Strong customer demand from its fresh model line-ups has elevated the Peugeot brand further up the sales league for both its car and van ranges. The eagerly-awaited new Partner, the reigning International Van of the Year 2019, has just been launched on the Irish market. Priced from €16,700 (plus delivery) including VAT (€13,615 ex-VAT), new Partner features the latest Peugeot i-Cockpit infotainment system, the first time this driver interface is included in the Lion brand’s LCV family.
Available also for the first time are two body types, in standard and long wheel base forms with the latter accommodating load lengths of up to 2.16m and providing a load capacity of up to 4.4m3 with two europallets fitting in between the wheel arches. Payloads range from 650 kg to 1,000 kg and to avoid overloading, an in-body weighing system is available as an optional extra at €135.
A wider than ever choice of trim levels are provided from Access, Active, Active Plus, Professional, Professional Plus and Grip trim. A variety of new petrol and diesel engines power the new Partner, with the option of both manual and automatic transmissions. One petrol engine and four diesel engines are on the spec sheet; a 1.2 litre Pure Tech petrol (110 bhp) Stop&Start (S&S) 6-speed (from mid-2019); a 1.6 litre BlueHDi diesel 75 bhp 5-speed; a 1.6 BlueHDi diesel 100 bhp 5-speed; a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 130 bhp 6-speed S&S; and a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 130 bhp automatic 8-speed S&S.
Interestingly, the sixth Grip version engages added tyre traction when needed and is much lighter than an AWD system. Other attractive elements include the surround rear vision cameras, up to 19 safety aids and that two passengers can be seated alongside the driver.
Commenting on the success of Peugeot in Ireland, Des Cannon, Managing Director, Gowan Distributors said; “In 2018, the Peugeot brand enjoyed an excellent sales performance nationwide, with the highest volume sales growth across all brands in Ireland while our van sales maintained a top five position, that success has been replicated early into the New Year, moving up to fourth place in LCV market up 28% year-on-year, commanding almost 9% of van sales in Ireland.”