Peugeot's city van, the Bipper, has been updated to include all-new stop/start system to improve fuel economy.
So, let's start with the headlines: with the frugal little 1.3-litre diesel engine this van will return an average of 65.6mpg while emitting 113g/km CO2.
It isn't the quickest van around, with a 0-60mph time of 16.4 seconds, but with economy and emissions figures so good you can forgive a little sluggishness. The stop/start system plays a big part in producing such efficiency, and works perfectly. Its operation is fast enough to drive normally without having to consciously make allowances for the engine starting up again.
Around town is where the Bipper excels. It has a small turning circle of just 9.95 metres, which when coupled with light yet direct steering means manoeuvring and parking is a simple task. There are no parking sensors as standard, but on a van this size that isn't a big deal.
The wing mirrors are one-piece, meaning there's a sizeable blind spot when driving on the motorway. However, this will be the least of your worries because the Bipper isn't much fun on longer journeys. The half-height bulkhead means it's very loud, and the engine isn't exactly quiet either.
Bumps in the road aren't absorbed particularly well, and if a gust of wind catches the van side-on you do really feel it. This effect is less pronounced with a full load, but still far from ideal.
You get 2.5 cubic metres of single loadspace and a carrying capacity of 610kg in the back of the Bipper, meaning it'll swallow a EURO pallet with no problem at all.
Also consider:
Compact, easy to park, economical diesel engine, good quality cabin
Good interior quality, strong diesel performance, easy to manoeuvre
Great to drive, stylish, car-like handling
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