Press release. - Some say life is too short to drink instant coffee, some say life is too short to smoke (if you must) machine-made cigars. Some say life is too short to drink blended whisky, preferring to stick to single malts. Peugeot says life is too short not to travel in style, even if you must travel en mass.

That's why Peugeot Motors South Africa has introduced the Tepee, a generously-equipped eight-seater bus aimed primarily at the hospitality industry, but with considerable appeal for those with large families who want an enticing mix of space, comfort, and safety.

Looks like a bus, drives like a car

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In essence, the Tepee represents a new way of travelling thanks to its bold design, car-like dynamics, and a spacious and comfortable cabin which can quickly and easily be configured to carry between two and eight occupants.  

With Peugeot's leadership in the turbodiesel field with their HDi engine range, the Tepee's powerplant is ideally suited for its function. Under the stubby bonnet is a willing and able version of the company's direct injection, common-rail 2.0-litre HDi, rated at 88kW at 4 000rpm and 300Nm at just 2 000rpm. When mated to the light-shifting ML6C six-speed box its breadth of capability is enhanced further, giving it a combination of lugging power and open road cruising ability which is hard to match.

Fuel station evasion

Fuel consumption sits at a conservative 7.5 litres per 100km in the combined cycle, dropping down to 6.5 on the open road. With an 80 litre fuel tank, you will waste little time at the fuel pumps and because it is so clean-burning, oil changes are required only every 30 000km. (Fuel consumption figures given by manufacturers are gained under very specific conditions - in real life, you can add anything up to another 30% to these figures when you take in hills, quick acceleration, heavy loads etc.)

A Peugeot Tepee passenger is a happy passenger

A cabin designed by Pininfarina suggests driver comfort (and therefore attentiveness) has been placed high on the design agenda. The driver's needs in terms of comfort and convenience are further attended to by a height-adjustable seat with lumbar support and a steering column which adjusts in vertical and horizontal planes. All doors lock automatically once underway and cruise control is just the press of a button away to reduce the driver's workload once on the freeway.

Passengers are able to dictate their own heating and cooling requirements thanks to separate air conditioning controls (six separate vents ensure an even distribution), while there are sliding windows for those in the second row, and hinged rear quarter lights for those even further back. All of this results in an open and airy ambience, conducive to a pleasant motoring experience.

Access to the second and third rows is via a sliding door on each side of the vehicle, with a tilt/fold mechanism for the 60:40 split ensuring easy access to the third row from either side.   

For people on the move

The Tepee is a first-class people carrier and because people invariably come with luggage, there's plenty of space for that. There is 761 litres of storage space when loaded to window level and a giant 1 195 litres up to the roof. And that's before a single seat has been removed.

The Tepee model sold in South Africa also has driver and passenger airbags and disc brakes all round enhanced  by anti-lock and electronic pressure distribution systems.  It is a child-friendly vehicle and the passenger airbag can be disarmed while the outer seats in the second row have ISOFIX child seat tethers. - Peugeot

Price: R339 000