It’s the one where the CGI whale jumps over the road and car and lands in the sea on the other side of the bridge, much to the obvious amazement of the family inside said car.
I’ve been waiting all week for something similar to happen.
Even a pike or a trout would have been good, but despite driving over almost every bridge within a 100-mile radius, absolutely nothing remotely fishy occurred.
Ad people, eh? What are they like?
In reality, the 5008 I drove, fitted with the incredible 1.2-litre three-cylinder diesel engine, isn’t about acrobatic whales at all, it’s all about the figures.
It’s not hard to see why this engine has won so many awards.
For such a physically big car (although it tips the scales at 1.3 tonnes) you’d normally think a 1.2-litre engine would barely pull the epidermis off a rice-based milk dessert. Not the case.
This smooth and hushed turbocharged unit has a really elastic power delivery and pulls hard and strong from ridiculously low revs without any hint of lag or delay.
And not only does it go well and sound good in a gruff, off-beat way, it’s also pretty efficient. Even though it’ll top 117mph and rattle off the sprint to 62mph in a shade over 10 seconds, it still offers 54mpg and a CO2 output of 120g/km.
In sixth gear at 60mph, this engine is only running at 1,750rpm. For company car types, this frugality equates to a 23% benefit-in-kind.
Like any SUV, it’s not an exciting drive but special mention must go to the so-called i-Cockpit which makes this car stand out from the crowd.
Focused on the digital dash and Peugeot trademark Frisbee-sized multi-function steering wheel, this LED ambientlit driver’s suite is very nice indeedy. Very premium.
The dash lets you configure your view of the world, be it sat nav commands, vehicle data or just oldfashinoed speed and rev info. I say old-fashioned but the virtual speedo needle sweeps clockwise, while the rev counter goes in the opposite direction.
Why? I don’t know. Maybe they let the advertising department design that bit.
With this dashboard capability I don’t really understand why they stuck a massively distracting 8in LCD screen in the central console, though.
Surely this info could be integrated into the dash to keep the driver’s eyes pointing forwards? In its defence, the 180 degree, colour reversing camera (shown in the central screen) is crisp and clear, day or night.
The three rows of seats are pretty clever, too. It’s super simple to fold them up or down and when they’re down (even the front passenger seat) they offer a completely flat loading area.
Obviously, this being a French car and the French being a nation of picnic lovers, the seat backs have foldout tables for le picnic. Or Filthy Ron drive-thrus.
And now, price and how much kit you get for that price. The range starts with Active trim at £24,495. Get all giddy and at the top is GT trim at £35,895.
These figures and the generous amount of standard kit and caboodle stacks up well against other rivals. The 5008 rides well and is a comfortable, hushed and efficient family car.
Personally, I’d look no further than the amazing 1.2 PureTech motor and mid-spec Allure trim and avoid the salesman’s silver-tongued banter when it comes to costly optional extras that probably won’t do much for resale value/depreciation.
Don’t expect any acrobatic sea mammals, either.
FACT-FILE
Peugeot 5008 PureTech130 Allure EAT6
Price: £27,695
Engine: 1,199cc, three-cyl turbo diesel
Power: 131PS
Torque:230Nm
Top speed: 117mph
0-62mph: 10.4 seconds
Ecomomy: 54.3mpg combined (claimed)
CO2: 120g/km
For: Posh and fully loaded
Against: Distracting central screen
Sum up: Big bangs for your bucks
