The new Peugeot Partner van is be manufactured in Vigo (Spain) on Peugeot’s number two platform, which it shares with the new Peugeot 308. It will be available in two body lengths (L1 and L2). One very well equipped trim level will be offered, with two load volume and two payload options.

The Peugeot Partner van has been very successful over an extended period of time, and has proven itself in the very competitive European market. Over 1.3 million Partner vans have been manufactured since the vehicle was launched in 1996, with 155,000 of those delivered in 2007.

Two Body Lengths

The new Partner is available in two body lengths, 4.38 metres and 4.63 metres, on a single wheelbase of 2.73 metres.

The load capacity of the new Partner van positions it straight away as a market leader:

• An effective load volume ranging from 3.3 m3 to 4.1 m3 with the Multi-Flex dual passenger seat
• A payload of 750 or 850 kg
• An accessible load length of 1.80 metres (L1) or 2.05 metres (L2) which can be increased to 3.2 metres when the Multi-Flex bench seat is folded down
• A maximum loading width of 1.62 metres
• A effective load area height of 1.25 metres
• A load sill height of 0.609 metres

With a load area width between the wheel arches of 1.22 metres, both versions can easily accommodate a pallet (1.20 metres x 0.80 metres). Even with its generous load capacity, the new Partner van is still relatively compact in terms of its overall size, making it very versatile and easy to drive in an urban or industrial environment.

Dual Passengers Seat

A new and unique feature, the innovative Multi-Flex dual passenger seat offers unrivalled modularity and enables the vehicle to carry two passengers, a feature not previously offered in the small van market segment. The innovative ‘folding’ mechanism also allows it to increase the overall load length of the vehicle to 3 m (3.25 m in the extended version), running from the rear doors to the fascia panel. The new Partner van will be available with either two individual front seats or the Multi-Flex dual passenger seat.

The Multi-Flex dual passenger seat also offers:

• ”Jump” seat for more load height at the front - Similar to a jump seat, the seat cushion can be raised to free up space in the front part of the cabin. This makes it possible to transport a tall load using the space where the passenger would normally sit.
• Mobile office - The rear of the centre seat can be folded flat to provide a writing table which can also be used to hold documents. The seat can also be raised to provide access to a storage space which can be secured by a padlock.

The seat is also equipped with two three-point seat belts.

Access

The new Partner van is available with glazed hinged rear doors and one or two sliding side doors.

The load space has been designed with particular care to ensure ease of use and robustness. For example, the interior is protected against possible payload damage with the inside walls being fully lined under the bodyline. By protecting the load space against internal damage, it ensures the appearance of the exterior bodywork remains intact, which is often important for the owner’s business or professional image.

The load area floor has six robust and practical locating rings to hold the payload in place. In addition, different load restraints are available, starting with a standard equipment five bar driver’s ladder frame protector located behind the driver’s seat.

At the customer’s request, however, it is possible to equip the new Partner van with an optional half-height steel bulkhead with a removable mesh grille.

The load space access door allows the maximum possible load length to be used in conjunction with the Multi-Flex dual passenger seat.

Practicality is also combined with safety, thanks to the fitment of selective door locking. A button on the fascia panel, with an LED indicator, allows the load space to be locked or unlocked independently of the cab. This button can also be used in addition to the central locking button.

The new Partner van from Peugeot benefits from the meticulous attention paid to the design of even the smallest detail in order to make day to day use easier. It is, therefore, extremely versatile and can be accessed easily in all possible circumstances.

The shape of the doors has been designed in order to make access simple and offers a high level of ergonomics to its professional users who need to load and unload their vehicle regularly.

The new Partner van can be equipped with one or two sliding side doors. With an accessible width of 640 mm and an accessible height of 1,100 mm, these doors provide a wide opening directly into the load space. Sliding side doors are optional on all L1 models while the L2 model benefits from twin sliding side doors as standard.

At the rear, the asymmetric hinged rear doors can accommodate a load with a maximum width of 1,250 mm and a height of 1,200 mm. The square shaped loading space helps to facilitate loading and unloading. The hinged rear doors can be opened out to an angle of either 90° or 180°, making loading operations much easier.

Lastly, the design of the profile of the rear doors allows the new Partner to benefit from a load sill height of only 609 mm.

Safety

All new Partner vans feature a driver airbag as standard, but a passenger airbag is an option. All seats are fitted with three point inertia reel seat belts. The new Partner van provides optimal protection for all occupants in a high speed front impact due to its three front impact absorption structures (lower, middle and upper). The lower impact structure also enhances pedestrian impact protection and helps to reduce repair costs in low speed impacts. In the event of a side impact, occupants are protected by a reinforced B/C post, the doors and the seat structure. At the rear, a rear impact beam and the specially designed rear structure deform in a controlled manner, thereby providing optimal protection and limiting repair costs.

A “Driver fasten seatbelt” warning system is also fitted. ABS with EBFD is standard, along with cruise control featuring a speed limiter. A passenger airbag, as well as ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) combined with a traction control system (ASR) are optional.

Petrol Engine

1.6 litre 16v 66 kW Petrol Engine
This four cylinder 1.6 litre 16v petrol engine is equipped with indirect fuel injection and has a light alloy cylinder head with sixteen valves. It develops a maximum torque of 132 Nm at 2,500 rpm and a maximum power of 66 kW at 5,800 rpm. This engine is characterised by its high torque availability at low engine speeds, similar to those of a diesel engine. Indeed, 92% of the torque is available from 1,500 rpm. This characteristic is very useful when driving a heavily loaded vehicle as its high torque output is particularly helpful when pulling away.

