Road to Roland Garros

As foreign media test-drives go, it was a too-short ride (not even a drive) and it was of a car that wasn’t even available in my home country.

But I wasn’t complaining. I was in the breathtakingly beautiful city of Paris taking in the picturesque city streets riding in a luxurious midsize executive station wagon, Peugeot’s 508 RXH. Plus I was on my way to Roland Garros.

Europeans love their hatches and wagons. Sure, a sedan is more formal, but in this particular case, a wagon is called for. Why? Because most—or at least, many—of the car’s passengers will be carrying with them at least half a dozen tennis rackets. Plus the huge bag that contains thos e rackets and the rest of their gear. Heck I may even be sitting on the very same seat that was dripping with eventual 2016 French Open champion Novak Djokovic’s sweat after a workout on the iconic red clay courts of Roland Garros.   

The long history between Peugeot and tennis started in the 1970s. Admitted to the Tournament VIP Village in 1984 and becoming the Official Transporter in 1989, Peugeot is celebrating its 32nd year of partnership with Roland Garros in 2016.

The French carmaker is now an ATP World Tour Platinum Partner after signing a global partnership in 2016. Peugeot provides the official car at more than 25 ATP World Tour tournaments, a fleet of more than 500 vehicles, and transport services for players, VIPs, officials, media, and the public.

Peugeot has been involved in tennis for more than three decades, and is strengthening its long association with the sport by linking its presence in 160 countries with the ATP World Tour’s global footprint.

This year the new Peugeot 2008, 308 GTi and Traveller models are joining the 5008, 508 RXH and Boxer Combi, and four Métropolis Roland Garros scooters to make up the vehicle fleet. Passengers can enjoy on-board Wi-Fi provided by the Airbox Auto system using the Orange mobile network.

With the aim of preserving the environment, these vehicles are fitted with efficient engines in terms of consumption and CO2 emissions and, since 2008, Peugeot has given the drivers eco-driving training. All the vehicles are cleaned using a unique water-less system.

For the last eight years, the FFT (French Tennis Federation) has produced a program of player interviews, in partnership with Peugeot, in a vehicle transformed into a production studio for the occasion. The best players in the world let us into their secrets while they travel from their hotel to Stade Roland Garros.

The program, which attracted more than 270 million viewers in 2015, is relayed internationally by most of the stations that broadcast the French Open. Last year, the videos got nine million views on YouTube throughout the tournament’s fortnight. The videos are available on the www.roadtorolandgarros.com.

Peugeot and the Roland Garros collection

Since 1989, Peugeot and the Roland Garros collection have showcased sporty style with a series of special editions inspired by the legendary tournament.

It was in 1989 that Peugeot launched its first two Roland Garros signature vehicles with the 205 and the 405 Estate. For 27 years, all the special series have been developed specifically in partnership with Roland Garros, emphasizing the graphical traits from the world of tennis.

In 2016, the Peugeot 108 and 208—two models produced in Europe and sold in many countries around the world—reflect this partnership.

The three-wheel Peugeot Metropolis scooter and the RG21 electric bicycle, models specific to France, complete the Roland Garros range. A prototype of the Django 125 scooter was designed in 2016 to coincide with the French Open, and will go on sale in 2017.

108 TOP! Roland Garros

Stylish and sporty, the Peugeot 108 TOP! Roland Garros is decorated in the tournament’s colors. Clay Red adorns the stickers on the front doors and tailgate, side mirror covers, roof panel, Peugeot lettering, wheel hub nuts and rear diffuser. With a Lipizan White or Caldera Black exterior, the car’s interior also alludes to the tournament’s colors on its seats, headrests and embroidered floor mats. Technical features include a touchscreen display, automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights, keyless entry and push-button start.

208 Roland Garros

Peugeot’s 208 Roland-Garros also wears the clay-red color on its side mirrors, wing stickers and Peugeot lettering. Available with a Pearlescent Bianca White or Pearlescent Nera Black exterior, the 208 boasts outstanding attention to detail: sporty seats, embroidered car mats, colored seatbelts and decor, and a full-grain leather steering wheel. A wide range of features complete the package: automatic air conditioning, panoramic roof, tinted rear windows and a touchscreen display.

Peugeot Roland Garros bikes—elegance on two (or three) wheels

Well aware of sustainable development issues, the Peugeot collection also contains a variety of eco-friendly vehicles so that you can travel “green.” The Peugeot Metropolis 3-wheeler scooter is the epitome of sporty elegance: pearlescent white bodywork, aluminum front end, clay-red topstitching on the seat, smoked sport windscreen, keyless ignition, electric parking brake and electric tire pressure monitors.

The HYbrid-bike RG21 is perfect for riding around the city, with electric assistance, USB connectivity, a laptop bag as standard, and an optional bike lock.

New for 2016, Peugeot is introducing two Django scooters in exclusive Roland Garros versions: Icy White and Coral White (below).