French firm Peugeot (PSA) is expected to debut this overlander van concept at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in just over a week, and it’s making me green (or maybe yellow striped?) with envy. If indeed it goes into production, our friends in Europe will find themselves with a turnkey adventure mobile, replete with honest off-road cred and serious good looks.
The Rifter 4×4 shares a common PSA platform with Citroen’s Lingo and Vauxhaull Combo Life, and in this instance it’s outfitted to perform, having been kitted with a viscous-coupling 4×4 system, an 80mm lift and rugged tires from BF Goodrich. Peugeot covered the Rifter 4×4 with a killer paint scheme as well: a combination of gray and matte black is shot through with a yellow stripe both inside and outside. Out back is an extra transport option for those who care to venture further once the two-track ends — that’s a Peugeot eM02 FS Powertube electric mountain bike in case you’re curious. An LED light bar is mounted up top, just in front of an Autohome roof tent.
As if its rugged appeal wasn’t enough to make Americans jealous, the Peugeot sports an impressive 1.5-liter diesel and six-speed manual combo that should elicit some envy. While horsepower figures remain a mystery, the engine is said to produce 221 lb-ft.
I’ll be in Geneva in a few days’ time and will report back if there’s more to learn.
For an idea of what the van looks like in motion, check out a video from the crack team at Autoblog here.
