PEUGEOT LANDTREK 1,9D 4ACTION 4X4 /06

Our load-lugging lion continues to impress

A colleague with a heavy right foot used the bakkie for a few days and elevated the fuel consumption from 9,5 to 9,7 litres/100 km. On a recent chilled trip to Pringle bay and back to Cape Town, it dropped to 9,6 litres. There is also a shortterm

consumption readout and this showed the usage was only 8,8 litres/100 km over the weekend. The longterm figure may still come down to around 9,0 litres, but it may take longer than our six-month test period.

I’m sure we all lament the (lack of) driving skills on our roads. Potentially lethal overtaking on blind rises and corners is one, but there are many others. Just a few minutes before writing, a white single cab (it’s often a white single cab) sailed through a red traffic light in front of me. As a gentle, but not often understood, warning of the misdemeanour, we are inclined to use the hooter. The large and imposing Landtrek has the physical presence, but does not quite come to the party with its measly horn. The French and Germans should perhaps consider a visit to the Fiamm factory … Italians know how to make hooters.

The only mishap is a scrape to the left side mirror courtesy of a delivery motorcycle. It nicked the cover off the mirror, but thankfully, the function remains unimpaired, the indicator repeater mounted at the tip included.

The mileage is approaching 4 000 km and we must consider that Peugeot specifies an initial oil change at 5 000 km to eliminate any debris from the engine parts, as it is brand new and still being run in. This is a valid precaution for any new internal combustion engine. We plan to book it in just before, at around 4 500 km. Thereafter, the services are due every 15 000 km.