The Peugeot Landtrek pick-up introduced to South Africa this week is one of the surprise launches in the French brand’s new-model introduction program for 2021, and it’s an interesting one. Peugeot South Africa has targeted the new bakkie in the mid-range of the double-cab market, populated by the likes of Toyota’s Hilux 2.4 GD-6, and at this stage, only two trims models are available, although more utilitarian workhorses may be available in the future.
The Peugeot Landtrek is a result of a co-operative venture between Peugeot and Changan Automobile in China, where it is built alongside the Changan version known as the Kaicheng F70. In Peugeot guise, it is distinguished by a very strong grille incorporating the famous French Lion motif, which has been around for over two centuries.
Peugeot bakkies are no strangers to South African soil, but you have to go back a good few decades to recall the last one available here, the 404 pick-up of the mid-to-late ‘70s. Before that many farmers opted for the 403 diesel pick-up from the 1960s, and examples of both of these were on display at the Landtrek launch venue at the ADA off-road facility near Hartbeespoort Dam.
Fast-forwarding to late 2021, the Landtrack comes with a 1,9-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, producing 110 kW and 350 N.m of torque between 1 800 and 2 600 r/min. A six-speed automatic transmission, courtesy of Borg Warner, is standard on both models.
The two models available are the Landtrek 4X2 Allure at R579 900 and the 4X4 Landtrek 4Action at R669 900. The price includes five-year/100 000 km warranty and service plan schemes. The pricing, to us, sounds a little on the high side if Peugeot are to make an instant impact on the well-traded bakkie market here, up against very established brands.
In appearance, it’s difficult to distinguish between the 4X2 and 4X4 variants, as there are no badges denoting their configurations. A quick giveaway is that the Allure model runs 17-inch alloy wheels and tubular running boards, while the 4Action has 18-inch rims and flat aluminium running boards.
Inside, too, the cabins are quite similar at a glance. Full leather trim is the big difference in the 4Action model, and focussing on the console you’ll notice a rotary dial to select 2H, 4H and 4L drive modes, obviously absent in the 4X2 Allure.
Both models have a 10-inch touch screen, but further exploration reveals that the more-expensive 4Action enjoys a 360 degree camera system, on-board navigation, six-way electrically-adjustable seats for driver and front passenger (with lumbar support adjustment) and a mechanical diff lock for the rear axle.
We drove the 4Action model first, and the launch route included lots of urban driving, country back roads on tar of varying quality, and then a more intensive dirt session at the ADA centre’s off-road course. We also had the chance to explore the Peugeot Landtrek on dirt roads which included a lot of bumps and potholes.
On pull-off, some turbo-lag was noticeable, but as the engine spooled up onto the power-band, acceleration was more than acceptable. The engine note is quite audible in the cabin, but the sound, for a diesel, is very pleasant, with no ignition rattling or vibration. The six-speed automatic’s ratios are well-chosen, and the Landtrek cruises effortlessly at the 120 km/h speed limit and above.
The ride is a little firm over some tar road surfaces, not as car-like as the top models, say, in the Ford Ranger or Volkswagen Amarok range, but it is not uncomfortable. The overall feeling is one of a very well-built vehicle, and throughout our launch experience, no body-rattles or vibrations were experienced. This comment includes the passage over some serious axle-twisters at the ADA off-road centre, and we were impressed with the torsional rigidity.
Off-road, in low range, more than enough power was on tap for serious obstacles at crawl speeds. The 4X4 model also features hill-start assist which worked perfectly, and hill descent. Traction via the 4-wheel-drive system was excellent.
On the faster dirt roads we experienced, the Landtrek’s ride-quality really comes into its own. The vehicle dealt effortlessly with bumps of hold-your-breath variety, as well as ruts and ripples. The low-geared steering proved to be a boon in off-road driving, with no surface-shock transferred through to the steering wheel.
I really enjoyed the multi-view 360 degree camera system on the off-road obstacle course. You can select views from various points on the vehicle to check whether, say, your right-front-wheel is heading for a big hole, or you are about to scrape the roof due to an intrusive tree you hadn’t noticed. And the resolution on the camera image is excellent.
From an accommodation pint of view, there is good rear leg and head room available, and the load bin is one of the bigger offerings on the double-cab market. It measures 1,6 by 1,6 metres in size, and the Landtrek has a maximum payload capability of 1 085 kg, which is good for the double-cab market. Maximum towing capability is 3 000 kg, so caravaners should enjoy this modern-era Peugeot bakkie.
Overall, the impression of the Peugeot Landtrek is not cutting-edge, or super-luxury, but one of a very well-put-together double cab bakkie. It inspires a feeling of trust thanks to its rigid build-quality, and the way its transmission, off-road systems and electronic safety systems behave. It also comes with six-airbags on both variants, and traction control and corner-assist is fitted to both the Allure and 4Action models.
The overall drive-train behaviour in normal motoring is slightly retro, if one compares it to the latest offerings from the likes of Ford, but one should take into account that price-wise, the Peugeot Landtrek is up against Ford and Hilux variants still often using previous-gen drivetrains.
Looks-wise, it has good, strong exterior styling. The cabin trim is well put together, and the only question mark is the use of some hard-texture plastic on parts of the dashboard and the cubby-hole, which somewhat tempers the impression of modernity and luxury created by the well-designed seats, the touch screen and the impressive Peugeot trademark feature of backing up touchscreen features with easy-to-use piano keys mounted below the infotainment unit.
Peugeot South Africa’s Managing Director Leslie Ramsoomar says the rationale behind reintroducing a Peugeot bakkie to South Africa was that it was an opportunity.
“The LCV segment , or pick-up category, represents 25 per cent of the South African new vehicle market. Secondly, we have a legacy of pick-ups in South Africa, with the 403 and 404 models. The Landtrek is well-built, well-tested in all terrains and all weather conditions and we think we can gain a foothold. We will start with just the double cabs to start with and grow it from there. As we grow over the years we will evolve the range into more models, single cabs, and the like.
“We are serious about the South African market with the Peugeot brand (Ramsoomar is also the South African MD of the Stellantis Group here, incorporating such brands as Opel, Alfa Rome, Fiat, Jeep and Citroen).
“Within the group there is a special focus on South Africa, directed by the Stellantis CEO himself, Carlos Tavares. We have a strong competitive Peugeot model in every major segment in the passenger segment, and now it is time to round it off with Landtrek in the LCV segment.
‘As for the new vehicle itself, we believe it’s very attractive and well-priced in terms of a value-for-money offering.”
By Stuart Johnson
Fast facts:
Price: R669 900
Engine: 1,9-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel
Power: 110 kW @ 4 000 r/min
Torque: 350 N.m @ 1 800 – 2 800 r/min
0-100 km/h: 15,9 seconds
Top speed: 171 km/h
Fuel consumption: 9,1 L/100 km
CO2: 239 g/km
Service plan: Five-year/100 000 km
