What's the news?
The just-announced Peugeot Rifter, the French company's version of sister brand Citroen's Berlingo van-based MPV, is also getting a rugged concept car version for the Geneva motor show. The Rifter 4x4 Concept gets all-wheel drive and (we love these) a roof-top tent.
"Through the Rifter 4x4 Concept show-car, we succeeded in creating an even more multipurpose and effective vehicle with a very modern and distinctive style that plays on the contrast of colours and materials" said Keith Ryder, Peugeot Rifter Design Manager.
That style includes a special paint colour called 'spangled grey' and a matt-black panel that runs the full length of the car and is designed to protect from mud splatters. The tailgate is also finished in matte-black. There's also some anodised yellow highlights, and a smattering of Rifter logos.
Amusingly, it's also fitted with a 'Dangel' logo, and if you didn't know Dangel is an independent company that used to produce high-riding 4x4 versions of 1980s Peugeots, including the massive 505 estate.
Inside, there are Rifter-logo'ed seats with Alcantara suede panels and contrast yellow stitching. Actually, there's yellow highlights everywhere - on the steering wheel, the gear lever and elsewhere.
On the mechanical front, the Rifter 4x4 gets an 80mm increase in ground clearance, and four-wheel drive with three modes - 2RM which is front-wheel drive for tarmac and fuel-saving; 4RM which sends power to the rears if it detects any slip; and Lock which is permanent 4WD. The Rifter also gets special BF Goodrich off-roading tyres. Power comes from the 130hp 1.5-litre BlueHDI diesel engine, which has 300Nm of torque.
There's also a 300-watt curved LED lighting strip on the roof, either for driving vision in poor weather or lighting up a campsite, and an 'Overland' tent, designed by Autohome, mounted on the roof. It's spring-loaded, and mounts to the existing roof bars, and comes with a small ladder for climbing up.
Finally, for when you've parked up and pitched your tent but still want to get about, there's a Peugeot eM02 FS Powertube MTB electric bike installed in the Rifter, stored on a special rack in the back.
We're really hoping (especially with the roof tent) that this doesn't remain a concept for long.