For years, car manufacturers have been releasing people carriers...
based on their vans. And why wouldn't they,
because they're spacious and you can fit a lot of people in it. Handy if you've got a big family,
or if you've got a football team to carry around. Peugeot is one of those manufacturers,
think of the previous Partner Tepee, which was based on the Partner.
And now, a new Partner has been released, and based on that car,
is this new Peugeot Rifter as the people carrier is now named.
With this, Peugeot has answered the demand for SUV's,
crossovers and cars with a high entry, because they've raised it a little.
It's also been fitted with the inevitable plastic features on the sides, which should make it look a tad more robust.
Also, the nose has been shortened. With this,
Peugeot tries to appeal to active people who like nature trips, or that's what they're saying at the marketing department.
Of course in reality, it's the senior citizens who like that high entry the most.
Peugeot claims it doesn't drive like a van, like a lot of other cars in this segment do,
so we're going to find out. But first of all,
the perk which starts it all; the space. Let's start with that shall we?
When it comes to litres, you'll immediately know there's no normal car which'll win from this.
Behind the rear seat, I've got 1.355 litres of luggage space.
If I fold down the rear seats, it's 3.500 litres. 3.500 litres!
That's with the front seat folded down as well. If you get the LWB-version,
which exists as well, even offers you 4.000 litres.
Eat your heart out, Skoda Superb.
Of course, you've got a huge bootlid, which isn't handy if there were to be a wall here.
That's why you can open the rear windshield as well, so you can put stuff on the shelf or in the boot.
If we move to the rear seat, we've got three separate seats instead of one big seat.
That way, there's proper seating for three. That might compromise the comfort a little,
but there's lots of space. When it comes to headroom...
What's left to say about that, it's gigantic. Legroom is good as well,
and it's nice and spacious back here. You can sit next to each other,
depending how wide the person next to you is. We've got these little things as well,
think of this small little table, independant airconditioning in the back, and a little curtain for the sun.
If you get the seven seat version, with a third seating row,
you can move these seats, but because this is only a five-seater, they're set.
We can even discuss space in the drivers seat, because there's compartments everywhere.
Just imagining going on a vacation with your family. You can literally fit your arm in the middle console,
that's how spacious it is. You can fit bottles in the doors,
there's a compartment here, one here, one there, back here's one as well...
Above me there's a big compartment, handy for couriers with their manifests and such...
You've really got space everywhere in this car. The glove compartment is huge as well,
and you haven't even set off yet. So if you're planning a family vacation,
look no further. This is your car.
What you'll notice as well, is that Peugeot has tried to get rid of the van-feeling.
In a lot of rivals, especially in the older ones,
you'll know you're in a van which has some extra seats in the back. You do have the space, but you don't have the comfort of a normal car.
There's an actual difference.
In this Rifter however, it's not too bad.
Peugeot has fitted the Rifter with their i-Cockpit, so you have a nice, smooth dashboard.
There's a nice and high middle console, instead of a drawer with a lorry gearstick.
It all looks very good. The automatic gearbox is up there as well.
The seats feel very good as well, even though they're a little bit high.
On the other hand, that's inherent to the concept of the Rifter,
which has been raised a little.
Even though the car is aimed at comfort, it isn't afraid of corners.
It stays nice and level, and the nose reacts to the steering wheel...
without it giving you the feeling it's massive. Like it's a lorry, which has to use low-gearing all the time.
It feels similar to driving a crossover really.
Especially with this short version, it's nice there isn't a whole lot of car behind you.
It's not like you're a bus driver, but just a regular driver.
When it comes to the drivetrain, you can choose between three diesels and a petrol engine...
with the latter producing 110 horsepower. I'm driving the 1.6-litre diesel however,
which produces 130 horsepower. It's fitted with Peugeot's new 8-speed automatic gearbox,
and they needed a new gearbox. First, they had a semi-automatic gearbox,
which was followed by the decent 6-speed automatic gearbox, but with this 8-speed gearbox,
Peugeot gets to a whole new level, because it'll be fitted across Peugeot's range.
It's a very good gearbox.
The diesel engine itself is also very decent. There's lots of torque available in lower revs,
which is very pleasant, especially for a car like this.
You can hear it's a diesel, but it's not annoying or anything.
The French are always able to hide the sounds very well.
If you've listened to my story, you could say that you'd be crazy if you bought a big station wagon...
If you buy one of these for your family, you'd hit the jackpot.
You'd be right when it comes to space, but when it comes to refinement and driving the car itself...
You'll never find driving pleasure in a car like this. If you like driving in the slightest way,
this won't be a car which makes you happy. That has nothing to do with the quietness,
the comfort and clarity in the dashboard, which it all has.
That's the reason there's a difference between normal cars and vans.
I like the fact that Peugeot has tried to add 'lifestyle'...
to this segment with the new Rifter. Usually, cars like this are dreary and ugly,
and Peugeot has taken a whole different turn with this car. It could be possible that it fits people who are looking for space,
whilst taking it easy at the same time.