PEUGEOT is tapping into Australia’s booming commercial market.

The French niche brand has finally decided it can no longer ignore the working class, which now represents 20 per cent of the new vehicle market and joined fellow Europeans Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Fiat, Citroen and Renault who already compete in the high volume segment.

For now, Peugeot Australia will offer two vans, the small Partner and the mid-sized Expert.

The company had examined setting up a separate commercial vehicle sales network, but will sell the vans through existing Peugeot dealers who all wanted to add vans to their portfolios.

Peugeot Australia spokesman said no changes would be needed to be made to showrooms and workshops as the vans fit in.

The company expects to sell 200 Partners and 140 Experts before the end of the year, rising to 420 Partners and 300 Experts next year.

The Partner is the more affordable of the two and the range starts off at $21,990 for the 1.6-litre petrol model and runs through to the $25,490 for the range topping diesel model.

It is available in two sizes, one that measures 4.38 metres in length and one at 4.63 metres.

The longer version is only available with the diesel engine.

The Partner is all-new and its base will be shared by the next-generation Citroen Berlingo.

It is powered by three 1.6-litres engines, all of which are only available with a five-speed manual.

The $21,990 entry level model runs a four-cylinder petrol engine that generates 66kW and 132Nm.

The fuel consumption figure for this model comes in at 8.2 litres per 100km for a combined cycle.

The next model in the line up costs $23,990 and uses a 1.6-litre common rail diesel which generates a modest 55kW and 185Nm of torque.

It uses an average of 5.8 litres per 100km.

A more potent 1.6-litre diesel is available for the top two models of the range, the regular Partner for $24,490 and the longer version for $1000 more.

The engine is also 1.6-litres but it generates 66kW and 215Nm and achieves the same fuel economy as the other diesel.

Peugeot has designed the Partner to carry a load of between 750kg or 850kg depending on the model selected.

It has an accessible length of 1.8 metres, with the standard length, or 2.05 metres in the case of the longer Partner model.

There is a loading height of 1.25 metres and maximum width of 1.62 metres, while the distance between the wheel arches measuring 1.22 metres.

The standard Partner can be equipped with an optional left sliding door for $490 or left and right sliding doors for $950, while the longer model comes with twin sliding doors as standard.

Peugeot has fitted all its Partner vans with anti-skid brakes and a driver’s airbag as standard.

A passenger airbag costs an extra $250, while electronic stability control costs $450.

Standard equipment includes cruise control, electric windows, rear barn doors that open 180 degrees, power steering, a single CD sound system, ladder frame protector for the driver, keyless entry and trip computer.

All Partner models ride on 15-inch wheels and run disc brakes at the front and rear.

Major options include metallic paint for $500, rear park assist, paneled cabin protection and hands-free phone connectivity for $425.

A Multiflex seating system, which adds a third seat in between the driver and passenger costs an extra $380.

Service intervals are 15,000km (oil and filter) and a major service at 45,000km.

The larger Expert van, which is also produced as the Fiat Scudo and Citroen Dispatch has been announced as the International Van of the Year 2008 and come with a large sticker celebrating this feat on one of the rear doors.

There are three versions of the Expert van, which are different sizes.

The Expert L1 is 4.8 metres long and 1.9 metres tall, while the L2 is 5.14 metres long and 1.94 metres tall. The L2 FAP Professional is 5.14 metres long and 1.89 metres tall.

The L1 has a wheelbase of 3.0 metres, while the L2 and L2 FAP Professional have a longer wheelbase of 3.12 metres.

All Expect vans are 2.19 metres wide.

Pneumatic rear suspension is standard on the FAP Professional, which allows the vehicle’s overall height to be lowered.

The useable floor length for the short wheelbase model is 2254mm and 258mm for the long wheelbase model.

The width between the rear wheel arches is 1.25 metres in order to fit a standard pallet (1.2 metres by 0.80 metres).

It has a payload of 1188kg.

The load floor has eight locating rings that can be used to tie down loads.

Its rear barn doors fold out to 180 degrees and there are also sliding side doors on both sides of the vehicle.

A steel bulkhead, located behind the driver and passenger can be ordered as an option.

All Expert models run 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines, but they have two different ouputs.

The version that powers the L1 and standard L2 model is a common rail turbo diesel that generates 88kW and 300Nm of torque, while the L2 FAP Professional’s engine manages 100kW and 320Nm.

Both engines are linked to six-speed manuals and there are no automatics.

The fuel consumption stands at 7.2 litres per 100km for the base diesel and 7.4 litres for the more powerful model.

Standard safety gear includes anti-skid brakes and a driver’s airbag, while electronic stability control costs is a $340 option, while a passenger airbag costs an extra $360.

Standard equipment includes cruise control, parking sensors, a steel cargo stop, electric windows, rear barn doors that open 180 degrees, power steering, a single CD sound system, ladder frame protector for the driver, twin sliding doors, keyless entry and trip computer.

All Experts run 16-inch alloy wheels and have front and rear disc brakes.

The entry level L1 model costs $36,990, the L2 version costs $38,490 and the FAP Professional costs $41,590.

There is a very long list of equipment designed to is available with everything from alloy wheels and tow balls to ladder racks and mobile phone Bluetooth kit.

Service intervals stand at 15,000km (oil and filter) and a major service at 45,000km.