Peugeot celebrated 120 years in the LCV business at this week’s CV Show by unveiling its latest Partner van.
Described by its manufacturers as the UK’s best seller in the compact sector, the Partner on display in Birmingham debuted a new look and extra equipment.
The newcomer is the fourth generation of a van first launched in 1996, when its one-box style made the vehicle a major success.
Styling changes include a new front-end design with redesigned headlamps, differentiating the van from its passenger-carrying sister the Partner Tepee. The Partner is also of course a sister to the Citroën Berlingo, also debuting in Birmingham.
The Partner will be offered with six VTi petrol, HDi and BlueHDi diesel engines, ranging from 74 to 99bhp and all Euro 6 emissions compilant. Peugeot says that
fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 15% lower on average than the engines they replace.
The 1.6 HDi 75 and 1.6 HDi 92 Euro 5 engines, meanwhile, will continue to be available until June 2016 while there is also a Partner Van Electric version with zero emissions, delivering 66bhp and having a potential range of 105 miles. Its battery carries an eight-year or 60,000 miles warranty.
Peugeot is highlighting the strong safety package of the Partner, that as well as the standard-fit ABS, emergency braking assistance, ESP with traction control, Hill Start Assist and Direct under-inflation detection, also offers as an option the Active City Brake.
Van-specific features include a third-central passenger seat with a normal level of legroom, claimed to be unique in the segment, and due to the gearbox and its rotary control knob being mounted on the dashboard instead of a gear lever.
Close to 60 litres of storage space is also available in the cabin for the use of passengers and the driver.
A wide range of body styles are offered with a choice between two lengths: L1 at 4.38 metres and L2 at 4.63m, as well as a crew cab version with a folding bench seat and a floor cab for body converters.
L1 load volumes range from 3.3 cubic metres with a load length of 1.80m while on the L2 they are 3.7 cubic metres and 2.05m. A load width of 1.62m and 1.23m between wheel arches ensures that the Partner Van will carry two Euro pallets.
