The Peugeot 5008 e-HDi has better fuel economy, which is a boon to those who clock a lot of mileage.文件倉 By CY ChewLET'S face it. When you have screaming kids, groceries to bring home and bicycles to lug, probably the last thing on your mind when deciding which MPV to buy is how good it looks or whether its kinder on the environment.For buyers of multi-purpose vehicles, space, versatility and ease of driving are probably at the top of their wish list.But one important attribute some overlook is fuel economy. And the latest Peugeot has that.The Peugeot 5008 has been available here since 2011 but it now comes with a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine coupled to a six-speed automated manual transmission that Peugeot calls EGC or Electronic Gearbox Control.On paper, the Peugeot 5008 e-HDi offers a viable alternative to the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol version as it has more torque (270 Nm vs 240 Nm) albeit with less power (112 hp vs 156 hp), plus better fuel economy. And since the pump price for diesel is lower than petrol, it's a boon for soccer moms and dads who clock a lot of mileage.So let's get the bad part out of the way first. The transmission on the 5008 e-HDI is - to put it bluntly - just no good. It's no worse than any other automated manual but it's the wrong transmission to have on a people mover. Driving it smoothly takes skill, something reinforced by even the person selling it.Basically one has to anticipate a gear change and lift off the throttle momentarily (in full auto mode) or else shift manually, which still necessitates backing off the gas before shifting with the column-mounted paddles.While these kind of antics might be fun if it is a 208 equipped with the same gearbox, in an MPV, it just makes the drive jerky, especially when one is in a hurry and heavy on the throttle.Driven at a much more sedate pace, the shifts are smoother but can't beat a standard five-speed automatic anytime. The only reason we can think of why Peugeot has it on all their 1.6-litre turbodie存倉el models is to get better fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. Fuel economy during our test drive averaged a credible 15 km per litre.The good news is that other than the poorly matched gearbox, the 5008 has lots to offer starting with styling that is more Moschino than Mothercare.While not as adventurous as the smaller 3008, the 5008 looks swoopy and with the panoramic sunroof, it gives not just the driver but also passengers the airy, open air feel of driving around in a convertible minus the heat and haze.Ride comfort is exemplary and visibility to all corners is good. The 16-inch alloys and tyres provide adequate grip and the only quibble is that the braking is a tad overly assisted.Then again, when the car is fully loaded with five adults and two kids, the last thing you want is underpowered brakes. Yes, in theory one can seat seven adults but those in the last row of seats won't be very comfortable in journeys lasting more than 15 minutes.Furthermore, with the last row occupied, there is close to zero luggage space - something that plagues most seven-seater MPVs, not just the 5008. Fold the last row down though, and you'll have space for five golf bags for that weekend escape from the kids.The rest of the cabin is well-appointed with head-up display for the driver, Bluetooth radio/phone connectivity, folddown picnic tables for passengers in the middle row and generous door pockets that can swallow big 1.25-litre soda bottles. If your annual mileage is giving taxi drivers a run for their money and you enjoy the challenge of mastering the automated manual, the 5008 e-HDI is a consideration. Otherwise, just bite the bullet and go with the petrol version that cost $10,000 more.btnews@sph.com.sgSPECSPeugeot 5008 e-HDiEngine 1,560cc turbodieselTransmission 6-speed automated manualMax power 112 hp @ 3,600rpmMax torque 270 Nm @ 1,750rpm0-100 kmh 13.3 secsTop speed 183 kmhCO2 emissions 126 g/kmAverage OMV $26,000Price $151,800 (with COE)Distributor Auto FranceTel 6376 2288自存倉
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