Citroën Berlingo engines

Since its market launch in 1996, the Citroën Berlingo has established itself as a versatile high-roof station wagon, offering a wide range of engines from economical diesels to modern petrol engines across three generations. The technological development reflects the change from robust but simple drives to efficient and environmentally friendly engines.

Citroën Berlingo Generation I (1996-2008)

The first Citroën Berlingo generation was characterized by robust but technically simple engines that were characterized by their durability and ease of maintenance. With proper care, most Citroën Berlingo engines of this era easily reached 250,000 to 350,000 kilometers, with the HDI diesel engines often even managing 400,000 kilometers and more. Major repairs were usually only due after 180,000 to 220,000 kilometers, mainly on the clutch, timing belt or injection system. The absolute top engine of this generation was the 2.0 HDI with 90 hp, which optimally combined reliability, economy and sufficient power. This generation underwent a facelift in 2002, which primarily extended and modernized the engine range.

Citroën Berlingo petrol engines: Generation I (1996-2008)

The Citroën Berlingo petrol engine range mainly comprised atmospheric engines from the TU series. The entry-level engine was a 1.1-liter with 60 hp (1996-2002), followed by the popular 1.4-liter with 75 hp, which proved to be very reliable. The most powerful petrol engine was a 1.6-liter with 90 hp (from 2002), which offered a good balance between performance and consumption for its time. These Citroën Berlingo engines were characterized by their simplicity - no turbochargers, no complex electronics, but high reliability and low repair costs. Typical weaknesses were only the ignition coils after high mileage and occasionally leaking valve cover gaskets.

Citroën Berlingo diesel engines: Generation I (1996-2008)

The Citroën Berlingo diesels were initially dominated by the tried-and-tested 1.9 D with 68 hp (1996-2002), a simple naturally aspirated diesel without a turbocharger, which was loud and sluggish, but practically indestructible. The breakthrough came with the HDI engines: the 1.9 HDI with 70 hp (from 1999) and later the 2.0 HDI with 90 hp (from 2002) revolutionized the series. These Citroën Berlingo HDI engines offered common-rail injection, significantly more power and better running characteristics combined with low fuel consumption. The 2.0 HDI became the favorite of frequent drivers and is still considered one of the best diesel engines of its time - robust, economical and with excellent pulling power.

Citroën Berlingo Generation II (2008-2018)

The second Citroën Berlingo generation marked the transition to modern engine technologies and brought with it both progress and new challenges. Mileage remained high at 250,000 to 320,000 kilometers, with the proven HDI diesel engines continuing to be the most reliable powertrains. Major repairs were mostly due between 150,000 and 200,000 kilometers, mainly on the particulate filter, turbocharger or timing chain on the newer engines. The absolute highlight was the 1.6 HDI with 92 hp, which perfected the proven HDI technology and is considered one of the best diesel engines in its class. This generation also introduced modern turbocharged petrol engines for the first time, but these were more prone to failure than their predecessors.

Citroën Berlingo petrol engines: Generation II (2008-2018)

The Citroën Berlingo petrol engine range was completely revised and now included modern engines from the Prince series. The 1.6 VTi with 95 hp (2008-2012) was an atmospheric engine that proved to be very reliable. From 2012, the first turbo engines arrived: the 1.2 PureTech with 110 hp and the 1.6 THP with 120 hp. These Citroën Berlingo engines offered significantly more power with lower fuel consumption, but also showed new weaknesses. The 1.2 PureTech suffered from problems with the timing belt in the oil bath, while the 1.6 THP was prone to turbocharger damage and timing chain wear. The most reliable petrol engine remained the 1.6 VTi without turbocharger.

Citroën Berlingo diesel engines: Generation II (2008-2018)

The Citroën Berlingo diesel range continued to be based on the proven HDI technology. The 1.6 HDI was available in various power levels from 75 hp to 120 hp, with the 92 hp variant (DV6TED4) being considered the best. These Citroën Berlingo HDI engines featured the latest generation of common-rail injection and a particulate filter as standard. The 1.6 HDI with 92 hp became a bestseller and impressed with its low fuel consumption of just 4.8-5.4 liters, high reliability and good driving performance. Typical weaknesses were mainly the particulate filter on short journeys and occasionally the high-pressure pump after high mileage.

Citroën Berlingo Generation III (2018-today)

The current Citroën Berlingo generation relies on state-of-the-art engine technology and electrification. The reliability of the conventional engines reaches 280,000 to 350,000 kilometers with proper maintenance, whereby the new PureTech engines have overcome their teething troubles. Major repairs are usually only due after 180,000 to 220,000 kilometers, mainly on exhaust gas aftertreatment or hybrid components. The top-of-the-range engine is the 1.5 BlueHDi with 130 hp, which combines state-of-the-art diesel technology with high efficiency. For the first time, this generation also offers an all-electric drive (ë-Berlingo) with 136 hp and a range of up to 280 km, which has proven to be very reliable and low-maintenance.

Citroën Berlingo petrol engines: Generation III (2018-today)

The Citroën Berlingo petrol engine range consists exclusively of the latest generation of PureTech engines. The 1.2 PureTech is available in power levels from 110 hp to 130 hp, with the more powerful variants featuring turbocharging. These Citroën Berlingo engines have largely overcome the problems of the previous generation - the critical timing belt in the oil bath has been replaced by a more robust design. The 1.2 PureTech with 110 hp (atmospheric) is considered the most reliable petrol engine of this generation and offers a good balance between performance, consumption and reliability. The turbo variants still occasionally show weaknesses in exhaust gas recirculation and the ignition coils.

Citroën Berlingo diesel engines: Generation III (2018-today)

The Citroën Berlingo diesel range is based on modern BlueHDi technology with the latest generation SCR catalytic converter and particulate filter. The 1.5 BlueHDi is available in power levels from 100 hp to 130 hp and replaces the proven 1.6 HDI engines. These Citroën Berlingo BlueHDi engines meet the Euro 6d-Temp standard and offer very low fuel consumption of just 4.2-4.8 liters per 100 km. The 1.5 BlueHDi with 130 hp is developing into the new reference engine for frequent drivers and impresses with its high efficiency, good driving performance and so far very good reliability. Typical weaknesses are mainly the complex exhaust gas aftertreatment and occasionally the AdBlue dosing system.

Citroën Berlingo electric drive: Generation III (2018-today)

The Citroën ë-Berlingo offers a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor with a 50 kWh battery and a range of up to 280 km according to WLTP. This Citroën Berlingo electric drive is characterized by its smooth running, high torque of 260 Nm from the first moment and very low operating costs. Reliability has been excellent so far, with only the charging cables and occasional weaknesses in the air conditioning system. The ë-Berlingo charges with up to 100 kW DC power and thus reaches 80% battery capacity in 30 minutes.

Conclusion: The best Citroën Berlingo engines of all generations

The development of Citroën Berlingo engines shows a continuous improvement in terms of efficiency and environmental compatibility, with reliability remaining at a consistently high level. While the first generations impressed with their simplicity and robustness, the modern engines offer significantly more power with lower consumption. The electrification of the latest generation opens up completely new possibilities for environmentally conscious drivers.

• Best Citroën Berlingo gasoline engine:

The 1.6 VTi (95 hp, Generation II) combines proven technology with high reliability and low maintenance costs - ideal for infrequent drivers.

• Best Citroën Berlingo diesel engine:

The 1.5 BlueHDi (130 hp, Generation III) offers state-of-the-art diesel technology with outstanding efficiency and high everyday usability for frequent drivers.

• Best Citroën Berlingo electric drive:

The electric motor (136 hp, Generation III) with its high reliability, low running costs and 280 km range - perfect for urban use.

For maintenance and spare parts for all Citroën Berlingo generations, AUTODOC offers a comprehensive range of original and quality spare parts with fast delivery and expert advice.

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