2018 Peugeot Partner van: specs and on-sale date

This is the all-new Peugeot Partner, the latest in a long line of vans to wear the name. The new version shares much with the recently released Peugeot Rifter MPV, but with a number of changes to make it suitable for commercial use. The van is set to go up against the Volkswagen Caddy and Ford Transit Courier when it goes on sale in the autumn.

The new Peugeot Partner gets a bold new look that brings it in line with the brand’s modern design direction. It’s theme that continues inside, where the focus is on ergonomics and versatile storage – the brand's ‘i-Cockpit’ digital dashboard features, sitting above the trademark small steering wheel, while a central eight-inch touchscreen provides access to DAB radio, sat nav, vehicle settings and Bluetooth connectivity; the infotainment system also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The passenger airbag has been moved to the roof; the resulting upper glovebox is big enough for a laptop and features a charging port.

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The Partner will be available in both standard and long-wheelbase formats, with a ‘crew van’ option for the latter that adds the rear bench seat from the Peugeot Rifter MPV. The standard-wheelbase model is 4.4-metres long, with an effective useable length of 1.81 metres, while the long-wheelbase model measures in at 4.75 metres, with a larger effective usable length of 2.16 metres. Depending on the version chosen, the Partner boasts a load area of 3.3 to 3.83 cubic metres in standard form, or 3.9 to 4.4 cubic metres in long-wheelbase guise.

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On top of the standard finishes, Peugeot is set to offer the Partner in two ‘specific use profiles’: Grip and Asphalt. The former brings higher ground clearance, mud and snow tyres and an ‘Advanced Grip Control’ system for improving off-road performance, as well as increasing the Partner’s payload to 1,000kg and other upgrades. Asphalt puts priority on high-mileage use, with upgraded soundproofing, comfort seats and a host of active safety equipment, including automatic headlights and a ‘surround rear vision’ parking camera. All models get an ‘Overload Alert System’, which can be monitored from the driver’s seat or load area, displaying different coloured lights to indicate if the van is at 90% or maximum load capacity.

A range of petrol and diesel engines will be offered. A 1.2-litre petrol with 128bhp and an automatic gearbox will be available from 2019, with the same engine being offered from launch in 108bhp with a six-speed manual gearbox. Three diesels will be sold: a 128bhp version with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic, a 99bhp unit with a five-speed manual, or a 74bhp version with a five-speed manual. Full performance and economy figures are yet to be announced.