Peugeot BOXER VAN RANGE
The heavyweight of the
Peugeot light commercial range, the Boxer panel van, is a tasty proposition in its latest guise. Over a distinguished career, it has proven itself as a genuine contender and, more importantly, a peoples champion thanks to consistently impressive performances in the sales rankings.By Steve Walker
Rugged, durable and a good mover, the Boxer should have what it takes to maintain its reign at the top but, when the gloves come off, can it stand toe to toe with the big hitters in its division? Seconds out, round one
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Having got the obligatory Boxing references out of the way in this Boxer roadtest, its straight down to business: It would be easy to dismiss an attempt to analyse the various choices in the large panel van market too closely. To the untrained (or uninterested) eye, the models available seem to be much of a muchness. Each takes on the standard, elongated box shape and appropriately so, given their no-frills, low-cost, load-carrying job description. Any preference that a buyer may have is rendered more academic still by industry alliances such as the
Citroen/
Fiat/
Peugeot one that results in the respective Relay, Ducato and Boxer models being identical to all intents and purposes.
Having said that, there are hugely diverse ranges of derivatives that allow customers to specify the combination of wheelbase and load volume that best suits them. After all, business users need large panel vans and buyers need to make a decision on some basis or another. Were talking commercial vehicles here, models that are often bought in bulk with slight manufacturer to manufacturer differences in price, performance or reliability being multiplied and magnified across whole fleets. The different options, on paper, may have a lot in common, but the variations between them are well worth weighing up, if you want to land the one thats going to be best for your business.
So, before you consign this editorial to the wastepaper basket, lets take a closer look at Peugeots large panel van.
"The cabin is nicely appointed and equipment levels are also on a par with the best panel vans in the price bracket."
Anyone familiar with the old Boxer will notice a few important changes in the new model but its, arguably, the alterations that you wont see that make the most difference. There is what Peugeot call an improved quality and robustness about the van. This manifests itself in a number of ways, including additional coats of paint on vulnerable areas and an improved interior. The wiring system has been revised to allow the inclusion of additional electrical systems, and to make those that there are more reliable.
Furthermore, the engine line-up is now comprised of four powerplants. There is a quartet of basic models to decide between, the 250, 290, 330 and 350. Helpfully, these numbers refer to the gross vehicle weights (2.5, 2.
9, 3.3 and 3.5 ton) and not to the ages of the Peugeot chairmans prize-winning poodles, or some other equally arbitrary and incomprehensible scale. The result is that, if you know which one youve got, you can automatically also work out how much you can safely put in it - and visa versa.
No panel van range is straightforward and with short, medium, long and extra-long wheelbases, standard, high and extra-high roofs (as well as the chassis cab), all available in various arrangements, youll need to replace your headguard with a thinking cap to decipher this Boxers combinations. Boxer buyers can choose to see petrol or diesel powered machinery when they lift their bonnets. The 2.0-litre petrol engine gives 110bhp at 5,000rpm and is only available in the 290 version.
Most buyers are expected to go for one of the three HDi common rail diesel engines though. These come in 2.0, 2.2 and powerful 2.
8-litre forms, with the larger of the three dishing out a respectable 127bhp at 3,600rpm. You should get decent economy too from these advanced diesel units. The actual driving experience provided by the Boxer has benefited from additional sound proofing around the vehicle. Various insulating features have been incorporated to reduce vibration and absorb the noise that could have made day to day use a real headache.
The seats are adjustable, and so is the steering column apparently a first in commercial vehicles of this type. There are handy armrests and the cabins light, airy feel is complemented by some brighter than usual trim options. Our test vehicle came equipped with fetching royal blue seats - a welcome change from the usual patterned grey designs that frequent other van offerings. Standard equipment is generous, with electric windows, electric and heated door mirrors, central locking and a radio/CD player welcome additions to all models except the budget 250 SWB.
The gear lever is dashboard-mounted and connected to a 5-speed gearbox. The shift is easy, although it represents no great improvement over floor-mounted set-ups found in other panel vans, but the main advantage of the sticks location comes through the emptied floor space. This allows for excellent cross-cabin access. The absence of anything cluttering up the floor also provides extra storage options and makes sweeping-up in the Boxer far less hassle.
The difficulty, when contemplating the purchase of a Peugeot Boxer, is justifying its selection above the other models in the marketplace. Unless you insist on keeping up appearances, theres not a lot to split the field looks-wise with Fords Transit probably the most distinctive entry in a bland segment. The Boxer, along with its Ducato and Relay siblings, has a great range of engines with the HDi diesels particularly impressive. The cabin is nicely appointed and equipment levels are also on a par with the best panel vans in the price bracket.
Low sills at the side and rear help to facilitate simple access to the load area. The Boxer is undoubtedly a capable vehicle but it may well come down to the kind of special deal that you can extract from your local dealership to swing the pendulum in its favour.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Peugeot Boxer Van ENGINES: 2.0 petrol/2.0HDi/2.2HDi/2.
8Hdi DIMENSIONS: length/height 4749mm/2900mm (250 SWB high roof) GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHTS: DIMENSIONS: length/height 4749mm/2900mm (250 SWB high roof)
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