I drive a Boxer L2 H1 120HDi. Now, anyone who is familiar with the intricacies of the Peugeot range of vehicles which may sound like complete gibberish, but it is, is a specific version of the van Peugeot Boxer panel. Model names as is the norm in the panel van sector where producers face a labyrinthine collection of chassis and engines to make sense of. In reality, the Boxer, Peugeot have an approach that is refreshingly simple. This van comes in three lengths (L1, L2 and L3) and two heights (H1 and H2) with a choice of three engines.
Our test vehicle had the middle body length, the lower roof and the 120bhp engine diesel HDi. Now you know what we're talking about, let's go with it.
This is a small to medium sized Boxer and therefore is the type of vehicle that many will choose. The French manufacturer is not known for the real heavyweight panel vans in the way the likes of Mercedes-Benz, IVECO and Volkswagen are, so although the latest Boxer can be specified up to an impressive size, are smaller versions that are more likely to sell strongly.
L2 H1 test model had us 9.5m3 load volume and will happily move a payload of 1.440 kg. Like all Boxers, it uses McPherson McPherson suspension for the front wheels with torsion bar to enhance the peace movement and a solid rear axel with leaf springs that help keep the loading height is low and that payload at high levels. Doing business under the bonnet was a 2.2-liter diesel HDi engine with 120bhp to call. That does not sound like a whole lot in today's money, but the unit is specially tuned to produce a powerful torque of 320nm at just 2.000 rpm, equivalent to plenty of momentum from the van line where team work is needed.
The Boxer was a sizable vehicle but the engine had a little trouble getting the traffic. Most of the tests were relatively light loads in the back, so there could be an issue when the truck is fully loaded, but the way the unit pulled through the gears gave no indication that it existed. The Boxer has received criticism for its refinement, but the full height bulkhead with our model blotted the roar of the road from the loading area and the engine itself is quite sophisticated.
The ride is firmer than you'll find on many panel vans but the taut suspension yields more responsive steering and good body control for such a tall vehicle. It makes all the Boxer a very pleasant van to drive with the dash mounted gear stick in an ideal location and an abundance of grip at the front wheels. In congested urban areas is in his element and consists of enough to tackle undulating B-roads with some aplomb. On longer trips, the ride firm means the experience is not as relaxing as the best models in this area, but the boxer strengths outweigh its weaknesses.
"The Peugeot Boxer is a great product with a lot to offer panel van operators"
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 another go, with most manufacturers now attempting to differentiate their products in a visual rather than purely practical level: 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.
Our test vehicle had the middle body length, the lower roof and the 120bhp engine diesel HDi. Now you know what we're talking about, let's go with it.
This is a small to medium sized Boxer and therefore is the type of vehicle that many will choose. The French manufacturer is not known for the real heavyweight panel vans in the way the likes of Mercedes-Benz, IVECO and Volkswagen are, so although the latest Boxer can be specified up to an impressive size, are smaller versions that are more likely to sell strongly.
L2 H1 test model had us 9.5m3 load volume and will happily move a payload of 1.440 kg. Like all Boxers, it uses McPherson McPherson suspension for the front wheels with torsion bar to enhance the peace movement and a solid rear axel with leaf springs that help keep the loading height is low and that payload at high levels. Doing business under the bonnet was a 2.2-liter diesel HDi engine with 120bhp to call. That does not sound like a whole lot in today's money, but the unit is specially tuned to produce a powerful torque of 320nm at just 2.000 rpm, equivalent to plenty of momentum from the van line where team work is needed.
The Boxer was a sizable vehicle but the engine had a little trouble getting the traffic. Most of the tests were relatively light loads in the back, so there could be an issue when the truck is fully loaded, but the way the unit pulled through the gears gave no indication that it existed. The Boxer has received criticism for its refinement, but the full height bulkhead with our model blotted the roar of the road from the loading area and the engine itself is quite sophisticated.
The ride is firmer than you'll find on many panel vans but the taut suspension yields more responsive steering and good body control for such a tall vehicle. It makes all the Boxer a very pleasant van to drive with the dash mounted gear stick in an ideal location and an abundance of grip at the front wheels. In congested urban areas is in his element and consists of enough to tackle undulating B-roads with some aplomb. On longer trips, the ride firm means the experience is not as relaxing as the best models in this area, but the boxer strengths outweigh its weaknesses.
"The Peugeot Boxer is a great product with a lot to offer panel van operators"
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 another go, with most manufacturers now attempting to differentiate their products in a visual rather than purely practical level: 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment