Test ride: Peugeot Metrópolis 400i SW, better with three wheels

Peugeot excels with this Metrópolis, thanks to its robust mid-size styling, its ease of use and cargo capacity, particularly in this elegant and practical SW version that perfectly meets the needs of a rider who needs to get around the city quickly, park the bike, leave the helmet in the top box and continue on foot with a backpack or briefcase that fits neatly in the maxi-scooter.

We are referring in particular to the SW and its twin rear compartment, which gives it an imposing look and serves a dual purpose: it is an excellent backrest for the passenger and offers 54 litres of capacity, designed to hold two full-face helmets. In addition, the rear compartment space connects to the storage bay under the seat, which adds another 22 litres, all well finished and lit.

There are several scooters that can be ridden with a B (car) licence, but most are 125 cc and, over medium distances around the city, they fall short or very short, whereas the Peugeot Metrópolis 400i is perfect precisely for that reason: it has plenty of power to keep going with confidence, comfort and enough speed to keep up with traffic.

A Premium Scooter for technology and ride comfort

There are smaller ones that fall short and much larger ones that are clumsy in town, but the Metrópolis has the perfect size to move through traffic, with a length of 2.15 metres and a width of 77.5 cm. It is a balanced, well-proportioned scooter, and its comfort lies partly in its seat height of 78 cm, which is rather low, and partly in its wheelbase of 1.5 metres, which provides poise and stability. This is undoubtedly a Premium product thanks to comfort features that set it apart from the rest of its category, not only in terms of finish quality, but also through attractive gadgets such as the remote key that activates the bike by proximity alone, a digital instrument cluster that is easy to read, connectivity via the i-Connect app, and LED lights that provide good illumination.

Its technology borrows heavily from the automotive world, as seen in features such as automatic activation of the hazard lights during emergency braking, the aforementioned integrated connectivity, and the adjustable windscreen and rider backrest, which are just a few of the details that make the difference.

Performance suited to the city and its surroundings

The Peugeot PowerMotion 400 cc engine meets Euro 5 emissions standards and produces 35.6 CV with 38.1 Nm of torque. It is a simple powerplant that stands out for its low noise and fuel consumption, with a result that is more than convincing even for medium-distance road trips, where it reaches a top speed of 135 km/h with ease.

With reasonable use, the Metrópolis can cruise comfortably at mid-range speeds above 100 km/h, which allows it to keep pace with traffic and not be a hazard. Moreover, what can be said best about the whole package is the concept of comfort, and not only because it is a stable three-wheeler capable of standing upright thanks to its anti-tilting system, which locks the wheels so you never have to put a foot down. It is also comfortable because it has a tight fuel consumption of just over 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres, and thanks to this and its 13-litre tank, there is room for a little more: it is easy to exceed 300 kilometres of range if you handle the throttle with care.

Stability lock so you don’t have to put your feet down

The two wheels at the front provide outstanding stability, especially for those who do not consider themselves expert riders but who still want to enjoy an exceptional means of mobility, thanks to the agility of this Metrópolis. The stability lock, engaged at a standstill by a simple selector on the right handgrip, located in the same way as the indicator on the left grip, meaning it is accessible and easy to use without having to search for it or look, is one of the most compelling arguments for the Metrópolis 400i SW.

The stability lock system offers great flexibility because it is easy to operate, and once the rider gets used to it, the button can be used both to start moving and when stopping, for example at a traffic light, so that the bike stays upright on its three wheels. Likewise, it disengages automatically when setting off again. The system always confirms the operation with beeps and indicator lights. Another perfect feature of this scooter is that it does not need the stand to park: with the stability lock engaged it stays upright, and with the parking brake it remains locked. This saves us from lifting it onto the stand, which is not very awkward, is set well back and is easy to use, but the weight is still there…

Smoothness and technology at the service of the rider

The Peugeot offers greater safety and stability, and achieves this especially with a front end that follows the road surface faithfully. It does not get along with potholes, unlike most motorcycles, and it demands a certain dedication or firmness in riding; let’s say it does not want to lean and seems reluctant to lose its upright position, so it must be leaned to turn properly. In reality, and without needing to be a great expert at the handlebars, it takes only a few seconds to master the technique, which feels perfect if you use your hips and accompany the movement smoothly.

For its part, the rear end is as sound as the front. It has a double spring and damper assembly with preload adjustment, which makes it especially useful when carrying a passenger and when the SW’s boxes are loaded. Its operation is smooth and progressive, and in addition, the electronics ensure good engine management, while traction control lets you almost forget about everything: just a measured dose of throttle, the tyres in good condition, and inevitable caution on the road.

Peugeot Metrópolis 400i SW, the flagship of the brand

Riding it is simple, comfortable and especially safe, both thanks to the automatic stability system already mentioned and because of its powerful braking that stops the bike with ease. This is a scooter that weighs 280 kilos, and considerably more when loaded with rider, passenger and luggage, so we are talking about easily stopping over 350 kilos, which thanks to the complete dual braking system, operated equally from the handlebar or the brake pedal, is a responsive system with ABS and automatic distribution between both wheels.

The Peugeot Metrópolis 400i SW is the flagship of the brand, and it has everything. Nobody ever said having everything would be cheap: there is quality, technology and a huge advantage in being able to ride it with a B licence. That is why the price is 9,690 euros, with one year of insurance and a five-year warranty included, which says a lot about Peugeot Motorcycles.