|
The Peugeot Bipper
is a new compact light commercial vehicle aimed at strengthening
Peugeot’s rejuvenated range of commercial vehicles.
This innovative
vehicle completes the renewal of the Peugeot range which started with
the launch in the UK of the new Boxer in October 2006.
The Bipper is
designed for professionals looking for a vehicle which is easy to drive
and can be parked easily. Thanks to the asymmetric hinged rear doors and
sliding side doors, the Bipper is also very easy to load and unload,
even in the narrowest of spaces.
It is available
with a choice of two engines. A 1.4 litre petrol engine developing power
of 75 bhp or a 1.4 litre HDi diesel engine developing 68 bhp and
emitting only 119 g of CO2 per km. The HDi diesel engine is
also available with an optional electronically controlled manual
gearbox, the first time this type of gearbox has been available on a
Peugeot light commercial vehicle and this offers greater convenience to
drivers using the vehicle in busy urban areas.
For professionals
who spend many hours in their van, this gearbox will be a huge benefit
to them in terms of reduced driving fatigue and reduced fuel consumption
and emissions.
Inside, the
cube-like load area has been designed to offer a generous usable space.
The effective floor load length is 1.52 m, with a maximum interior
height of 1.18 m. The width between the wheel arches is 1.05 m, giving a
total usable volume of 2.5 m3 .
Thanks to an
innovative folding multifunction passenger seat, it is possible to
increase the load capacity even further by using the space normally
occupied by the seat. This allows long objects to be carried as far
forward as the fascia panel; the maximum effective floor load length is
then increased by nearly a metre, to 2.49 m. The effective load volume
in this configuration is now 2.80 m3 .
With all this
available space, the Bipper can transport a payload of up to 610 kg.
Access to the carried load is made easy by means of two asymmetric
hinged rear doors (60/40) which ensure all-round access to the rear load
space, both heightwise and widthwise. The two doors can open to an angle
of 90° or even 180° if required, thanks to an innovative check strap
design. IfThe load sill height, thanks to the optimised design of the
rear doors and rear bumper, is just 527 mm.
The Bipper range
will be based around a single trim level to which it will be possible to
add options and/or equipment packs.
An important
factor when choosing a commercial vehicle is the running costs. The
Bipper has been designed to keep these costs to a minimum.
It has extended
service intervals requiring a service only every 20,000 miles or 2
years, regardless of engine type. To reduce costs and downtime further,
the oil change and replacement of certain components such as the air
filter, diesel filter, pollen filter and brake pads are all scheduled to
coincide with the service interval. All of the above is based,
naturally, on normal use of the vehicle. The timing belt is replaced
every 140,000 miles or 10 years on the diesel engine, and 90,000 miles
or 10 years on the petrol version.
In line with its
modern stylish design the Peugeot Bipper will be available in 10
exterior body colours. Details of pricing
and UK specification will be announced nearer the launch date in May
2008.
|
