XP 400 GT from Peugeot Motocycles, the off-road scooter that would suit Pedro Sánchez

Following the entry as a controlling partner of Mutares in its shareholding, a German private equity company specializing in operations in industrial groups with potential operational improvements, and the move to Mahindra's side, Peugeot Motocycles celebrates its 125th anniversary with the launch of its riskiest bet in decades an SUV: the XP 400 GT, which starts at 8,395 euros.

This XP 400 GT -with an Allure version for 7,995 euros plus asphalt- has a chassis designed with overexertion in mind outside the asphalt, but without forgetting the necessary rigidity for it to behave well on it, with a mixed tube trellis frame (round and rectangular) that resembles one more motorcycle perimeter. Its engine is the 400 cc PowerMotion that the Metropolis GT mounts, and that almost matches its performance: 35.6 CV at 8,150 rpm and 38.1 Nm at 5,400 laps.

For the suspension, Peugeot Motocycles opted for the Kayaba, which gives it a 41mm inverted fork with 140mm of travel and a horizontal monoshock located on the right, arch type.

The instrument panel, where the five-inch TFT commands, although it offers step-by-step navigation with the brand's connectivity system (i-Connect), a more avant-garde design would not have hurt. With keyless start and the obligatory USB socket, the comfortable double seat (at 815 mm) with two large handles has the particularity of being split asymmetrically in two and accommodating a full-face helmet (not the one I'm wearing in the photo) and under the rear some other accessory.

In a presentation day that dawned within the classic Malaga weather canon, the afternoon raged unleashing an intense downpour that limited our ability to fully test this XP 400 GT. Before the deluge broke loose, rolling along the mountain roads around Mijas, this SUV from the lion brand showed itself as expected: solid when cornering (1,545 mm between axles) with a smooth response from the engine and easy control in direction changes despite being somewhat overweight (231 kg). This response from the engine, progressive and very GT, could well have a plus of vigor given the successful packaging of the whole commitment to this SUV.

The XP 400 in this GT version is a rather athletic cut scooter, well finished and with a marked aesthetic character where the DRL of its fang-shaped front optics and the claw in the rear light dominate. Its finishes do not disappoint with country nods such as the cuff covers, the cuts in the bodywork, a brushstroke of duckbill, the air shock absorber, the protective aluminum, the short and smoky screen... And of course, some wheels that are everything. a hit: 17-inch and 15-inch spoked wheels shod with Pirelli STR Rally.

Already with the water on the road at levels well above normal to ride calmly, we were still able to check the excellent (it cannot be classified in another way) behavior of the brakes (double 295 mm disc in front and a single 240 mm disc). mm behind) and the two-level traction control that, in its second step, did not hesitate to come into action at almost every punch when coming out of turns.