Automotive

Peugeot seeks freedom and outdoor action with Boxer 4x4 camper van

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It's hard to go wrong and not have fun when combining mountains like that, a 4x4 camper van, and adventure gear for land and water
Peugeot
Weird paint: check. Superfluous sports gear: check. Off-road accessories: check. Yep, that's definitely a concept camper van developed by an automaker
Peugeot
It's hard to go wrong and not have fun when combining mountains like that, a 4x4 camper van, and adventure gear for land and water
Peugeot
The new Boxer 4x4 Concept is a larger answer to the Rifter 4x4 Concept that preceded it, an adventure van that sleeps occupants inside the van walls
Peugeot
Should that track turn to singletrack or river, the Boxer 4x4 driver is ready to continue the journey
Peugeot
The funky off-road roof lights remind us of classic sports car pop-ups
Peugeot
Pee break?
Peugeot
That minty fresh accenting looks bad both outside and in
Peugeot
This is the most Peugeot shows of the camper equipment: an expandable dining table and a corner of the kitchen block
Peugeot
The Fiat Ducato is the more popular Sevel van for camper conversions, but we think the Peugeot grille and badge give the droopy-faced van a stronger, more attractive look
Peugeot
Peugeot doesn't mention anything about a pop-up function, but those lights sure look like they should retract flush against the roof until the sun drops
Peugeot
A custom ladder provides roof rack access
Peugeot
All-terrain tires boost grip
Peugeot
A more motorhome-friendly navigation system
Peugeot
More colorful design work
Peugeot
We think the whole thing would look a lot more classy with a front-to-rear 'wanderlust green' paint job and wood-grain canoe, but we guess classy wasn't the look Peugeot was going for
Peugeot
We don't really care for the mint green, but we have to appreciate Peugeot's commitment
Peugeot
From day trips to the local trail to long "destination unknown" expeditions, the Peugeot Boxer 4x4 looks like a capable companion
Peugeot
An electric assist gives the Peugeot eM02 FS Powertube a little extra oomph
Peugeot
4x4 specialist Dangel upgrades the Boxer's off-road capabilities
Peugeot
Clearly Peugeot wasn't thinking about national park-hopping retirees when it developed the Boxer 4x4 Concept
Peugeot
The Bravia Mobil badge on the side provides the most information about what the camper van layout looks like
Peugeot
Enjoying the van life scenery
Peugeot
Bravia Swan 599 floor plan
Bravia Mobil
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Peugeot has been coming to play. Following up on its multi-camper van presence at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon earlier this month, it held one more new camper van back for home turf at the Recreational Vehicle Show that starts this weekend in Le Bourget, France. The largest camper van of Peugeot's show-touring lot, the all-new Boxer 4x4 Concept aims to be a full-blown adventure mobile for extended multi-sport expeditions. It combines unforgettable paintwork, a Dangel 4x4, off-road accessories, space for three, and gear for adventures of land and water.

Having already highlighted camper vans built on the compact Partner and mid-size Traveller in Düsseldorf, Peugeot turns to its largest van and most obvious choice for a rolling mountain hut. The Boxer is the Fiat Ducato's lion-badged French cousin, and the Ducato is the most popular motorhome base in all of Europe. These vans offer plenty of length, width and height for all the proper camper amenities, including a bathroom. The Boxer 4x4 Concept is based on the 19.7-foot (6-m) variant.

The new Boxer 4x4 Concept is a larger answer to the Rifter 4x4 Concept that preceded it, an adventure van that sleeps occupants inside the van walls
Peugeot

Peugeot frames the Boxer 4x4 Concept as the successor to the tiny but formidable 2018 Rifter 4x4 Concept (Peugeot clearly not one to waste time whiteboarding creative names). While the Rifter 4x4 was a compact, nimble machine for accessing remote trailheads, the Boxer 4x4 is a larger shuttle-shelter built to support epic dual-sport voyages. Like the Rifter, it relies on a Dangel 4x4 with rear differential locker and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. It gains an extra 2 inches (50 mm) of clearance at the rear and 1.2 in (30 mm) up front.

Many a modern show floor camper van has the obligatory mountain bike(s) on back, but not as many match badges and colors. Peugeot complements the Boxer 4x4 with a minty fresh version of its very own eM02 FS Powertube electric mountain bike, the perfect partner for exploring beyond dirt road's end. And should that road end in flat water instead of singletrack, the Boxer 4x4 also packs a color-matched walnut canoe on its roof, comfortably housed on a custom-built rack that steers clear of skylight operation.

We don't really care for the mint green, but we have to appreciate Peugeot's commitment
Peugeot

Peugeot clearly spent more time outside than inside and doesn't get more specific about the camper conversion, in word or photograph, than mentioning kitchen, bathroom, dining and sleeping areas and the ability to "accommodate up to three people on a long-term basis." It did leave a big clue hanging out there, though: fender badges from Bravia Mobil, another Slovenian RV brand. Outside of a single Mercedes Sprinter camper van, Bravia's entire lineup is made up of Peugeot-based conversions, and they're a pretty stylish, space-efficient lot from what we've seen of them.

Given the Boxer 4x4's length, we can surmise that it's a Bravia Swan 599, a classic European camper van package with a rear transverse double bed and a four-seat front dinette that partners with the swivel driver seat to create a third sleeping berth. Beyond that, the basic Swan 599 includes a central wet bathroom behind the dining area and a kitchen block with dual-burner stove, sink and fridge.

Bravia Swan 599 floor plan
Bravia Mobil

Of course, Peugeot puts its own signature imprint inside and outside this particular Swan. We've always admired Bravia's usual blend of glossy black paintwork and city skyline interior decor, but the deep "wanderlust green" Peugeot uses on the front 2/3 of the body is quite handsome itself — or would be without the unnecessary mint accents and rear party stripes. We do give a hat tip for the seamless extension of paint scheme into canoe, though.

The minty eyesore trim continues inside, where Peugeot also grabs what eco cred it can with camper flooring made of 100 percent recycled plastic. We'd have preferred a new electric Boxer base, but we'll have to settle for repurposed shampoo and milk bottles.

Peugeot puts the star on the treetop with a new motorhome-specific infotainment/nav system developed in cooperation with Alpine. The system factors in the vehicle's dimensions when routing, avoiding structures and roadways that are undersized.

A more motorhome-friendly navigation system
Peugeot

The Boxer 4x4 certainly isn't as thoroughly detailed or adventure-driven as the hammock-topped, Ducato-based Cliff 4x4 Adventure concept, but it'd make for a fun weekend, vacation or "long-term basis".

Source: Peugeot

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