PEUGEOT BACK IN UTE MARKET?
As Mercedes-Benz prepares to leave the booming global utility sector having failed to find a foothold for its luxury offerings, Peugeot is preparing to enter it – though apparently not in Europe, here or even Australia – with a range of rather more prosaic wellside and cab/ chassis single and double-cab models developed as part of a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Changan.
Announcing the imminent launch of the new Landtrek line, the French company noted that what it (quaintly) called the ‘one ton pick-up market is “constantly evolving but represents more than 2.4 million annual sales,” too many, in other words, to ignore.
Fundamental needs to be competitive in the segment, the company reckoned, were:
• A 3.5 t towing capacity.
• Versatility.
• Different body shapes.
• Real off-road and overtaking capabilities. • Unbeatable robustness and ease of
repair.
To this end the new Landtrek will be available with:
• Both petrol and diesel engines.
• In cab/chassis as well as single cab and
double cab/wellside styles.
• In both workhorse and multipurpose
versions.
• With a full range of accessories to meet the needs of both professional and family activities.
Six airbags are standard as is a suite of esp electronics which includes:
• Hill descent control.
• ASR (enhanced traction) for both 4x2
and 4x4 versions.
• Trailer swing control.
• A lane departure warning function.
Engine and transmission choice is:
• A 1.9 litre/16-valve euro4-compliant 110kw/350nm turbo-diesel and six-speed getrag manual gearbox.
• A turbocharged 2.4 litre 155kw/320nm petrol powerplant matched either to a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox or six-speed automatic gearbox with sequential, Sport or Eco modes.
Both 4x2 and 4x4 versions will be offered, with the 4x4 coming complete with a eLocker LSD.
Before deployment in other countries, the first launches will be in Latin America and subSaharan Africa. And though there is no word yet on availability in Australia or NZ Peugeot stated in its new model press release that, “Europe is not expected to be included in the scope of the marketing.”