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29th May 2008, Page 14
29th May 2008
Page 14
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Page 14, 29th May 2008 — Howdy Partner
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An improved ride, plenty of comfort and minimal road noise. Three key elements of Peugeot's new Partner. Van drivers' lives are looking more rosy.

Words Colin Barnett IT SEEMS MUCH longer ago than January since the first revelations about the latest Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner at the factory in Vigo, Spain, surfaced, hut now we've had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a new model.

The countryside north of Paris was the venue for driving launches of both brands, but, unfortunately, a train jam on the underground to Heathrow's Terminal 5 meant that scribe could only watch as the flight to the Citroen event departed without him.

On the other hand, the trip to the Peugeot event was by road and tunnel. so, at least, we made one of them.., and it was well worth the trip.

It seems that the trend for larger vans is continuing unabated. From the full Sevel partnership, we've seen the dimension creep of the Dispatch/ Expert/Scudo and the Partner/Berlingo follow suit, leaving the space soon to occupied by the Nemo/Bipper/Fiorino.

Greater dimensions

Compared with the older model, which continues to provide the entry level as the Partner Origin and Berlingo First, the new van is 240mm longer, 90mm wider and 20mm taller, but its proportions give it a wider-looking stance, especially front-on or studying it from the rear. Well, that's the Li version. but new to the range is a longer L2, which comes with an extra 250mm of rear overhang.

These dimensions give load volumes of 3.3m and 3.7m3, up from 3.0m3 in the Origin, while load lengths are 1,800mm and 2.005mm, from 1.700mm. The Multi-Flex passenger seat option adds another 1,200mm length. while the return of the optional -girafon" rear roof hatch caters for really long items.

There's a full set of bulkhead and door configurations for the load space, together with six tie-down rings and a selective door locking facility. The unique platform cab will return to the market in December, ready for the coachbuilders to do their thing.

Drivelines are all 1.6-litre units with five-speed transmissions. They consist of 90hp petrol and diesels, and a 75hp diesel. with 12,500-mile servicing intervals on the diesel. The old 600kg or 800kg net payloads have been increased to 625kg or 850kg for the Li and 750kg for the L2. Inside, the dash has a fresh new look, with as much storage provision as pretty well any driver could wish for, including a lidded glove box beyond the instrument panel, and a large cubby box between the standard single seats.

For the first time in this sector, there's also the possibility of three front seats, courtesy of the Multi-Flex option. This dual-passenger scat offers a variety of configurations, including a lengthened load bed and an office desk.

But, having driven both versions, the Multi-Flex does make the cockpit a bit cramped compared with the spacious two-seat layout — we'd only recommend the option if you really need it.

On the road

We got behind the wheel of both diesel versions, which were laden with half of their maximum payload.

We started with a 90hp van, which had a rather strange combination of glazed rear-side doors and a full steel bulkhead. The greatly improved refinement was immediately obvious, with excellent levels of ride comfort and low cabin noise, The dash-mounted gear shift was smooth and precise, although the flexible engine meant it wasn't needed too often.

Despite the fact that the full passenger version. the Tepee, comes with the possibility of 110hp HDi engines, which aren't available in the commercials, we still reckon few operators will find themselves in need of more grunt.

The second van we drove was a 75hp version. and while that needed a bit more gear-stirring, it was by no means underpowered. The lack of a bulkhead also highlighted the fact that the first van's refinement was no fluke.

If you look at the new Partner and Berlingo as the first in the next generation of high-cube vans, it raises the game to a point where, if it's rivals match it, including the upcoming Renault Kangoo, and new Fiat Doblo and Vauxhall Combo in a year or so, life for the average van driver is about to get a whole lot better. • Fp)" FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT: www.roadtransport.comicm

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People: Colin Barnett
Locations: Paris, Vigo

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