Peugeot Partner Rapid is a cheaper Fiat Fiorino to buy and maintain

Since the formation of Stellantis, this is the first time that the Fiat plant in Betim (MG) has manufactured cars from one of the group’s French brands. Peugeot Partner Rapid is a Fiat Fiorino with very subtle differences, but it has a very specific mission: to win over entrepreneurs and small businesses. This will be done more by Peugeot than by the car itself.

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That’s because the Peugeot Partner Rapid has exactly the same mechanics, but with a few particularities. Visually, the grille (which is not functional) is different and on the side the hubcaps (which Fiorino does not have) the plastic trims are the same as those of Ram Rapid, Fiorino sent to Mexico – and which, probably, ended up naming the van from Peugeot. Other exclusives are the turn signal lights in the mirrors.

It is worth remembering that Fiat Fiorino underwent updates at the turn of the year, when it gained a new bumper, stability and traction controls and was always sold with air conditioning and power steering. On the same occasion, the 1.4 Fire EVO engine was upgraded to the Proconve L7 and had power and torque reduction, to 86/84 hp and 12.2/11.8 kgfm. Its only version, Endurance, sells for R$106,090.

Partner Rapid has exactly the same mechanics, but is available in a more basic version, Business. It has stability and traction controls, hill start assistant, turn signal repeaters, hubcaps, sound preparation, emergency braking alert, cargo compartment lighting and fog lights that also have the DRL function (which the Fiat van does not). It costs BRL 101,390.

In other words, Brazil only went two weeks without having a car without air conditioning as standard. Saveiro 2023 won the equipment recently, at the turn of the year/model.

The Partner Rapid Busness Plus has exactly the same price and the same equipment as the Fiorino Endurance. For R$ 106,090, it includes an alarm, air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat, pocketknife key, height adjustment for seat belts and driver’s seat, electric locks, glove compartment lighting, electric windows and height-adjustable steering wheel. . The only exclusivity is the rubber-lined cargo compartment.

In practice, the van fills a gap left by the old Partner, which was still a project from the 1990s and was being sold in Brazil until February with a very outdated price (it cost R$96,890). But it had a 1.6-liter engine with up to 122 hp, a load capacity of 800 kg and standard air conditioning and power steering.

how good rebadge from Fiat Fiorino, the Partner Rapid has a load capacity of 650 kg, but its load compartment is larger than that of the old Partner: it has 3.3 m² against 3 m² of the old van.

Where Peugeot can make all the difference is in the service of its network. There are fewer dealerships, 128, but 24 of them are dedicated to commercial vehicles. But they also fall under the benefits of Peugeot Total Care offered to passenger cars.

This program offers personalized service, guarantees that if the scheduled inspection is not carried out on the same day, the customer does not pay, guarantees the budget value, guarantees the inspection with a fixed price and the quality of the service, guarantees 24h towing for 8 years in case of breakdown or collision and borrow another vehicle if the repair takes more than 4 days, even out of warranty. In addition to these, there is a dedicated service consultant, car wash after overhaul and services and parts can be billed to companies. That Fiat Fiorino does not have.

At the time of sale, Partner Rapid can still be purchased with maintenance packages that cost from R$1,642 to R$4,778, which includes the first five revisions and wear parts.

By the way, Patner Rapid’s revisions also cost less than Fiat Fiorino’s. Check out the price comparison for revisions up to 60,000 km:

Peugeot Partner Rapid photos: