Peugeot aims to make its vehicles safer than ever

Peugeot’s new 5008 compact MPV has been awarded five stars by Euro NCAP under its more stringent 2009 test protocol. The new test called the Euro NCAP global rating combines the scores from all the different individual tests, Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and the new area of assessment, Safety Assist. Under the new test, vehicles are awarded a single total score from one to five stars. The entire range of previous tests is still included but now points are also awarded for Rear Impact (Whiplash) Protection and the availability of ESP and speed limiting systems. Safety is always a crucial factor in the design of any new Peugeot vehicle.

The 5008, therefore, has benefited from Peugeot’s wide experience and also from the latest technological advances to ensure it provides its occupants the highest levels of safety. The Peugeot 5008 sets new standards in terms of safety and driving comfort with the introduction of new and innovative technologies into the compact MPV segment. It is designed structurally to dissipate impact energy in a designed and controlled way. At the front it has three impact absorption structures to ensure maximum protection in a front impact. At the side, the ‘B’ post has been specially strengthened and the design of the doors and side structure ensure maximum rigidity and create a solid barrier to protect the occupants. The rear of the vehicle has been designed to incorporate an aluminium impact beam to absorb impact forces and ensure maximum protection in a rear impact. To provide the best possible protection for pedestrians, the Peugeot 5008 incorporates a pedestrian impact beam and protective padding to help reduce the extent of leg and thigh injuries. In addition, the design of the bonnet and the shape of the inner frame ensure maximum space is available under the bonnet to limit head injuries, if a pedestrian was to hit the bonnet. To supplement the performance of the structure in terms of impact resistance, a range of protection devices has been developed to restrain and protect the occupants:

A total of six airbags are fitted as standard on all models:

Two adaptive front airbags (Passenger airbag can be deactivated to fit a rear-facing child seat) • Two side air bags
Two head / curtain airbags covering all three rows of seats To restrain the occupants, seven three-point inertia reel seat belts with a fasten seat belt warning system are fitted. At the front, pretensioners and force limiters are fitted. To protect occupants in a rear impact from possible ‘whiplash’ injuries, the front and rear head restraints and the design of the seats ensure good support for the head.

The Peugeot 5008 also provides high levels of child safety with three Isofix child seat mountings to ensure child safety seats are attached directly to the vehicle structure. All mountings are of the latest three point design and are available on all the passenger seats in the second row. The 5008 is also equipped with an electrically operated child safety system which automatically locks the rear doors and disables the electric rear windows, all from a switch operated by the driver. Active safety is also a strong point with the standard fitment on all models of ABS with EBFD / EBA, ESP and traction control, Xenon directional headlamps and tyre pressure sensors are also available as an option. With the launch of the new Peugeot 5008 on to the UK market in January 2010, no longer will it be necessary to compromise on safety when choosing a family compact MPV. Now a family compact MPV can provide top levels of safety, a spacious luxurious interior and low emissions ensuring low taxation and running costs.

Peugeot have also introduced added grip control on L1 HDi 90 850 kg van and crew van models.

Recently introduced on the Peugeot 3008 Crossover, Peugeot’s innovative Grip Control system is now available on L1 HDi 90 850 Partner van models, in both S and SE trim levels, as part of an All Terrain Option Pack.

Combined with the Grip Control the option also includes under-engine protection tray, up-rated 195/70 R15 tyres, one-touch electric front windows, remote control central door locking, electric heated mirrors and passenger airbag with deactivation switch. When the option is selected on SE trim level vehicles, one-touch electric front windows, remote control central door locking and electric heated mirrors are already included as standard. The All-Terrain Option Pack strengthens further the functionality and versatility of the Partner van, especially the inclusion of the innovative traction control system – Grip Control. Grip Control consists of an enhanced traction control system and up-rated tyres. It is aimed at customers looking for a small van that offers enhanced "all terrain" capabilities, in terms of traction compared to that of a "traditional" small van, regardless of the type of terrain encountered. The aim of the system is to optimise the traction of both front wheels by using clever electronic control, incorporated within the ESP electronic control unit (ECU). Controlling the system electronically allows the system to be more efficient and effective than a conventional mechanical limited slip differential. Five individual operating modes are available which can be selected by the driver and are accessible via a dedicated control mounted on the central fascia panel. The operating modes are: Standard mode, where the ESP is calibrated for a low level of wheel slip based on the different grip levels found on normal road surfaces. Snow mode adapts the calibration of the system to provide the best traction for each of the front wheels when the van is pulling away. As the van increases speed, the system optimises the traction control to guarantee the best possible acceleration according to the existing grip conditions. It returns to Standard mode when a speed in excess of 31 mph is detected. All-terrain mode (mud, dirt track, wet grass, etc), allows a high level of slip on the least stable wheel when pulling away to remove excess mud and improve grip. At the same time, the wheel with the strongest grip level is given as much torque as possible. The torque offset between the front wheels can be as much as 100 %, well above the limits achievable by a mechanical limited slip differential (LSD). As the van gains speed, the system optimises wheel slip to give the driver the best possible control over the vehicle. This mode is active up to a speed of 50 mph. Sand mode allows slight wheel slip on both drive wheels simultaneously to allow the small van to make headway and reduce the risk of getting stuck in the sand. Here again, the control provided by this mode is superior to that of a limited slip differential (LSD). In this mode, Standard mode is reconnected automatically above a speed of 75 mph. ESP Off mode allows the possibility of disconnecting the dynamic stability control (ESP) and Grip Control up to a speed of 31 mph, giving full control back to the driver. Above this speed, "ESP Standard" mode is reconnected automatically The All Terrain Option Pack is only available on L1 HDi 90 850 kg models, including the Crew van, and costs £750 for S trim models and £640 for SE trim models, excluding V.A.T.

Author: Lee Sibbald, February 25, 2010
Filed under: Fleet news,Peugeot