Howdy, Partner

Peugeot's updated Partner mini-van has gone public in Europe with refreshed styling and a number of new features including an optional Active City Brake system to avoid or minimise the effects of low-speed crashes.

The company is also introducing a Euro 6-compliant engine and TomTom semi-integrated sat-nav across the range.

For 2015, the Partner's powertrain line-up comprises six 1.6-litre engine-gearbox combinations including petrol and diesel offerings with outputs varying from 56kW To 76kW and an average 15 per cent across-the-board improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

In either manual or automated transmission form, the 1.6-litre BlueHDI 100 S&S version is claimed to discharge the lowest emissions in its segment, boasting a CO2 figure of 108g/km.

The range will also include a 50kW Electric (EV) version, with a range potential of 175km and an eight-year, 60,000 miles (97,000km) warranty on the battery.

The new-look Partner comes in L1, L2 and L3 forms and is available in two lengths (4.38 metres and 4.63 metres), as well as in crew-cab and "floor cab" forms enabling various styles of customised load area configurations.

Depending on model, load volume spans from 3.3 cubic metres to 4.1 cubic metres and the payload from 625kg to 850kg. Peugeot says the short L1 version is capable of carrying two 1.2-metre by 0.8-metre Euro pallets.

The cabin offers three-passenger front-row accommodation and provides the driver with a two-way adjustable steering wheel.

Standard safety equipment in the Partner includes ABS, emergency braking assistance, ESP with traction control, Hill Start Assist and tyre under-inflation detection using a pressure sensor on each wheel.

The new Active City Brake system will be available as an option from base S level upwards, and is similar to those being adopted widely in passenger cars and is designed to operate at speeds up to 32km/h.

Cruise control and a speed-limiter will now be standard from SE L2 upwards while rear parking sensors (standard in L3 Professional form) will be optional, along with front parking sensors and a newly-available reversing camera. 

The cab also gets a new telematic system with a 7.0-inch colour screen including Bluetooth, USB port, auxiliary jack socket and voice recognition that is standard on L3 professional and optional on L2 SE. TomTom is standard in L3 Professional models.

The new-look Partner is based on the third-generation model and basically comprises a redesigned front-end with new headlights and a corporate Peugeot face that connects it visually with the rest of the French car-maker's model range.

In Australia, L2 manual versions of the Peugeot Partner remain available but the model was effectively discontinued last year.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia says it is currently reviewing the business case to bring the facelifted Partner here, but "there's no timeline".