June sees the launch of the all-new Peugeot Partner light commercial van range. The new model will introduce a number of innovative features not seen before in this market segment. Originally launched in 1996, the Peugeot Partner has been extremely successful with over 60,000 sold in the UK, since its launch. Due to this success the original vehicle will still remain on sale alongside the new model, and will be renamed the Partner Origin. The new Partner van is available with either panelled or glazed hinged rear doors, two sliding side doors and a rear tailgate with an opening rear tailgate glass. The problem of transporting long objects inside a small van has been made much easier in the new Partner van, with the availability of an ingenious interior “roof rack”. This special rack runs the entire length of the roof and is ideal for carrying items such as PVC tubing. The new van is 4.38m long and in standard format offers a load volume of 3.3 cubic metres (against the old model’s 3.0 cu m) and payloads of between 625kg and 850kg. The load area is wide enough to contain a standard Europallet while six load-lashing eyes will help keep cargo in place. Later in the year an extended model will be launched with the same wheelbase that will increase load volume further to 3.7 cubic metres.
As a vehicle designed with the understanding that its users may need to spend many hours in it, the door openings are wide and the controls ergonomically designed. With a height adjustable driver’s seat and a height and depth adjustable steering wheel it is very easy to find a comfortable driving position. Comfort features include self-regulating air-conditioning, automatic headlight activation and rain sensors, while safety features include front airbags as standard equipment and head curtain airbags, ESP and cruise control as options. The new Partner van is fitted with a radio/single CD player which can be combined with an optional five disc CD auto-changer and a “hands-free” Bluetooth kit. To make daily driving easier, the new Partner van offers a range of optional equipment: rear parking assistance, automatic windscreen wipers, automatic illumination of the headlamps and folding electric mirrors.
Inside the cabin there are many different storage areas: around the fascia panel, above the driver’s head, in the doors and under the seats. The innovative Multi-Flex dual passenger seat offers unrivalled modularity and enables the vehicle to carry two passengers. The middle seat can be folded down which reveals a handy desk, while the outer passenger seat also folds to reveal extra cargo space, which allows for loads of up to 3m long to be carried.
Under the bonnet there is a choice of petrol and diesel engines. The 1.6 HDi diesel offers 75bhp or 90bhp, while returning over 45mpg on the combined cycle, the 1.6-litre petrol offers 90bhp, returning 34mpg on the combined cycle. Both the diesel and petrol engines are mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. The new Partner van is equipped with four disc brakes and ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBFD), emergency brake assist (EBA) and automatic illumination of the hazard warning lights during emergency braking. Vehicle running costs are an important factor to businesses and self employed people. To help lower running costs, the new Partner van benefits from extended service intervals of 12,500 miles or 2 years for diesel engines and 20,000 miles or 2 years for petrol engines. The new Partner van updates the firms’ successful small van offerings, promising versatility, value for money and a new best load capacity in the small panel van segment.
