2008 Peugeot Expert FAP Professional Review
September 29, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Peugeot Expert FAP Professional Review & Road Test
Look the goods, and deliver them too!
Model Tested:
- 2008 Peugeot Expert L2 2.0 HDi FAP Professional Six Speed Manual – $41,590 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint $790; Steel Cargo Bulkhead $340 (Fitted); ESP $450; Passenger Airbag $360; Alloy Wheels $695
Comfortable & Easy to Drive, Usable Power, Great Fuel Economy
Rear Visibility, Front Drive Dynamics Evident, Barn Door Hinges
CarAdvice Rating: 
- Matt Brogan
White vans. The mere thought conjures a perception of boredom, necessity, practicality and very little else. They drive like a refrigerator tipped long ways and usually have the style and driving dynamics to match. They’re uncomfortable, noisy and unrefined – hardly worth a mention really. Then how is it the Expert exists? Surely it’s an oxymoron.
Peugeot’s new LCV (light commercial van) range takes all these tragic ideals and completely destroys them. In fact were it not for the simple fact that this is so very obviously a white van, you would almost think that I’d muddled up my reviews. It really is that good, in fact the Expert may just change “white van” thinking for ever. Seriously!
Expert shown in ‘Bianca White’
OK, that’s a big claim, and as someone who has spent a great deal of time in white vans in my formative years I can tell you that seeing this on my schedule list did nothing to thrill me. But after five minutes behind the wheel I was forced to eat my hat. The Expert makes driving a commercial van easy, almost relaxing and very nearly pleasurable.
But before we jump in to all that, let’s kick the tyres and take a quick look around outside. From the front Expert is car-like, very Peugeot-esque (naturally), and the big mouth certainly bears an unmistakable family resemblance. It’s more aerodynamic than is usually the case for a box van and even from the rear remains crisp and taut with all lateral lines following aftward in a uniform fashion.
Once behind the wheel a couple of nice surprises lay in store. For starters it’s quiet, the driving position is actually comfortable, neutral and it remains that way even after hours and hours of sitting there. I dislike the word ergonomic, but that is exactly what this is.
I drove through heavy peak hour traffic (which is 6am ’til 7pm in Melbourne), the demanding warrens of various industrial estates and wiggled down tight inner city lanes for the best part of a week and still jumped out at the end of each day surprised at just how good I felt. What’s more it’s easy to jump in and out of. There are no grab handles, you don’t need them. Just pop the door open and step in. Simple! Courier drivers will love this van.
Surprise number two was just how well the Expert drives. It’s a breeze. The clutch may be a touch heavy for some, but it’s certainly not burdensome. All the controls are light, obvious and fall readily to hand which leaves your focus where it is meant to be – on the road ahead.
Tags: Peugeot Expert FAP
Matt, tell us more please about the rear suspension. Is it a hydropneumatic independent set-up like in the Citroen Picasso and other Citroens?
Hi Golfschwein,
As the system (and indeed the whole van) was co-developed with Citroen (and FIAT) I would suspect you’re right on the money regarding the Hydropneumatic origins.
Unfortunately, and despite a lengthy press kit read through, technical information is non-existent so I am unable to advise you any further. Even their website is of little help.
About the only other additional offering I can make is that the height can be lowered another 10 or so mm, but as the car has now been returned I can’t even offer to pull on the overalls and find out any more for you.
If you’d like to know more perhaps contact Peugeot Australia and ask to speak with a Technician.
Matt.
Matt.
Its still a white van, there is really nothing about it that will change the white van culture.
They should race these in their own class.
Be more interesting than V8 supercars……
Why would you choose this over the Vito, Transporter, or I-Load though.
$41,590, is that for 2 of them?
PASS
No back up of any sort.
Get a Toyota HiAce and be done with it [Or a Transit]
Cheers
F-0
Why do they call it an Expert? I guess all the tradies and workmans are taken.
Still I cant see the blokes down the pub talken about their new “Expert” expect maybe with their Subway sandwich artist
I really should update my 02 Econovan, its done over 300,000k but I just couldn’t justify spending over $40k to replace something that cost half that when new and still runs well. Great report though Matt
Drop the ride height, get some bling wheels, mattress in the back and this could be the multipurpose Sandman ute replacement… if it’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’… mmm…hydropneumatic suspension…
To: Golfschwein : the system is pneumatic not hydropneumatic
To: The_New_Fresh_Prince
Yes, it is amazing that Peugeot keep selling cars here and have penetrated the market for over 60 years with no back up of any sort.
Or maybe there is back up here. Perhaps that is what the 45 Peugeot dealers do.
Maybe that is why Telstra and the Queensland government buy Peugeot vans now.
Perhaps that is why Peugeot outsell Fiat and Citroen – because it is the same product but with better back up from a well established brand.
But my comment isnt as funny as yours not being a snippy line drop. But I think it is more useful.
Have you considered that the Toyota is RWD and therfore the floor has to be higher to accomodate the rear differential and the driveshaft running back?
Therfore the load is higher and less stable than the low floor in the FWD Peugeot. Low centre of gravity, good for stability. FWD, better for fuel economy and less NVH.
I’ve got the same car, and I was exacly surching for that relooking.
thank you
tony