(Wed 22 Apr 09)

The latest in Citroen's increasingly long line-up of MPVs is the Nemo Multispace, a passenger-carrying version of the Nemo van.

Like the Berlingo Multispace, which is also van-based, the Nemo has been designed to be simple, practical and cheap. There is just one trim level but a lot of interior space, ranging from 360 litres below the parcel shelf with all seats in place to 2500 litres up to roof level with all but the front two seats removed.

There is just one trim level, and standard equipment includes remote central locking, a trip computer, guide-me-home headlights and four airbags. Air-conditioning, roof bars, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and metallic paint are all extra-cost options totalling £1470.

The Nemo comes with a choice of two engines, of which the more powerful is a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol. This gives the car a top speed of 96mph, a 0-62mph time of 16.2 seconds, combined fuel economy of 42.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 165g/km. The 70bhp 1.4 turbo diesel alternative is slower but much more economical at 62.8mpg, and CO2 emissions are right down at 119g/km.

Each engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, but the diesel can also be specified with the Sensodrive transmission, which is basically a manual but uses electronic control of the gearchanging and therefore has no clutch pedal. Sensodrive makes no difference to the diesel's economy but does improve the 0-62mph time very slightly (though only from 18.2 seconds to 17.8 seconds).

Although it will be the most expensive to run, the petrol is the cheapest version to buy with a basic list price of £9995. The diesel costs £10,995 in manual form or £11,795 with Sensodrive.

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