It has been reaffirmed by Peugeot Citroen South Africa that there will be launching five of its new Landtrek one-tonne bakkie in South Africa in the last of 2021, as one of five of its newest cars that are headed our way in the next year.
The cars include the new 2008 compact SUV, as well as the new 208 hatch and facelifted 3008 and 5008 SUVs. What’s greater, the French importer recently expanded its dealer footprint, now boasting 24 locations countrywide, and there are plans to have another five open by December 2020.
Peugeot Landtrek is going up against established one-tonne players like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, but the new version could make an interesting alternative if you are looking for change.
Landtrek is available overseas in a wide variety of variants, including double cab, single cab and chassis cab body styles, petrol and diesel engine options and 4×2 and 4×4 drive configurations. Local pricing and specifications will only be released nearer to launch. The diesel engine option is a 1.9-litre unit that produces 110kW and 350Nm, and the petrol variant is a 2.4-litre turbo petrol that pushes 155kW and 320Nm. Both engines can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
The cabin seems to be quite modern, featuring a 25cm touchscreen infotainment system with CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and there’s a 360-degree camera that forms part of an off-road assistance system.
Peugeot’s second-generation 2008 has taken a more dramatic design direction and like the new 208 hatchback, it’s built around Peugeot’s new CMP platform. Its futuristic looking ‘3D i-Cockpit’ cabin design is inherited from the latest 208, which is also due in South Africa soon.
For now, it does not look like South Africa will get the electric version of the new 2008, but likely propulsion candidates are the 1.2-litre PureTech turbopetrol (offered in 74kW, 96kW and 114kW guises in Europe) and a 1.5-litre turbodiesel with 74kW on tap.
A full range of driver assist gadgets is available on the new 2008, including the semi-autonomous Drive Assist system with Lane Position Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Full Park Assist. Also available is an auto braking function with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic headlight dipping.
Main Image: Auto Evolution
