By thatcar.co.za
Yesterday, we were at the launch of the oldest new bakkie in the country!
No, it’s not what you think. 😂
This vehicle has been conquering Africa for decades, transporting people from Malawi to Egypt to Tunisia. Your favourite bakkie wasn’t even a concept in its parents’ minds when this legend first arrived.
Funny enough, it wasn’t even a bakkie back then!
Six years after its release, they turned it into one. And to this day, you still see these bakkies transporting goats, pigs and people in just about every movie set in Africa.
And no, it’s not a Toyota Hilux.
IT’S A PEUGEOT! 🇫🇷
Remember the Peugeot 404?
Well, its spirit lives on in the Peugeot Landtrek.
Wait, I hear your “but… but… but…”
BUT BUT NOTHING! 😂
When it comes to commercial vehicles, Peugeot knows a thing or two about getting the job done. The brand has a long history in the commercial vehicle market, and now it’s bringing the Landtrek up to speed to compete with its rivals.
No, they’re not paying me. Trust me!
OK, let me tell you more about the launch.
THE PEUGEOT LANDTREK
With its commercial ambitions growing, Peugeot is updating the Landtrek to take on its competitors. And from what we’ve seen, we think it might just have arrived at the party ready to take a few titles.
Here’s what you need to know.
ENGINE: MORE POWER, MORE TORQUE
The updated Landtrek gets a Stellantis-developed 2.2-litre Multijet turbodiesel engine, producing 147 kW and 450 Nm of torque.
That’s a substantial improvement over the current 1.9-litre turbodiesel.
Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission featuring an electronic gear selector, the new powertrain delivers 37 kW more power and 100 Nm more torque.
But there’s more.
Maximum towing capacity increases from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.
So, whether you’re hauling equipment, towing a trailer or getting the job done on a farm, the Landtrek now has more muscle to play with.
TECHNOLOGY: YOU CAN’T SELL ON ENGINE POWER ALONE
You can have the best engine in the world, but if you don’t have the technology to match, you’re going to struggle to convince modern buyers.
Thankfully, the Landtrek has been given an upgrade here, too.
Driver-assistance technologies include Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection.
There’s also an updated digital instrument cluster and infotainment system.
OUR VERDICT
We’re currently testing a Landtrek, so we’ll reserve our final judgement until we’ve spent some proper time behind the wheel.
But from what we’ve seen so far, Peugeot appears to have taken the right steps to make the Landtrek a more competitive offering.
Welcome back, Peugeot! 🇫🇷
Watch this space — we’ll tell you what we really think once we’ve put it through its paces.
