Peugeot reinvents 5008

SUV style is apparently all the rage for Peugeot designers. How else can one explain the more muscular looks of the next generation of 5008?

Following the trail blazed by the 3008 the new 5008 will look much more an SUV than the people mover model it is set to replace.

Remaining a seven-seater, but sharing little else with its people mover namesake, the next 5008 will be unveiled in Paris at the international motor show this month.

"The new year will signal one of the largest product launch periods for Peugeot both locally and abroad, with the potential of three new or revised SUV models joining the Peugeot line-up in Australia," said General Manager of Peugeot Australia, Kai Bruesewitz.

"With updated 2008, all-new 3008 and, pending negotiations, all-new 5008, Peugeot will round out its full-range of passenger and SUV vehicles in Australia.

"For the first time in Peugeot's history we could offer an SUV derivative of every passenger vehicle line and it demonstrates Peugeot's commitment to satisfying global model demand while leveraging the vast experience within the PSA Group.

"While final specifications and model line-up are yet to be confirmed, we are confident of securing the seven-seat 5008 SUV for local sale."

To be built in Peugeot's Rennes plant in France, the 5008 is based on the same Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2) as the 308 and new 3008, and rides on a 2.84m wheelbase. At 4.64m in length the 5008 will be 11cm longer than the eponymous people mover.

Euro 6.1-compliant engines are set to power the new 5008, the company has revealed, with CO2 emissions no more than 115g/km for petrol variants, or 105g/km for diesels.

Four engines – in different states of tune – will be the 1.2 (turbo three-cylinder) and 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol units, plus 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels. Six-speed automatic transmissions will be available for the high-output 1.2-litre engine, both 1.6-litre powerplants (petrol and diesel), and the 2.0-litre diesel. For most lesser variants each engine is matched to a six-speed manual gearbox, but the entry-level model with 1.2-litre engine comes with a five-speed manual.

Numerous Peugeot design conventions will carry over into the SUV, including a compact steering wheel that's part of the company's i-Cockpit system, which also embraces an 8.0-inch touch screen and what Peugeot describes as a 12.3-inch 'digital head-up display', but is actually a high-mounted instrument binnacle.

Peugeot anticipates bringing the 5008 to market in as many as five levels of trim: Access, Active, Allure, GT Line and GT.

Features that may or may not make it here include a premium audio system, panoramic sunroof and 3D-connected satellite navigation. Safety-oriented driver-assist features extend to Advanced Grip Control with Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC), Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Distance Alert, Active Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), Driver Attention Warning, Smart Beam Assistance, Speed Sign Recognition with Speed Suggestion, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop feature (with the optional automatic gearbox), Active Blind Spot Monitoring, Park Assist and Visio Park, for a 360-degree view.

Front seats will offer a massage function, although Peugeot hasn't announced any specifications for Australia, since the car is not confirmed for the local market. In the vehicle's second row, the seats slide fore and aft, and they also recline and fold. Two more seats are located in the third row and the front-passenger seat will also fold up for accommodating longer loads measuring as much as 3.2m. Peugeot claims a maximum load volume of 1060 litres for the 5008. The car will be available with a powered tailgate that will open with a kick, for easier loading.

The importer will reveal pricing of the vehicle for Australia closer to the local launch, which is projected to go ahead around the middle of next year, provided the sums add up.