Peugeot celebrates 200 years in 2010. To coincide with this big corporate occasion Peugeot has unveiled a new styling direction for future models, a new corporate Lion badge. and a new brand signature. It also has the 3008, which is the Continental 2010 Irish Car of the Year.
The new-look Lion is epitomised by the spectacular new Peugeot SR1 concept car, which will be unveiled to the general public at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next week. Peugeot says the SR1 dream car is quite simply stunning - dynamic, balanced and sensual with an exclusive high-tech interior. But all that is next week and beyond. Last week Peugeot launched two new models here - the new 5008 MPV and the 308CC, which the French carmaker says is a cabriolet for all seasons.
New Peugeot 5008 MPV
The new 5008 MPV is indeed a striking new compact MPV from Peugeot. Fast becoming the benchmark for seven-seat family cars, the new Peugeot 5008 was recently awarded the Best MPV of the Year 2010 by the reputable What Car? magazine. Available in three trims, the 5008 retails in Ireland from €26,870 plus dealer delivery related charges for the level one SE model.
The 5008 can accommodate up to seven occupants and reasonable luggage. The driver benefits from a raised driving position giving excellent visibility, combined with ergonomically positioned controls, mirrored in the new 3008. With its large front windscreen and glass roof, passengers enjoy a bright and spacious interior with exceptional panoramic views of the outside.
Flexibility is a key strength of the 5008 with an innovative flat-folding rear seat arrangement to maximise the load area. On SX and SV models, the front passenger seat can be folded flat into a shelf configuration to load long objects right up to the fascia panel. Passengers can easily access the third row seats from the second row - with one easy movement the seat cushion lifts and the seat back moves forward, freeing up maximum space to allow entry to the third row, where two full size seats also fold individually into the floor. Passengers in row three benefit from footwells, not usually a feature in three-row seven-seat vehicles.
The load area of the 5008 offers a generous capacity, ranging from 758 litres to 823 litres under the parcel shelf with the third row seats folded away. This capacity increases to 1,247 litres when the vehicle is loaded to the roof and to 2,506 litres with the second row seats folded away as well, making it one of the largest in the sector.
Peugeot says the 5008 will set new standards in the MPV segment for safety. It points to standard safety equipment across all three models including ESP, ABS, ASR, electronic brake force distribution, six air bags (driver/passenger/side ), curtain airbags along all three rows, automatic electric parking brake with hill assist function, and fasten seat belt warnings on all seats.
Indeed the Peugeot 5008 is the only car in its segment with curtain airbags that protect all three rows of passengers. All three seats in the middle row have ISOFIX child seat fixtures.
The 5008 is available in Ireland with a 1.6 HDi FAP 110bhp six-speed manual emitting 140g/km CO2, qualifying for €156 annual road tax and for the Government scrappage allowance of €1,500.
An electronically controlled six-speed Ecomatique gearbox option is available, also qualifying for €156 annual road tax (135g/CO2 ) and Government scrappage. Peugeot claims the Eco gearbox offers a real alternative to automatic drivers faced with high road tax costs in Ireland.
