The
Peugeot Partner is relatively new to Australia, however, the reputation of the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) range of Peugeot across the globe cannot be overlooked. The Partner is basically a reliable, practical and functional van. It does not only provide a colossal area, but offers decent capacity too, and most importantly, a comfortable and authoritative driving position that sets the Partner a cut above the rest.
Inside the Partner things aren’t quite as basic as you might expect from a typical commercial van. The cab is masterfully crafted and pleasing aesthetically. A Multiflex seat can be installed which will allow the
Partner to carry one or two passengers in the middle or outboard seating position, as well as the driver. The ingenious layout of the dash makes the Partner a practical mobile office. There maybe a more up market feel in some competitors but the Partner’ success is anchored on its simplicity and the interior definitely won’t offend anyone.
There’s a fair share of nice equipment too, the Partner is fitted standard with variable power steering, three-point inertia seatbelts, a height-adjustable steering column, driver’s airbag, ABS brakes with EBD and cruise control with speed limiter function. Considering the amount of time during a typical working day that would be spent behind the wheel, Partner provides a generous range of standard kit such as power-steering, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, single MP3 compatible CD tuner and multiple storage bins.
Peugeot engineered the Partner in two body lengths to afford customers between 1,800 and 2,050 mm load lengths which can carry cargo of up to 750 kg or 850 kg for the longer model, the interior lengths are 1,800 mm and 2,050 mm, the loading height is 1,250 mm, and the maximum width is 1,620 mm.
The Partner’s compact exterior dimensions allow for a surprisingly easy to maneuver van that is pretty sleek and attractive for this type of vehicle. The lateral view and the rear end are not bad either, making the Partner a first-rate vehicle from a visual marketing perspective, without necessarily being cheap and kinky.
Under the bonnet of the
Peugeot Partner is a four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine that generates a solid torque curve and rated at 55 kW. One thing remarkable about this engine is that more than 90 percent of the available torque is delivered from merely 1,250 rpm. There’s definitely plenty of pulling power and you don’t have to row it along in city driving with the gear lever. Critics may say that it is quite slow rolling on the open road once loaded with a considerable weight, but the Partner is nimble and highly effective in maintaining pace when moving around town.
The entire power train is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox which offers an efficient ratio spread for commercial purposes. You will find the real value of the Partner once you load a bit of weight on, particularly when climbing steep terrain. Overall, the Peugeot Partner makes a good long distance companion but is equally savvy in urban motoring where the powerful torque output takes over. It’s a great deal, a pleasant drive and considering the length of time you’ll probably spend on the road, it is well worth checking out if you’re shopping for a commercial van.
