You need dedication and no small amount of ability to produce a competitive panel van. These vehicles must be tough enough to take the hits with the power to go the distance and a ton of heart. Muscle and size will get you so far, but to become a real contender in the heavyweight division, a large truck needs to craft a touch of style and ability to always make the weight. Add in some deft promotion to whip up public interest, perhaps with some media showboating to unsettle opponents, and you're close to a shot at the title.
All that remains is to get in the ring with operators, we invite them to stick it all in, move and work in the body. It's a long, hard road but Peugeot think we champion material in the form of their latest Boxer.
Well over 500,000 Peugeot Boxer models left the Val di Sangro factory in Italy between 1994 and 2006. That was the previous generation version was a big seller for Peugeot across Europe. As a result, boxers now has some big tires to fill, but even a cursory inspection of the specification this vehicle shows that the French manufacturer has given a fighting chance.
For starters, it is great. The old Boxer never came to the high capacity bodystyles that would allow him to compete at the top of the large panel van where parcel courier firms and other intense space conscious operators select their fleets. Before this Boxer came together, the volume of the cargo area was 14m3. Today, you can order a Boxer panel van with 17m3 of virgin room in the back and a maximum payload range extending up to 2.000 kg.
There is a good degree of choice contained in the line-up, as well. Gross vehicle weight of 3, 3.3, 3.5 and 4.0 tonnes are available. Then you have four load lengths (L1 to L4) and three roof heights (H1 to H3). Mix and match between these options and you can get your boxers van group as small as the L1/H1 3-tonner with a 8m3 load volume or as big as the mammoth 17m3 volume L4/H3 2.76 high, nearly 6, 5 meters from the trunk to tail. Peugeot also arrange for converters with a variety of chassis and platform cab options. There are single and crew cabs along with models that have an extended rear track for extra wide conversions.
"Today, you can order a Boxer panel van with 17m3 of virgin room in the back and a maximum payload range extending up to 2.000 kg."
The way the Boxer looks is going to generate enough discussion to see their regular roads inevitably sees the unorthodox front joining the mainstream. The days when panel vans were nondescript clones of one and the others are gone, most manufacturers are now trying to differentiate their products in a visual rather than purely practical level, and the Boxer can certainly be considered apart.
Boxer's stubby frontage is produced by a nose in two parts. There is a missing piece in the middle like they have gone midnight rounds with a very hungry Mike Tyson. The horn-shaped headlamps are a nice touch, positioned right up under the windshield and out of harm's way. This leaves the grille and Peugeot brand to fill the bottom section that juts forward protected by what seems like acres of chunky plastic bumper. Things are much more uniform as you head back, but the issue of protecting the body goes with a thick side-rubbing strips and another big bumper at the rear. There are indicators in the wing mirrors which will not find favor with the drivers use their mirrors like whiskers to test the width of parking spaces or gaps in service and steps to the front bumper let you climb and clean the windshield.
Access to the rear is through the double-hinged rear doors that swing out to 96 degrees or can be released by hand in an arc of 180 degrees. There is a large sliding door next to the near side and the loading height is between 53 and 56 cm, depending on the model. Apart from the rear wheel arch bulges, the space is uniform in shape, while the ribbed floor and abundance of lashing points will help keep wayward items in check.
The cabin says a lot about how the van interior design team has made progress in recent years. There is a dash-mounted gearlever, the decent quality plastics and a variety of storage options. dash-top clipboard The Boxer is transferred from the old model and is a feature that rivals have since pinched. There is a massive central glovebox below the center console and big pockets in the doors, and other handy shelves and pots to keep your paraphernalia in check.
Power is from a line-up of three four-cylinder engines HDi diesel common-rail or two, depending on how you look. The entry-level 2.2-liter HDi 100 and mid-range HDi 120 is actually the same unit with changes in engine management accounting software for increased power. Both options display strong torque characteristics from low revs, the HDi 100 turning in 250Nm at only 1,500 rpm and HDi 120 to 320nm at 2.000 rpm. He does everything for a muscular feel and a more relaxed driving. As always in the market panel van, entrepreneurs regularly call their vehicles to carry heavily laden should climb higher, as the engine range allows their budget. The range-topper is a 3.0-liter case of 400nm is available at 1.700 rpm and 160bhp power rating would be well to draw the greatest boxer around. The 3.0-liter HDI models get a 6-speed gearbox.
Safety gaining a higher position in the table trucks and all Peugeot Boxers benefit from ABS brakes with brake force distribution and brake assist. Traction Control System and Electronic Stability Control is also available and all models feature a driver airbag and 3-point belts with additional bags available as options.
