CITROËN is piling on the pressure in the panel van market by including Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and a GPS vehicle tracking device as a standard fitment on new Relays.

Mercedes-Benz, with the Sprinter, and Volkswagen, with the Crafter, have just launched against the Relay but Citroën believes its new van, which went on sale last week, now matches – and in some cases exceeds – the German rivals.

Relay will be the only van in the UK to offer sat-nav and tracking as standard. Citroën believes the devices can save about £2,500 a year per vehicle in running costs and also said the Relay will be capable of running on up to 30% biodiesel with no modifications, offering cuts of 20% in CO2 emissions and particulates.

Prices start at £15,150 ex-VAT.