Stories by Moses Akaigwe 08072100049
Unto the Peugeot-loving continent of Africa is born a new pick-up which has come to fill the void left by the long absence of the lion brand in the light commercial vehicles segment where it held sway decades ago.
Designed and built to meet both the professional and lifestyle requirements of the continent’s markets, particularly in Nigeria where the brand is on resurgence to the top where it once belonged, the all-new Peugeot Pick-Up was unveiled at an elaborate two-day event in the capital of Tunisia.
One of the highpoints of the events in Tunis were test-drives, both on- and off-road, by the participants from various countries in countries in Africa..
As expected, the count-down has already begun for the launch of the vehicle in Nigeria in the first quarter of 2018.
Peugeot is returning to the segment close to two decades after the last 504 pick-up – that dominated the market with the brand’s typical ruggedness and low running cost – rolled off the production line of PAN Nigeria Limited in Kaduna, thereby leaving an opportunity for the competitors to cash in on.
And, predictably, in separate interviews with The Sun, the top brass of PSA Groupe who were in Tunis, including Peugeot Brand Manager, Jean-Phillippe Imparato; the Executive Vice-President, Africa-Middle East, Jean-Christophe Quémard; and Product Manager, Beatrice Garric; harped on the importance of the new vehicle to the brand’s presence in the light commercial vehicles markets in Africa.
Their optimism dovetailed into similar views expressed by the Peugeot Area Manager for West Africa, Eric Maydieu, and the Managing Director of PAN Nigeria, Ibrahim Boyi, both of whom were also in Tunis, and described the new kid on the block as a product that would considerably accelerate the efforts being made to see the brand reclaim its number spot in the Nigerian market.
And, here is one particular area where their optimism is coming from: Users in Nigeria {and Africa generally}will be glad to discover that the pick-up fulfils the fundamental needs for robustness, endurance and 4×4 drive-train demands. It is aimed at customers who desire a work tool that is reliable in every circumstance, allows for a flexible combination of professional and family activities, and is easy to use and maintain {like the previous generation of Peugeot pick-ups they were used to}.
Vital Statistics: With a length of 5.08m, the new Peugeot Pick-Up is a double-cabin compact pick-up. This segment represents 10 percent of the target market, including the North African and West Sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria, which is a volume of about 56,000 units a year.
Helped by a high body belt line, a vertical front, a horizontal bonnet and a large ground clearance (210 to 215 mm, depending on model), the new Peugeot Pick-Up possesses all of the fundamentals of the pick-up universe.
At the centre of its large grille is the emblem of the lion: the image of all the new SUVs of the brand. The Peugeot lettering stamped on the rear panel echoes its illustrious forebears, PEUGEOT 404 and 504 Pick-up.
Thanks to its simple and robust design, the new PEUGEOT Pick Up is a functional work tool that’s durable and reliable over all terrains.
The cab and the rear compartment are fixed on a ladder chassis with a rigid rear axle, four-bladed springs and Yokohama tyres as standard. These assets assure reliability and endurance, adapted to the load and use on all terrains in every condition.
The load zone has a bed that is 1.40m long and 1.39m wide, equipped with anchoring hooks on the outside. The side walls and the real panel are completely covered with a protective resin which adds to the rigidity and robustness of the whole vehicle. The maximum payload of the vehicle is 815 kg.
Engine/Drive-train: The new Peugeot Pick-Up will be driving in with a longitudinal 2.5 litre common rail turbo diesel engine and a manual five-speed gearbox. It is available in 4×4 and 4×2 versions.
The drive-train of the 4×2 version is linked to the rear wheels via a longitudinal drive shaft and a differential positioned within the rear axle. With the load resting above the rear driven wheels, the more the vehicle is loaded, the better it uses the drive-train.
The 4×4 version is engaged using a special lever to transmit some of the power to the front drivetrain. This allows the driver to make a selection where needed, whether in normal 4×4 4H (4 High) mode or in the 4L (4 Low) mode at short speeds. Thanks to a reducer, extra torque can be applied at very slow speeds to manoeuvre out of the most extreme driving situations.
Equipment, roominess: With reliability and ease of use, the new Peugeot Pick-Up flaunts many features as standard. As a result, manual air-conditioning, electric windows, radio with CD player and USB port are available at all levels. For safety and ease of driving, the vehicle is equipped as standard with an ABS {anti-lock braking system} with brakeforce distribution, rear parking aids, passenger and driver air bags, plus electrically adjustable exterior mirrors.
The most spacious and accommodating passenger interior in its class, with rear-seat roominess of 1,738 mm and knee space of 62 mm, it ensures passenger comfort for both professional and private use.
PAN Nigeria Managing Director, who hinted of the target of early next year for the launch of the pick-up, said machinery would be set in motion to ensure efficient after-sales back-p within the brand’s nationwide dealership network, especially regarding the modern diesel engines that are powering the vehicle.
Boyi, who along with Maydieu, were in the Nigerian team that test-drove the Peugeot Pick-Up over 70 kilometres in Tunisia, predicted an impressive performance by the vehicle in the Nigerian market.