Citroen has announced that it’s going to reveal a new entry level version of its Berlingo van at the upcoming IAA Transportation show in Hannover. 

It’s “more modern, accessible and ingenious”, says Citroen, which is a bold way to hype up your new load lugger. 

Even more bold is the claim that it’s the modern day answer to the 2CV Fourgonnette, that classic provincial French van that can mostly be seen these days serving espressos at your local artisanal market. 

There is of course a new version of the 2CV on the way, but we don't know whether that will be turned into a van yet. 

The new version means business though – it's called the Berlingo Van First, and we’re quite taken with the steel wheels and glossy black bumpers in the initial image that Citroen has sent out ahead of the German show. 

The First has a new dashboard and door panels, but the really exciting stuff is in the main part of the cabin – the passenger seat is a ‘Flexiseat’ that can be folded away to create an extra 0.5 cubic metres of cargo space up front. 

That comes as standard, and there’s an optional ‘Modutable’ that is essentially a fold-out table where you can do a bit of work or have your lunch. 

Citroen’s gone a bit crazy with the words – the First also sports new features called the Dashbox, Moduconsole, Drivedrawer or Moduwork. We’ve no real idea what any of those things do, but we’re excited to find out. 

The Berlingo Van First is set to come with a range of petrol and diesel engines, but our favourite is the 136hp electric version that has a range of 168 miles (270km). 

The new van has a cargo volume of up to 4.4 cubic metres and will carry up to a tonne of stuff. 

We don’t know what it’ll cost or when it’ll be on sale yet. Citroen did make its electric vans the same cost as its diesel ones earlier this year, hopefully that will continue – it says the new van will be “particularly affordable” and we’ll reckon on early 2027.