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2008 Peugeot Expert FAP Professional Review

September 29, 2008 by Matt Brogan  

2008 Peugeot Expert FAP Professional Review & Road Test

lcv_006.jpg

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

plus.jpg Comfortable & Easy to Drive, Usable Power, Great Fuel Economy
minus.jpg Rear Visibility, Front Drive Dynamics Evident, Barn Door Hinges

CarAdvice Rating: rating11.gifrating11.gifrating11.gifrating11.gif

- 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!

lcv_005.jpg

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.

lcv_004.jpg

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.

lcv_009.jpg

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.

Next page…

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  • Comments

    10 Responses to “2008 Peugeot Expert FAP Professional Review”
    1. Vote -1 Vote +1Golfschwein
      says:

      Matt, tell us more please about the rear suspension. Is it a hydropneumatic independent set-up like in the Citroen Picasso and other Citroens?

    2. Vote -1 Vote +1Matt Brogan
      says:

      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.

    3. Vote -1 Vote +1Tom
      says:

      Its still a white van, there is really nothing about it that will change the white van culture.

    4. Vote -1 Vote +1Reckless1
      says:

      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.

    5. Vote -1 Vote +1The_New_Fresh_Prince
      says:

      $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

    6. Vote -1 Vote +1The Salesman
      says:

      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

    7. Vote -1 Vote +1Steve
      says:

      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

    8. Vote -1 Vote +1riceboy
      says:

      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…

    9. Vote -1 Vote +1Pug Lover
      says:

      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.

    10. Vote -1 Vote +1tony Antunes
      says:

      I’ve got the same car, and I was exacly surching for that relooking.
      thank you
      tony

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