Just for a second I thought I was about to bring you a world motoring scoop. The sheet that was delivered with the road test vehicle from Citroën said a C2V was in the car park. Momentarily I fantasised that the French car maker had decided to revive possibly its most iconic model for the 21st century, then in a fit of generosity had opted to let me have first try.

Sadly not so. Once my slightly addled brain had registered the precise order of the letters and numeral, I realised this was not a revived 2CV, but C2V, a shorthand note for Citroën’s C2-derived van, boldly named the Enterprise.

The name, as it turns out, suits the nippy little newcomer well.

A fresh look for Citroën’s smallest light commercial vehicle has been matched with upgraded audio equipment, a refined interior and an optional £550 air conditioning pack.

Despite its work-a-day purpose, the Enterprise looks surprisingly sporty, thanks to a redesigned bonnet, front bumper and new grille design with larger chevrons and black laquered surround.

But the real ace up this little runabout’s sleeve lies under the bonnet. The 1.4-litre, 70 horsepower diesel engine meets Euro IV emission standards and can deliver 60-plus mpg consumption.

If low consumption is not enough to win you over, how about the lowest possible insurance group and excellent warranty cover of either two years’ unlimited mileage or three years’, 100,000-mile cover, and long, 12,500-mile servicing intervals. An instant benefit of a car-derived van is that high safety standards are guaranteed, including driver and passenger airbags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. A furthersafety feature is automatic illumination of hazard warning lights under heavy braking.

Another is that it rides and handles much like a standard C2, which means it is nippy around town, with a super-tight 9.6-metre turning circle, yet long-legged enough to take motorway cruising well within its stride, with a maximum payload of a meaty 331kg. Goodies inside include a multi-function trip computer with half-a-dozen read-outs on everything from consumption to fuel tank range and a piercingly loud ice-risk warning.

The car underpinnings also mean that you get a classy interior, with trimmed door panels, aluminium-effect dashboard trim, a CD player with steering column-mounted controls and a full mesh bulkhead.

The steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach so getting comfortable behind the wheel is quick and easy.

And even with the open loadspace, the interior is quiet and generally a pleasant place to be.

A neat touch at the rear is a two-piece door. The top, hinged, curved glass tailgate opens at the touch of a button — even if another vehicle is parked very close to the rear.

If larger items have to be handled, the lower part of the tailgate drops down to give extra space and forms a convenient, load-bearing platform.

Auto facts Citroën C2 Enterprise

  • Price: £8,345+VAT
  • Ins group: 1E
  • Length: 366.6cm/144.3in
  • Width: 165.9cm/65.3in
  • Loadspace length: 107cm
  • Loadspace length: 101cm
  • Loadspace length: 197cm
  • Fuel tank capacity: Nine gallons/41 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 113g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/100,000 miles