Citroen-Peugeot group chose a different way to produce a small MPV as a passenger and as an LCV.
The MPVs were out of trend in Europe, but a few carmakers decided that it would be good to fit that niche market with light commercial vehicles converted into passenger vehicles. Thus, the costs for research and development went down, and the production costs were not high. The French carmaker Citroen/Peugeot thought that offering a family car in an LCV body-shape would do great for those who are using a vehicle in both directions. Both vehicles were built on the Peugeot’s P2 platform, used for the 307 compact hatchback.

The look might not have been its most decisive advantage, but it was built to form a spacious vehicle. With a raked front fascia, an almost vertical A-pillar, and a high roofline, the Partner Tepee had the shape of a light utility vehicle. The car featured sliding doors, which eased the loading and unloading. A flat and vertical tailgate abruptly ended the car.

Inside, there was a cavernous space with a lot of headroom. The flat floor allowed an unobstructed passage from one side to the other via the sliding doors. The high driving position and the dashboard were made to fit a daily job as a delivery van. With the rear seats that could have been reclined, the comfort was good. If there was a need to transport bulky items, the rear seats could have been folded or completely removed. It was also available with a 7-seat option.

Under the hood, the most requested engine was a 1.6-liter diesel unit mated to a 6-speed manual. The in-dash, high-mounted gear-stick was easy to use and practical since it eased the move inside the cabin from left to right.