Diesel Engine

1.6 litre HDi 55 kW Diesel Engine
The entry level offer in the diesel range is the 1.6 litre HDi 55 kW engine. This aluminium based, four cylinder sixteen valve engine benefits from a second generation common rail direct injection system, with a 1,600 bar high-pressure electronic pump. This engine owes its efficiency to its high torque output which is available at virtually all engine speeds. Indeed, 90% of the maximum torque is available from 1,250rpm. It also remains above 150 Nm right up to 3,500 rpm, improving overall driveability, while reducing fuel consumption and emissions to 5.8 and 153 g/km of CO2 in the combined cycle respectively.
1.6 litre HDi 66 kW Diesel Engine
Based on the 55 kW version, it strengthens and further benefits this engine, namely its high torque output at low engine speeds, good in-gear acceleration, consistent performance when loaded and reduced running costs. With a maximum torque output of 215 Nm at 1,750 rpm it offers an even broader operating range, since at 4,000 rpm the available torque is still 158 Nm. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is the same as the 55 kW version, namely 5.8, with CO2 emissions of 153 g/km.

Suspension, Steering & Braking

The design of the suspension and the wheel size is a direct development of the set-up normally found on platform two vehicles, with all their proven dynamic qualities.

The new Partner van has a pseudo McPherson type front suspension consisting of drop links, coiled springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.

It incorporates all of Peugeot’s know-how in terms of road holding and also benefits from adaptations designed specifically for professional use.

Particular attention has also been paid to the location of the rear dampers which have been inclined, in order to preserve the maximum available interior load space. This positioning reduces the space needed for the wheel arches in the load area. This means pallets can be loaded easily into the new Peugeot Partner.

Designed to carry a load of up to 850 kg, the new Partner has special dampers, designed to meet not only this weight requirement but also to withstand use on poor road surfaces, such as site work for example. Also the rear suspension mountings are constructed from two different types of material to enhance the rigidity of the rear suspension. The front and rear dampers also have different damping characteristics.

The extended (L2) Partner van uses the same suspension setup as the standard (L1) version, but it is specially adapted to the 750 kg potential payload.

Regardless of engine option, 195/65 R15 tyres are fitted to all models.

For effortless manoeuvring regardless of load, variable power steering is fitted to all models. The system is controlled by an engine driven hydraulic pump which modulates assistance according to engine speed.

In terms of braking, the new Partner van is equipped with four disc brakes to ensure efficient performance regardless of load. The diameter of the ventilated discs at the front is 283 mm while the rear non-ventilated discs have a diameter of 268 mm. This arrangement gives good feel and dependable braking performance.

To assist the driver when braking, the vehicle is equipped as standard with ABS, electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) and emergency brake assist (EBA).

Automatic activation of the hazard warning lights in the case of emergency braking is also contained within the ABS system. This reduces the risk of a collision and immediately alerts following vehicles of a possible emergency situation.

ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) is available as an option on all engines. It is coupled with an ASR traction control system and a hill-start assist function. On a gradient in excess of 5% this function automatically keeps the vehicle at a standstill for around two seconds, thereby preventing the vehicle from moving accidentally when the brake pedal is released or stalling, attempting to pull away.

Interior

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 for the driver to find a comfortable driving position.

For enhanced comfort, air conditioning is standard on the new Peugeot Partner.

The new Partner van is fitted with a radio/single CD player which can be combined with a “handsfree” Bluetooth phone kit.

Cabin Storage Areas

During the design of the vehicle every available space was put to use. As a result, the new Peugeot Partner has lots of storage compartments.

In the passenger compartment, several storage areas have been incorporated in the fascia panel including:

• A glove box in the upper section behind the steering wheel
• Side storage in the lower centre console on the passenger side
• Two storage pockets under the air vents in the central part of the fascia panel

The overhead storage above the driver’s head can accommodate a variety of objects in a volume of up to 12.5 litres, which also locates the sun visors and the courtesy light. Openings placed at the rear of the overhead storage make it possible to see stored objects and retrieve them more easily.

Lower down, near the hand brake, there is a wide storage space with two cup holders in the rear section.

Both front doors also have two storage pockets, one with a total volume of 7.5 litres, which can accommodate a 1.5 litre bottle and a drinks’ can. A sliding drawer is also fitted under the driver’s seat with a volume of 5 litres on all models and storage bins in the rear doors and load area floor.

A Simple Commercial Range:

• 15” steel wheels
• Electric front windows
• ABS and EBA
• Driver airbag
• Selective cab/load area central locking
• Asymetric steel rear 180 degree opening doors
• Radio/MP3 compatible CD player with remote controls
• Power steering
• Driver’s ladder frame protector
• Height adjustable driver’s seat with armrest and storage drawer
• Passenger seat with armrest and fold down back with cup holders
• Overhead driver and passenger storage
• Electric heated door mirrors
• 3 Button plip remote control with central locking
• Lidded glove box and removable ashtray
• Cruise Control and Speed Limiter
• Automatic door locking
• Trip computer
• Twin sliding side doors are standard on L2 versions

Colours

The new Partner is available in six exterior body colours:
Solid colours:
• Bianca White
• Ardent Red
• Onyx Black
Metallic colours (Extra cost option)
• Aluminium
• Iron Grey
• Kyanos Blue

Peugeot Three Years of Warranty

All Peugeot Partner vans benefit from a Peugeot-Three-Year/100,000km manufacturer’s warranty. A six-year anti-perforation warranty, a three-year paint warranty and three years Peugeot Assistance cover are also provided.

Prices (RRP)

Options

The new Peugeot Partner van is on sale in Australia now.