2021 Peugeot Partner (car review) • Exhaust Notes Australia

DURING this complete pandemic caper we’ve been residing by means of, we’ve seen the rise and fall of many companies, which is an utter disgrace. However past the doom and gloom there may be hope, and hope could be present in diversification, willpower and effectively, Peugeot.

“What the heck are these fools on about…” effectively, allow us to clarify. You see, the modifications in how we dwell have clearly highlighted the necessity for quick and native supply of meals and numerous different items.

It’s a requirement that’s solely going to develop into more and more extra vital for small companies, and there’s no higher software for this than a van. Such a automobile might prevent money and time, and make your life simpler.

Now once we say a van, we aren’t speaking concerning the typical huge, cumbersome, butter field on wheels. As a substitute, we’re speaking a few compact city crawler, one thing just like the 2021 Peugeot Companion.

Just lately up to date to a brand new platform, sharing its underpinnings with such automobiles because the Citroen Berlingo III, in addition to drawing on the goodness discovered within the new Peugeot 3008 and 5008.

The Companion appears nice for a van, and whereas our tester got here within the stereotypical white paint job, you possibly can nonetheless choose from 4 different colors ought to they tickle your fancy. There are additionally three variants you could select from.

These embody the petrol powered 110 Commonplace (with handbook transmission) and 130 Commonplace (with auto transmission), and the diesel engine 92 Lengthy (once more, with a handbook transmission).

Now, these would possibly sound like some form of sandwich from Subway, but it surely’s simply Peugeot’s naming technique, designed to focus on whether or not the physique is of normal size or lengthy. In our case, we’re testing the 130 Commonplace, with automated transmission.

Below the bonnet is a surprisingly good three cylinder engine, with the 1.2-litre turbocharged energy plant producing 96kW of energy and 230Nm of torque. Pair this with an 8-speed automated transmission, and the Companion is prepared for work.

Don’t let the actual fact the Companion has a tiny (award successful) engine put you off both. Measurement doesn’t matter, it’s how you employ it. Extra spectacular although, is the actual fact 95 per cent of most torque is offered between 1750 and 3500rpm.

That makes for distinctive engine response and easy efficiency, even when towing. It’s intelligent engineering, and whereas it’s the little engine that would, it does get a teensy bit thirsty.

Peugeot declare a mixed utilization of 6.3-litres/100km however throughout our time testing, we had been fortunate to see underneath 8.5-litres/100km. Whereas this isn’t a present stopper, you would possibly discover it’s important to refill a bit greater than typical. It would actually depend upon what you might be doing.

On the within, the 2021 Peugeot Companion positive factors the corporate’s up to date i-Cockpit inside structure, designed for all of the various wants of small enterprise customers. The driving place and drivability is as straightforward and acquainted to drive as your common automotive.

All fashions can simply accommodate a full dimension (1200 x 1200mm) Aussie pallet between the rear wheel arches through the rear hinged double doorways, which open to 180 levels for simpler loading. There aren’t loads of vans and even utes that may try this.

The Commonplace physique has an inside load size of 1817mm too, however this may be prolonged to 3090mm with a Multiflex opening bulkhead. Apart from all of that, it additionally contains a class main 1000kg payload. There’s additionally a towing load of as much as 950kg (braked).

As we mentioned earlier, the Companion actually is prepared in your profession or enterprise diversification. We are going to stress that there are three gadgets contained in the cabin that you simply’ll love or hate although, and the primary is the rotary dial gear selector.

Gear picks, ought to they should be performed in a rush, like say from reverse to drive, is likely to be troublesome to attain, at the least till you actually get the grasp of it. The second is the F1-style Peugeot sports activities steering wheel, which contains a flattened prime and backside.

When you’ve pushed the French automotive maker’s street automobiles, you’ll know what we’re speaking about, and like the opposite fashions it builds (together with the spectacular new 2008 which additionally sports activities a 3 cylinder engine), it does have paddle shifters.

Now the final merchandise, is effectively, new and totally different. It’s an progressive rear/facet imaginative and prescient system that makes use of a pair of cameras to apparently dramatically enhance your view to the rear and left facet of the automobile.

Pictures are displayed on a display screen within the place usually occupied by the rear-view mirror, offering for a steady, clear and clutter-free view. The issue is the display screen’s show appears like we’re watching somebody play snake on a Nokia 3310, and it’s worse at evening.

You do nonetheless get conventional facet mirrors although, and we extremely advocate them. The checklist of know-how within the Companion is spectacular although, and contains Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth as commonplace.

On the protection entrance, the Peugeot van cleans up with autonomous emergency braking, digital automated parking brake, adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning, entrance and rear parking sensors, and automated peak adjustable halogen headlights.

We all know that Peugeot vans aren’t for everybody, however when you get previous the French-ness, and spend a bit time behind the wheel, you’ll actually fall in love, and wish to purchase a fleet of them in your new enterprise enterprise.

It’s fairly priced at $31,490 plus on-roads, snug, intelligent and jam full of tech. So should you’re trying to get your self on the market, diversify and reinvent for 2021, the Peugeot Companion is prepared and awaiting your orders.

It’s obtainable in 5 colors, together with White, Onyx Black, Aluminium Gray, Platinum Gray and Ardent Purple.

Our take a look at automobile was provided by Peugeot Australia. To seek out out extra concerning the 2021 Peugeot Companion, contact your native Peugeot supplier.