Although it disappeared from the scene in Canada about 20 years ago, French auto maker Peugeot has a presence in more than 150 countries.
It is one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world, tracing its beginnings as a company back to the middle of the 1800s. It has been building automobiles since the turn of the century, and bicycles for about 120 years. Over the years, Peugeot has also manufactured everything from women's corsets to washing machines to saw-blades, to pepper and coffee mills.
It also makes scooters, and has done so since 1953, when it debuted its S55 model at the Paris Exposition. Strong sellers in Europe, Peugeot's scooters are also marketed worldwide under the Griffon and Automoto badges and, these days, it has an arrangement with Honda, which builds some of its engines, and has a purported 25 per cent stake in Peugeot Motorcycles.
This summer, Canadian consumers may again be seeing the familiar prancing lion logo on a line of scooter models being brought into the country by Quebec-based Canadian Motor Inc. (CMI).
With some 10 models ranging in size from 50 cc to 500 cc, Peugeot scooters will be sold in most areas of the country, with the exception of Saskatchewan, some of the Maritime provinces and up north. In some cases, they will also be available through established car dealerships. Here's a quick look at the upcoming Peugeot scooter lineup.
VS2 Retro
First introduced in 1971, this is the classic pedal-power moped, with a 49-cc, two-stroke engine, chain drive, bicycle-style seat and a five-litre fuel tank. It weighs just 42 kilograms and is aimed squarely at riders who value fuel economy above everything else. It is also, according to Peugeot, not for use on public roads.
Vivacity 50
The classic, step-through, city scooter is propelled by a 49-cc, two-stroke, with hydraulic brakes and seating for two. Offered in white, black or red, this will likely be one of the company's better-selling models.
TKR Furious
Still with the air-cooled, 49-cc, two-stroke engine, the Furious is a sport scooter, with exposed handlebars, an engine skid plate and under-the-seat storage. Described as being just right for “surfing on asphalt,” the Furious also has a “sport” exhaust system and “off-road” tires. It also has, interestingly, disc brakes front and back.
Speedfight
Offered in two trim levels, the Speedfight (where do they get these names?) can be had as an Ultimate or Rcup model. Both have disc brakes front and back and, with their funky paint jobs and eye-catching graphics, are fashion statements as much as A-to-B transport. Power for both is delivered via a 49-cc two-stroke with a carburetor and air cooling.
Satelis
Moving up in displacement, the Satelis model will be offered in Canada in five variations, with three different engine sizes.
From the top, the Premium 125 version has a 15-horsepower, fuel-injected, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with liquid cooling. Dry weight is some 160 kilograms. This is one of the breed of “stretched” scooters, along the lines of the Suzuki Burgman and Honda Silverwing.
It can readily accommodate two people, and has a small glove compartment and under-the-seat storage for two helmets. It will be offered in black, silver, or grey paint and will also be available as the upmarket Blacksat Executive, which sports an all-black paint job, five additional horsepower, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, and, naturally, a higher price tag.
With a 250-cc, single-cylinder engine and 22 horsepower on tap, the Satelis 250 Premium will tip the scales at 160 kilograms and is another variation on the stretched-scooter platform. It has a seat height of 284 millimetres, disc brakes front and back and a 14-litre fuel tank.
Among other accoutrements, it will have a sunglass-holder, glove compartment and central locking. A goodly sized windshield will provide some relief from the elements and an on-board computer will help you keep track of your mileage and fuel consumption.
For performance buffs, the Satelis 500 will provide some 37 horsepower via a 492-cc, single-cylinder engine and will feature optional anti-locking brakes. Available as either a Premium or Executive model, the Satelis 500 will have a projected top speed of some 160 km/h, and is the powerhouse of Peugeot's model lineup.
It weighs in at 213 kilograms, has a decent-sized windscreen and 14-inch wheels and tires. Among its various modcons, you will find a cellphone recharger, glovebox and an engine immobilizer.
Prices for the new Peugeots will range from just under $3,000 for the Vivacity 50, right up to almost $11,000 for a full-zoot Satelis 500 Premium with ABS.
CMI is expanding its dealer network and bringing in the French scooters right about now and, depending upon where you live, most models are available, but some aren't.
For more info, including a dealer locator, go to www.peugeotcanada.ca.
