Peugeot makes a long-awaited compact MPV
New 5008 Multi-Purpose Vehicle is available in five and seven seat versions and is a close cousin to the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso
By Justin Lee
THIRTEEN YEARS AFTER Renault popularised the compact multi purpose vehicle (MPV) segment with the Scenic, Peugeot will finally join in the fray with its 5008 which will be launched at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
The French company has up till now not offered a compact MPV in its line-up, preferring to offer estate variants of its compact hatchbacks like the 308. These are essentially station wagons with two extra seats in the back, although they can’t really offer MPV-equivalent passenger and cargo space and cargo.
Being late to the party with the 5008 has presumably reaped some dividends for Peugeot as the company has had time to come up with a few unique innovations to differentiate it from the competition.
While other carmakers boast that their compact MPVs have seats that fold flat or which can be taken out of the car entirely. The 5008 has a ‘flat-folding’ seat arrangement which enables all the rear passenger pews to be folded away into the floor to create a large 2,506 litres load area. Seats in the second row can also be reclined individually.
In addition, the front passenger seat can also be folded flat into a ‘shelf configuration’ to allow for long objects with a maximum length of 2.76m to loaded as far as the dashboard.
Other stand-out features include the new heads-up display and a distance alert system.
At 4,530mm long and 1,640mm high, the 5008 is smaller in length and height by 60mm and 40mm than its close cousin the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso with which it shares its underpinnings.
It will be available with the same range of engines found in the 308 hatchback. Two 1.6-litre units will be offered: a 120bhp normally aspirated mill and 156bhp turbocharged lump. For our market, these powerplants are most likely to be mated to the four-speed automatic seen in the 308. Check out our review of the 308 SW with the turbocharged engine and four speed auto on page 11.
Even though no indication has been given for the 5008’s local launch, the compact MPV will most probably make its way here in the first or second quarter of next year.
