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Ken Gratton7 Oct 2008
REVIEW

Peugeot Expert SWB and LWB van

In a growing market segment, everyone wants a piece of the pie... Can Peugeot's new Expert van carve itself a slice?


Local Launch
Yuroke, Vic


What we liked
>> Ease of loading
>> Front-wheel-drive packaging benefits
>> Low fuel consumption, even for a diesel


Not so much
>> 88kW model lacks power
>> Transmission shift quality nothing to write home about
>> Stability control is an option



Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0


About our ratings


OVERVIEW
Peugeot is unknown in Australia as a marketer of commercial vehicles, but that's about to change, with the introduction of two new LCVs. Both vehicles are badged-engineered versions of vehicles already on sale in Australia, sold under different marques. The Partner is Peugeot's version of the Citroen Berlingo and the Expert, reviewed here is a vehicle shared with Citroen (the Dispatch) and Fiat (Scudo).


Both the Expert's badge-engineered rivals have been available locally since April (more here for Citroen Dispatch and here for the Fiat Scudo). Price and market positioning separate the Expert and the Dispatch, with the Citroen priced lower, but both vehicles offer short and long-wheelbase models powered by an 88kW engine and driving through a six-speed manual box to the front wheels.


The Fiat Scudo is only sold in one wheelbase.


Citroen has already announced through local distributor, Ateco Automotive, that the Dispatch will be available with a 100kW LWB version later this year, but Peugeot is already in a position to offer this variant in the Expert range, it being introduced concurrently with the SWB variants.


Peugeot expects to sell 140 units of the Expert for the balance of 2008, but the company is expecting to double that figure in 2009, with a forecast of 300 units for the Expert.


PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The short-wheelbase Expert powered by the 88kW diesel engine starts the ball rolling at the entry-level, priced at $36,990. For $1500 more, buyers can opt for the long-wheelbase Expert with the same engine ($38,490) and the 100kW long-wheelbase model tops the range for a further $3100 ($41,590).


Peugeot offers the Expert with an extensive range of options and accessories, key among which are metallic paint for $790, stability control for $450 and a front passenger airbag for $360.


Standard features for the whole Expert range comprise: driver's airbag, ABS/EBD, Brake Assist, an alarm system, separate (remote central) locking for cabin and cargo area, height and reach adjustment for the steering column, electric mirrors/windows (folding mirrors with fisheye lower sections), reverse-parking assist, CD audio system, air conditioning, cruise control with speed-limiter, rear air suspension and trip computer.



MECHANICAL

All variants of the Expert are powered by 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engines. Peak power for both engine outputs (88kW and 100kW) occurs at the same speed, 4000rpm. Similarly, both the 'detuned' 88kW powerplant and the 100kW engine produce torque at the same speed of 2000rpm, the 88kW engine developing 300Nm and the 100kW 'Professional' LWB variant generating 320Nm.


The higher output engine comes with a diesel particulate filter which contributes to the extra power and torque over the 88kW engine. Peugeot quotes ADR81/01 fuel consumption figures, (in combined-cycle testing) of 7.2L/100km for the SWB Expert and 7.4 for the LWB variants.


Torque is transferred to the front wheels via a six-speed manual box, for all models. Ride and handling are duties fall to the MacPherson strut-type system at the front and what Peugeot calls a semi-deformable axle with an offset Panhard rod handle ride at the rear.


The Expert's turning circle is moderately larger for the LWB variants (12.59m versus 12.18m for the SWB Expert).



PACKAGING

Peugeot claims slightly better cargo volume for the Expert Professional than Mercedes-Benz does for the Vito Compact vans. The difference is five cubic metres for the Peugeot versus 4.65 for the Vito.


Although the load area in the Expert looks shorter than the Vito's, even in LWB form, it's wider and higher, which means potentially it will be useful more often in accommodating bulky loads.


Unlike the Vito Compact, the Expert doesn't have a spare tyre occupying room in the cargo area. This is a function of the lack of drivetrain components under the floor of the front-wheel drive Expert, allowing the Peugeot's spare to fit under the floor. To the credit of the local MB arm, the product planners stipulated a full-size spare for the Vito, since that's what the customer wants.


Another advantage to the front-wheel drive configuration for the Peugeot is the low-loading dimension at the rear (540mm or 500mm for the 100kW model) and Peugeot tell us that the Expert will load a standard (European) pallet of 1.2x0.8m dimensions.


For the driver and passengers, the Expert's seating is comfortable -- and surprisingly so for an LCV. There were two cupholders, one on either side of the cabin, and each appeared robust and workmanlike.


The deep storage bin in the centre console looks cavernous and would appear capable of handling clipboards, street directories, etc.


There was an auxiliary power outlet inside the rear barn doors, each of which was provided with its own wiper to keep the glass clear on the outside.


SAFETY
We keep coming back to the Mercedes Vito, but that is the benchmark for safety in this segment. The Peugeot offers a price advantage over the Vito, but the Expert is not equipped as standard with stability control -- although that feature is available as an option.


Redemption for the Expert comes in the form of standard ABS and EBD. We do also like the fish-eye lower mirrors in the Peugeot, something that the Vito doesn't offer.


Peugeot fits an upright 'ladder' frame behind the driver's seat to ensure any large item carried in the cargo section doesn't leave its mark on the driver in the event of a collision. Bonus points for that.


COMPETITORS
The Peugeot is up against the technically similar (near identical, in fact) Fiat Scudo and Citroen Dispatch. But leaving that comparison aside, look at the Vito. The Mercedes is (marginally) more expensive and slightly less practical than the Expert, but it's a better drive, more refined and its resale will likely be better until (or even, unless) the Expert proves itself in the market.


As mentioned, the Peugeot does offer some advantages over the Mercedes -- not least of which is its packaging -- but some buyers will look at the relative pricing and take the view that the Mercedes is ultimately worth the extra money, but largely for intangibles, it must be said.


ON THE ROAD
The Expert provides a relatively car-like drive, but frankly, it's more 'commercial' than the Mercedes-Benz Vito, which we've driven in its recently upgraded form (more here 2908183). As an example of this, we found the Peugeot's steering to be light enough, but a bit vague. By comparison, the Vito is a hard act to follow for those drivers who like their commercial vehicles to be like their passenger vehicles.


Performance in the Expert seemed lacking and that may have been an issue with the gearing as much as the engine's torque, but whatever the case, there was a shortage of locomotion -- particularly on hills -- necessitating a down-change.


And when you did change down a gear, the gearshift was very sloppy and inconsistent. The fifth/sixth gear gates felt further from the third/fourth gears than that plane was from first/second.


Overall, the driving position and such things as switchgear placement and legibility of instruments were quite good, but NVH was not as damped-down as in the Vito.


So there are pros and cons where the purchasing decision is concerned. Whether it's important to you that your commercial vehicle provide some driving satisfaction is something we cannot foretell and, given most vehicle acquisitions in this demographic are decided by those who don't actually drive the vehicles, there's a lot to be said for the Peugeot.


If there's one aspect of buying the Peugeot that will concern prospective owners, it's likely to be the Expert's resale. This is an untested vehicle in this market and Peugeot is not known for selling commercial vehicles -- but then you might have said the same about Citroen 10 years ago.



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Written byKen Gratton
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