2019 Peugeot Partner revealed – borrows partial platform from passenger car range
The 2019 Peugeot Partner (Citroen Berlingo) has been revealed with the news that it’ll be part-built off the brand’s EMP2 platform which also sits under the 308 and 3008 passenger vehicles.
THE ALL-NEW 2019 Peugeot Partner (Citroen Berlingo) is still under study for Australia but the headline grabber is that the light commercial will be part-built off the French car maker’s modular platform (EMP2). This platform sits under the likes of the 308, 3008 and 5008 showing that it’s a very versatile platform.
The front end of the new Partner/Berlingo will make use of the EMP2 platform which will be married to the rear end of the current vehicle allowing for the load carrying but improved front-end performance…at least that’s what you would imagine.
“The platform at the front improves handling with electric power steering and a turning circle ideal for manoeuvres. It also optimises vehicle mass and makes possible the installation of the latest ADAS,” PSA said in a statement.
Twin under the skin with the Citroen Berlingo, parent company PSA claims the new platform allows for better handling, more comfort and more security. With safety standards becoming stricter across commercial vehicles, the Peugeot and Citroen variants will offer 20 driver assistance system (including an overload sensor and surround rear vision system) and “four connectivity technologies (including wireless charging) together with latest-generation engines including the new BlueHDi 1.5 diesel, the PureTech 1.2 petrol and the EAT8 automatic gearbox”. It’s expected that both variants will launch in late 2018.
According to Citroen, it will offer two variants an M version measuring 4.40 m long with a 2.78 m wheelbase and an XL version measuring 4.75 m long with a 2.97 m wheelbase. All variants can be optioned with none, one or two sliding doors. At the rear, the van is equipped as standard with 60/40 panel rear doors, the smaller door on the right, opening out to 180-degrees.
The load volume is a minimum of 3.3 m3 as standard to 4.4 m3 in XL and a payload from 650 – 1000kg.
In the front of the cabin there’s an impressive 113 litres of storage, including a drawer under the seat, an upper glove box, a lower glove box, an overhead storage unit, various small storage surfaces, large door bins and cup holders. The cabin also houses two USB sockets, two 12V sockets and one 220V socket as well as wireless charging. The Peugeot Partner version will run Peugeot’s i-cockpit.
Jean-Philippe Imparto, Peugeot Brand CEO said, “New Peugeot Partner renews a 20-year history of ruggedness and quality as confirmed by professional users. Following our recent launch successes, our SUV offensive with Peugeot 2008, 3008 and 5008 and following the lead of New Peugeot Rifter, we had to have the same ambition for our LCV vehicle design – i.e. disrupt the market with innovative and unprecedented equipment! This is why the iconic Peugeot i-Cockpit, so loved by our clients, is fitted as standard on Peugeot Partner. This high-end, rewarding vehicle provides the user with a veritable mix of practicality and pleasure.”
