Peugeot Partner Tepee - page 2

29-10-2008 11:15

In terms of practicality, the Tepee will win any competition hands down. The dash mounted gear lever is not just easier to operate, but frees up space and was the perfect spot to put my handbag. The Tepee has a total of 76 litres of storage from door pockets, boxes and cup holders in the centre console, deep mounted dashboard binnacles and not only under seat drawers but also under floor storage for both front and rear passengers. Then there are some storage spaces above the driver and passenger’s heads. However if that is not enough, opt for the Zenith multi-purpose roof that provides an additional 80 litres of storage space and is accessible to all the passengers via the inbuilt overhead lockers running the width of the vehicle. This innovative features also includes three extra air vents for the rear passengers, a fragrance diffuser and four large glazed panels that floods the cabin with more light.

It gets better thanks to an ingenious internal support rack that enables objects like surf boards or anything similar up to 3 metres in length to be carried inside the Tepee by maximising the use of space created by the generous height of the passenger compartment. Towards the rear are two more roof-mounted boxes while the luggage area has 675 litres of space extending to 3000 litres when the rear seats are removed. It also has a roof mounted top box ideal for either secret purchases of delicate shopping items like bread and eggs. The beauty of all these storage solutions is that when you open them the contents do not spill on top of you simply by the way they have been designed.

The three person bench rear seats can be folded or removed with the specially shaped back of the middle rear seat includes two cup holders and when folded creates a table between the two outer seats.

The Tepee Outdoor has a raised suspension giving a 10 mm increase in ground clearance to appease families who use dirt tracks to get to their favourite outdoor activities. The ride and handling of the Tepee is pretty good and very comfortable while the effortless power assisted steering will easily breeze into those parking buys. If in doubt, however, the Tepee does have rear-parking sensors as an optional extra. The 1.6 litre HDi 110 bhp in the heart of the Tepee may not make it the fastest car on the planet taking 14.3 seconds to reach 62 mph and a top speed of 106 mph, but it will certainly zoom pass petrol stations achieving 50.4 mpg on a combined cycle. Further running costs are gained by CO2 emissions being 147g/km meaning a VED of £120 per year. Smiling all the way to the bank now.

The Tepee is also a very safe place to be in thanks to six airbags, all seats having three point inertia reel seatbelts with ISOFIX mountings fitted on the passenger and two rear outer seats. In addition is ABS with EBD, while a tyre under inflation detection, ESP combined with Traction Control system and hill start assistance function is available. Securing the Tepee is central locking with deadlocks and an optional alarm.

I really fell for the Peugeot Tepee Outdoor for it gave a great drive, saved me valuable pennies thanks to low running costs but best of all, the Tepee was the most practical family orientated cars I have been privy to drive in a very long time.

My jaw aches from smiling