The load area is wide enough to contain a standard Europallet while six load-lashing eyes will help keep cargo in place – and there is a sliding side door as standard.

ABS brakes with emergency brake assist are standard on all models while ESP traction control, tyre pressure sensors and cruise control will be options.

Under the bonnet there is a choice of petrol and diesel engines.

The 1.6HDi diesel offers 75bhp or 90bhp, while returning 48.7mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 153g/km of CO2.

The 1.6-litre petrol offers 90bhp, 34.4mpg and 195g/km of CO2.

Prices range from £10,395 to £12,395.

This was the fist time we’d clapped eyes on the long load length version, which is due in the UK in September, and if anything it looked even better than the standard version.

Our test van featured the 90bhp engine, which fired up smoothly and quietly from cold.

It had just two seats in the front with a large roll-top storage bin and coffee cup holder between them.

To be honest the third seat option is a bit of a waste of time as the middle one is so cramped.

Personally, I’d go for the bin option every time.

The driver and passenger seats are glorious (the old Partner’s were nothing to write home about) and feature plenty of back, side and lumbar support.

One problem that revealed itself in RHD format was a shortage of space for the left foot when it isn’t using the clutch.

It’s one of the things that tends to happen when you swap the steering wheel from one side to another.

The van had 300kg of sand in the back which really made the drive a lot smoother, while not seeming to sap any of its power.

A nice slick dash-mounted gearchange and perfectly-weighted power steering make for an admirable driving experience.

Peugeot Bipper

After a lunch stop we swapped into the smaller Bipper and although the cab seemed comparatively cramped at first, we soon got used to it.

The Bipper is very much designed as an urban delivery vehicle and has an amazing turning circle of 9.9 metres, which came in handy when we had to squeeze out of the car park.