Citroën Type H Caselani test: at the wheel of the modern "TUB Citroën"!

The Citroën Type H Caselani 2021 recovers the features of the utility of yesteryear on a modern Jumper base.

Are you a fan of the legendary Type H, but you prefer the comfort of a modern utility vehicle? Here is the Citroën Type H Caselani which, on a contemporary Jumper basis, embodies its ancestor to bring together the best of both eras. We already love it.

Test car: Citroën Jumper Type H Caselani

Diesel Engine | Power: 140 ch
Launch: January 2018

From€ 37,000

no bonus
no penalty

When he’s not crossing the Sahara at the wheel of his modified 2CVs, Fabrizio Caselani works for the nautical industry. Composite materials, molds, prototypes… nothing has any secrets for this Italian entrepreneur, whose mastery has gradually brought him closer to the automotive sector. Anyone who also likes to travel in a van with his wife and three daughters gives birth to an idea to mark 70 years of the Type H utility vehicle: create a conversion kit based on a Citroën Jumper, to combine the boils of its idol with the comfort of a contemporary utility vehicle. The Type H of the XXI^e century was born.

Citroen tube 2020 — A vintage Citroën Type H? No, a 2021 Jumper reviewed by the Italian Caselani!

Here, no hazardous bolidage. The wavy sidewalls follow the original panels with no visible seams, both around the handles and the sliding side door track. The front side is completely removed to accommodate the hood, headlights, bumper and grille forming the inimitable snout of the Type H of yesteryear. Those who are more picky can even add the optional “dome” roof, characteristic of the period utility, as well as the rear doors with central false glass and other chrome elements around the lights. A palette of colors from the past is also available as a supplement but obviously, the crisp side of the achievement will be proportional to the price requested.

Citroën Type H Caselani price

Appointment is made at Citroën Cherbourg, the only dealer to officially distribute the Type H 2021 in France. The sales brochure shows how this friendly monster adapts to all uses: four lengths, three heights, chassis cab, van, minibus, not to mention the food-truck, tow truck, refrigerated transport or motorhome versions! It remains to be able to afford them. The price of the kit varies between 10 800 € HT for the single front cabin (in the case of a tow truck with a rear plate for example) and 19 800 € HT for the whole van, to be added to the price of a Jumper nine of course.

... or those of the LED rear lights. It's hard to imagine that a classic Jumper served as a base!

And this, regardless of the location, like here under the third brake light.

This is evidenced by the surrounds of door handles ...

Then come the corrugated roof with four panels (2,800 € HT), the Chrome pack (1,300 € HT), Custom paint (1,500 € HT), the Pallas Packet with “vegan” leather (1,440 € HT for the front cell, € 4,340 for the 9-seater minibus) and even the 4 x 4 Dangel transmission (€ 11,580 excl. tax) in addition to the options of the classic Jumper (see all the details on the next page). Perfect to combine with the Wildcamp kit with gallery, roof ladder, aluminum suitcases and jerrycan at € 2,800 excl.

In France, the modern Type H can therefore be purchased directly from Citroën in Cherbourg or from one of the six other independent distributors. (list available on the official Caselani website). The time for the assembly of the kit in Italy is about two months, to be added to the four months claimed for the manufacture of a new Jumper at the end of 2021. With eleven orders since January, the Citroën Channel Auto dealership manager, Mehdi Melviaque, is satisfied with the success in which the new type is also participating HG, more compact because based on the Jumpy and Spacetourer. The price of the kit then drops to € 14,800, but the production time peaks at eight months, excluding processing at Caselani.

At the wheel of the Jumper Type H

We left the Channel Auto dealership at the controls of a Jumper L1 H1 van. The endearing H-type muzzle already calls out to passers-by, which clump together from our first stop at the seaside. ” My kids love it, where to find it ? », Asks this mother; ” We resell the apartment and we buy it! “, this couple of surfers gets carried away; ” I’m ready to do something crazy… ”, smiles this retiree walking his Breton spaniel. However, we are in Normandy, on the road to the Caps du Cotentin, whose sublime panoramas divert our gaze from the interior.

Not a problem: on board, apart from a numbered plate which no longer applies (the Type H first came in a limited series of 70 copies), nothing distinguishes our Caselani van from a classic Jumper. Only clues? Door panels that slightly “bite” the bottom of the side windows and a thickened hood whose less inclination ultimately makes the contours of the Jumper easier to understand.

On this point, we also praise the presence of the optional reversing camera, much more effective for maneuvers than the central rear window, unfortunately dummy! If the comfort (a bit firm when empty) and the driving position (very high perched) recall the utilitarian origin of the Jumper, this is not the case for the rest: soft and precise controls, correct soundproofing, sufficient performance of the 2.2 BlueHDi 140 empty, braking and reassuring heading hold characterize this 2021 model. Or as many qualities totally unknown to the historic Type H … Was it better before? This time, not really!