This Peugeot Boxer seems to have the complete package required to make a name for itself in this increasingly closely fought field. The overall quality of the design is eye opening and it will be enough to deliver the knockout blow to many rivals. Remember though, that Citroen and Fiat also offer their own versions of the same vehicle, badged respectively as the Relay and the Ducato.
All that remains is to get in the ring with operators, we invite them to stick it all in, move and work in the body. It's a long, hard road but Peugeot think we champion material in the form of their latest Boxer.
Well over 500,000 Peugeot Boxer models left the Val di Sangro factory in Italy between 1994 and 2006. That was the previous generation version was a big seller for Peugeot across Europe. As a result, boxers now has some big tires to fill, but even a cursory inspection of the specification this vehicle shows that the French manufacturer has given a fighting chance.
For starters, it is great. The old Boxer never came to the high capacity bodystyles that would allow him to compete at the top of the large panel van where parcel courier firms and other intense space conscious operators select their fleets. Before this Boxer came together, the volume of the cargo area was 14m3. Today, you can order a Boxer panel van with 17m3 of virgin room in the back and a maximum payload range extending up to 2.000 kg.
There is a good degree of choice contained in the line-up, as well. Gross vehicle weight of 3, 3.3, 3.5 and 4.0 tonnes are available. Then you have four load lengths (L1 to L4) and three roof heights (H1 to H3). Mix and match between these options and you can get your boxers van group as small as the L1/H1 3-tonner with a 8m3 load volume or as big as the mammoth 17m3 volume L4/H3 2.76 high, nearly 6, 5 meters from the trunk to tail. Peugeot also arrange for converters with a variety of chassis and platform cab options. There are single and crew cabs along with models that have an extended rear track for extra wide conversions.
"Today, you can order a Boxer panel van with 17m3 of virgin room in the back and a maximum payload range extending up to 2.000 kg."
The way the Boxer looks is going to generate enough discussion to see their regular roads inevitably sees the unorthodox front joining the mainstream. The days when panel vans were nondescript clones of one and the others are gone, most manufacturers are now trying to differentiate their products in a visual rather than purely practical level, and the Boxer can certainly be considered apart.
Boxer's stubby frontage is produced by a nose in two parts. There is a missing piece in the middle like they have gone midnight rounds with a very hungry Mike Tyson. The horn-shaped headlamps are a nice touch, positioned right up under the windshield and out of harm's way. This leaves the grille and Peugeot brand to fill the bottom section that juts forward protected by what seems like acres of chunky plastic bumper. Things are much more uniform as you head back, but the issue of protecting the body goes with a thick side-rubbing strips and another big bumper at the rear. There are indicators in the wing mirrors which will not find favor with the drivers use their mirrors like whiskers to test the width of parking spaces or gaps in service and steps to the front bumper let you climb and clean the windshield.
Access to the rear is through the double-hinged rear doors that swing out to 96 degrees or can be released by hand in an arc of 180 degrees. There is a large sliding door next to the near side and the loading height is between 53 and 56 cm, depending on the model. Apart from the rear wheel arch bulges, the space is uniform in shape, while the ribbed floor and abundance of lashing points will help keep wayward items in check.
The cabin says a lot about how the van interior design team has made progress in recent years. There is a dash-mounted gearlever, the decent quality plastics and a variety of storage options. dash-top clipboard The Boxer is transferred from the old model and is a feature that rivals have since pinched. There is a massive central glovebox below the center console and big pockets in the doors, and other handy shelves and pots to keep your paraphernalia in check.
Power is from a line-up of three four-cylinder engines HDi diesel common-rail or two, depending on how you look. The entry-level 2.2-liter HDi 100 and mid-range HDi 120 is actually the same unit with changes in engine management accounting software for increased power. Both options display strong torque characteristics from low revs, the HDi 100 turning in 250Nm at only 1,500 rpm and HDi 120 to 320nm at 2.000 rpm. He does everything for a muscular feel and a more relaxed driving. As always in the market panel van, entrepreneurs regularly call their vehicles to carry heavily laden should climb higher, as the engine range allows their budget. The range-topper is a 3.0-liter case of 400nm is available at 1.700 rpm and 160bhp power rating would be well to draw the greatest boxer around. The 3.0-liter HDI models get a 6-speed gearbox.
Safety gaining a higher position in the table trucks and all Peugeot Boxers benefit from ABS brakes with brake force distribution and brake assist. Traction Control System and Electronic Stability Control is also available and all models feature a driver airbag and 3-point belts with additional bags available as options.
This Peugeot Boxer seems to have the complete package required to make a name for itself in this increasingly closely fought field. The overall quality of the design is eye opening and it will be enough to deliver the knockout blow to many rivals. Remember though, that Citroen and Fiat also offer their own versions of the same vehicle, badged respectively as the Relay and the Ducato.
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