Peugeot, Citroen reveal new vans

PSA Peugeot and Citroen have revealed their all-new rivals for mid-size commercial vans like the Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit, Hyundai iLoad, Mercedes-Benz Vito, Renault Trafic, Toyota HiAce and Volkswagen Transporter.

Both the Citroen Jumpy, which was previously badged as the Dispatch in UK and Australia, and the Peugeot Expert, which has also been discontinued here, are "being evaluated for Australian introduction", says local importer Sime Darby.

Due on sale in Europe later this year, both new vans are based on a new platform that PSA says "benefits from all the advantages of the modular EMP2 platform" which underpins the latest Peugeot 308, including quality, weight reduction and efficiency.

Fuel consumption is as low as 5.1L/100km (equating to CO2 emissions of 133g/km) and PSA claims an average of 5.4L/100km and 140g/km makes both vans the most efficient in class.

This is thanks to Stop&Start tech and a new range of Euro 6 BlueHDi 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesel engines, which range in output from 72kW/210Nm to 135kW/400Nm and come with service intervals of 40,000km or two years.

They will be matched to five- and six-speed manual transmissions, plus the BlueHDi 180's EAT6 transmission and the BlueHDi 95's ETG6 electronic gearbox, which are said to free up extra legroom for the middle passenger.

PSA says the new powertrains, more aerodynamic vehicle body and lighter mass (up to 150kg less than the models they replace and between 100 and 300kg "lighter than other vehicles in the segment with the same power") deliver the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the segment.

PSA claims the Partner and Jumpy will be the first vans in their class to bring features such as hands-free sliding side doors, Moduwork cabin modularity, Active Safety Brake automatic emergency braking, a reversing camera with VisioPark 180-degree overhead rear view and zoom, Driver Attention Alert, auto high-beam and voice-controlled connected 3D navigation with real-time traffic info.

Both vans can carry up to 1400kg, offer up to 6.6 cubic-metres of load volume and tow up to 2500kg. They will be available in three lengths ranging from 4.6 to 5.3 metres, while a relatively low roof height of 1.9m making them "particularly well suited to urban journeys", says PSA.

PSA also says both vans achieved a maximum five-star crash safety rating in Euro NCAP tests.

In Europe, PSA's new vans will be available in extended-cab form with five or six fixed or fold-up seats, as cab/chassis for specialist conversion, and in Combi people-mover guise with up to nine seats.

The general manager of Peugeot, Citroen and DS Australia, Kai Bruesewitz, said both new French vans are being considered as part of a wider Australian commercial vehicle strategy for PSA, which currently offers only the small Citroen Berlingo.

“Introduction of the next-generation Peugeot Expert and Citroen Dispatch are currently under study with PSA Peugeot Citroen, with these models part of a wider review of the PSA commercial vehicle portfolio in Australia,” said Bruesewitz.

“Both Peugeot and Citroen models bring with them significant level of innovation, specification and safety to the market; and if the business case is strong we believe the all-new light commercial would be a welcome addition to the Australian line-up.”