Between 1995 and 2005, the European light commercial vehicle market expanded by 60% increasing from 1,291,000 to more than 2,000,000 units. At the same time, Peugeot saw its volume of light commercial vehicles increase from 76,000 to 166,000 units. The new Peugeot Boxer is built in partnership with Fiat, and introduces a broader and more varied range than before, combined with an increase in load capacity, in terms of both total weight and volume. With its stylish good looks, portraying a powerful and robust exterior, the design also ensures the vehicle is easy to use and it provides the flexibility needed by users of this type of vehicle.Inside the new Boxer, the cab is practical, comfortable and well furnished and includes an adjustable drive's seat and depth adjustable steering wheel. The dash mounted gearshift falls easily to hand and frees up the cross cab access so that the driver can alight on pavements in busy streets. The fascia panel has been designed and manufactured for enhanced functionality. It has a large number of storage spaces, including a central compartment, two glove boxes, one of which is ‘chillable’, and practical equipment such as a document holder and cup holder. To complete the specification, the Boxer also offers a storage pocket in the lower part of each front door panel, overhead storage with an effective volume of 22 litres, a storage area under the driver’s seat and an extractable container under the other seats. The passenger bench seat has a writing table incorporated into the back of the central seat.
Road holding and safety have all been improved over the current Boxer, all new Boxer models are fitted with disc brakes, both front and rear, and are equipped as standard with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) which includes speed sensors on each of the four wheels and electronic brake force distribution (EBFD).
The New Boxer range is powered by common rail, direct injection HDi diesel engine with a capacity of 2.2 litres developing either 100bhp or 120bhp or a 3.0 litre engine developing 157bhp. These engines provide either torque figures of between 250 Nm and 400 Nm and are combined with a five or six-speed gearbox. Compared to the previous generation HDi diesel engines, fuel consumption has been reduced by nearly 10% and the time between maintenance checks has been increased by 30%. This will therefore, reduce running costs, an important consideration for both small business users and major fleets.
The new van range now offers three wheelbases SWB at 3M, MWB at 3.45M and LWB at 4.04M and two roof heights standard and high. The cube-shape rear of the Boxer, functionally serves to guarantee a maximum load volume from 8m3 to 13m3 with a payload range of 1.1 to 1.5 tonnes and a GVW of 3.0 to 3.5 tonnes.
The heavyweight of the Peugeot light commercial range, the Boxer panel van, is a tasty proposition in its latest guise. Over a distinguished career, it has proven itself as a genuine contender and, more importantly, a people's champion ' thanks to consistently impressive performances in the sales rankings. If parcel carriers and couriers want something that looks a little bit different, but every bit as practical and just as comfortable, then the Boxer certainly punches its weight in the heavyweight class. With over 530,000, Peugeot Boxer vans produced since its launch in 1994, the revised Boxer with its increased load capacity, payload, state of the art diesel engines, low running costs and comprehensive standard specification, will provide stiff competition and ensure it retains its No1 status in Europe.
