the Citroën C15 had the right to three generations until its production was completely stopped in 2006.. Even today, around 90,000 Citroen C15s are circulating in France according to statistics at the end of 2022. At 3.99 meters long, 1.80 meters high and 1.63 meters wide, all with a cargo volume of 2,670 m3, the C15 had an incredible capacity/ space ratio. And it was not the Citroen Berlingo, which arrived in 1996 to “replace” it, which could boast of being strong and spacious. With its Peugeot 104 chassis, Citroen Visa front end and Citroën BX rear axle, the C15 is a melting pot of several successful models from Peugeot Citroën., and the same for engines, which were not burnt at that time and continue to please the owners. The naysayers will say that these are not the PureTechs of today, but we can’t prove them wrong!

The C15 was launched with petrol and a 1.1 liter XU engine of 55 hp. A few months later, the herringbone company launched a 60 hp 1.8 liter XUD diesel unit derived from the Peugeot 205.. In 1986, new gasoline engines appeared, including a 0.9-liter unit with 45 hp and a 1.4-liter version with 60 hp, giving an increased load of 760 kg. In 1988, Simca gasoline engines of 54 and 64 hp were added, while the diesel version offered an optional payload of over 760 kg. In July 1988, the C15 adopted the popular TU petrol engines of 45, 55 and 60 hp.

More than 40 years of work

As mentioned above, the Citroen C15 has undergone several important developments during its production. In March 1989, the first revision arrived with the revision of other bodywork items. In 1990, an electric model even arrived with a range of 100 km and a top speed of 100 km/h. The third phase of the C15, from August 1992, saw a redesign with the chevrons returning to the center of the grille and the addition of plastic protection on the sides. In October 1995, when the product reached the end of its life, the range was simplified to two finishes. However, production of the C15 continues until December 2006, with few updates to keep it alive, mainly in Morocco.. It was replaced by the Berlingo in 2007.