Peugeot PARTNER COMBI QUIKSILVER
Van-Based MPVs Are The Latest Hot Market Sector But That Doesnt Mean Theyre A Trendy Choice.
Peugeot Is Attempting To Change All That With Its Partner Combi Quiksilver. Jonathan Crouch Reports
Theres an air of resignation about van-based MPVs thats faintly depressing. Its almost as if the buyers are broadcasting a sorry message of woe. "My offspring are financially crippling me. Thats the only reason why Im behind the wheel of this extravagantly glazed bread van. Please. Finish me off.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
"
Peugeot maintain that it really doesnt have to be this way, and their Partner Combi aims to put a bit of spirit back into the sector.
Like most Peugeots, this one is quite fun to drive. The problem is that youd never know it. In order to put that right and give their peoples van a trendy appeal that its design stablemate (Citroens Berlingo Multispace) lacks, Peugeot included an Escapade derivative in the line-up when the latest range was launched. For £800 more, buyers bought into a more rugged look, with raised suspension, fog lights, special lamp grilles and beefy wheel arch mouldings, It hasnt really worked.
Potential customers of this kind of product dont like their little MPVs to look like chunky 4x4s. Peugeot could have deduced that from the failure of Renaults ill-fated Scenic RX-4. Nor did Partner Combi buyers want to fork out another £800 for extras that added little to their everyday travelling comfort. Hence the Partner Quiksilver featured here, take-two in Peugeots attempts to create a trendy peoples van.
And this one might even work. Initially, this variant was offered with various engines but now you can only get it with the superior 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine that most buyers choose. The cost is £11,800.
"The Quiksilver comes with a really useful benefit over its standard counterpart, namely a clever multi-purpose roof "
Unlike the Escapade, the Quiksilver comes with a really useful benefit over its standard counterpart, namely a clever multi-purpose roof. This has five glass panels which provide a light, spacious feel. Fitted to the roof exterior are five raised non-slip strips and two roof bars so you can easily carry sporting equipment (bring on the surfboards) or (more likely) extra luggage. Otherwise, its all pretty standard stuff.
Based on the Partner van, the Combis cuboid design liberates an awful lot of fresh air inside, helped by a flat floor and two twin sliding rear doors. Fold the rear seats down and youve got a great venue for kids birthday parties that will clean up easily and prevent the usual chicken nugget in video recorder moment. Stowage areas under the floor allow for valuables to be kept out of sight when parked up a perennial problem with such a vehicle and the sliding doors certainly come into their own in tight parking spaces when its all too easy to clang the next car when loading shopping, children or other consumer durables. That space allows the Partner Combi to double up effectively as a rugged workhorse and part time MPV or vice versa.
As would be expected of something that appears to boast a greater glazed area than the Louvre Pyramid, the Combi offers excellent all-round visibility and the glazed hatchback means you wont need a Know Your Enemy picture of a concrete bollard to be taped to the rear view mirror. Power steering makes the Peugeot easy to manoeuvre at low speeds and kids can be firmly bolted into Isofix mountings. In the unlikely event that you owned an original Partner Combi, youll find the latest version usefully improved. The suspension, brakes and steering have been fundamentally altered to give a more car-like ride and handling package and the interior has also been smartened up.
A high quality fascia panel reflects the styling of current Peugeot cars and storage space has been increased. As well as having a passenger airbag that can be deactivated by a switch, the Partner Combi also has a lower glove box below the airbag and a CD/cassette holder on the central console. Three bottle holders and a 12v accessory power point underline the cars practicality. The dashboard has been redesigned for a more contemporary look and has been styled to echo Peugeots passenger car design cues.
Storage space has been increased too with a huge array of bins and cubbies available front and rear. A storage area for CDs and cassettes is located on the central console and there are no fewer than three bottle holders. The dash now features a rev counter and a
BMW-style distance-to-next-service indicator, whilst theres a revised steering wheel with a radio stalk on the steering column. The steering itself is power assisted right across the range and multiplex wiring means that sophisticated options like cruise control are offered.
Although this multiplex system has been offered on the Partner Combi since June 2000, the latest car features a more intelligent Built In Systems Interface which increases the number of functions to include a vehicle location device which operates from the key fob. One plip in a crowded car park and the hazard lights will activate for ten seconds. No more pushing a shopping trolley up and down rows of parked cars after youve forgotten which level you parked on! Other functions are also standard. The radio can now be played with the ignition switched off and the volume level is linked to the vehicle speed.
For added security, the doors can automatically lock when you get out. In Quiksilver guise, the Partner probably makes more sense than any other model in this particular line-up, being practical with a subtle dose of flair. But is it fun? That would probably depend on your definition. Hip to be square? In this case, why not.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Peugeot Partner Quiksilver 2.0 HDi
PRICE: £11,800 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 5
CO2 EMISSIONS: 152g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 97mph / 0-60mph 13.4s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 49mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver airbag /
seat belt pretensioners
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4110/1720/1800mm
<< Back to Peugeot car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Peugeot Cars For Sale UK
