Peugeot Partner Origin Van Range : THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES

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Does Peugeot's first generation Partner van, now re-badged `Partner Origin', still make commercial sense? Jonathan Crouch decidesâ€¦

Peugeot's parent company PSA has spent millions developing a second generation replacement for its successful Partner van range. The problem is that, to be frank, many potential business customers just won't care. These are people who simply want a reliable, practical and above all affordable commercial runabout. However impressive the MK2 Partner van really is, these people will always be asking for something cheaper. Something perhaps, like the old Partner perhaps.

Which is why Peugeot dealers will still sell you one. Badged `Partner Origin' to differentiate it from its newer stablemate, this line-up is offered in a single baseline specification and is available in two payloads, 600kg and 800kg. Power comes from the single 1.6 litre HDi 75 diesel engine option that most customers choose. Five exterior body colours are available, including a new colour option, Iron Grey. Take a seat inside and things aren't quite as basic as you might expect. The cab is tastefully finished and pleasing aesthetically. There's a digital centre console display brimming with useful information, chunky buttons and attractive circular vents dotted around the place. You'll find better quality plastics and a more upmarket feel in some rivals but the Partner's success has been built on keeping it simple and this interior isn't going to offend anyone. There's a fair bit of equipment too, with variable power steering, a height-adjustable steering column and driver's airbag throughout. There's plenty of grey plastic evident of course but it's quite tastefully done. There's a fair amount of storage space too, made up of shelves, cubby-holes and a decent sized glovebox, so users should be able to find a home for all the paraphernalia of their working day. As with most small vans, the performance isn't going to set many pulses racing, unless you've just made the step-up from a horse and cart. The turning circle is tight, the gearchange punchy and the steering always imparts a feeling of control while remaining light enough so as not to overwork the driver. The 75bhp 1.6-litre HDi common-rail diesel is impressively refined and makes a good long distance companion but is equally adept in the cut and thrust of urban motoring where the powerful torque output pays dividends. This unit yields 175Nm at 1,750rpm, so there's plenty of pulling power and you don't have to row it along in urban motoring with the gearlever.

"Get the right deal and you might end up feeling that the Origin of the species is just what you're looking forâ€¦."

You wouldn't know it unless you make a point of familiarising yourself with the underside of commercial vehicles, but this Partner Origin has a reasonably advanced suspension set-up too. Independent McPherson struts take care of the front, along with an anti-roll bar, while trailing arms with transverse torsion bars prop up the load bay at the back. Overall, if you're prepared to sacrifice the extra carrying capacity of the MK2 Peugeot Partner, with its higher quality feel, greater payload and wider engine range, for a lower price, then this Partner Origin may well still make commercial sense. Citroen also offers old and new versions of this same design badged `Berlingo First' (old) and `Berlingo' (new). In other words, it's an approach which seems to work. Get the right deal and you might end up feeling that the Origin of the species is just what you're looking for.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Peugeot Partner Origin ENGINE: 1.6HDi (75bhp), DIMENSIONS: Length/Width/Height mm 4108/1719/1802 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1,670kg