Is there no end to the number of permutations of the MPV that the French car makers will turn their hands to? The ink is barely dry on the first drives of the 3008 crossover and Peugeot is revealing its next 'double O' model, the all-new 5008 people carrier.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that the new car is an estate; it's certainly much more rakish and car-like than most of its rivals, but under that shapely new body is an interior set to excite family buyers more than the latest Maxi Cosi catalogue arriving in the post.

Unlike the recently redesigned Renault Grand Scenic, all of the 5008's rear seats fold into the floor, creating a flat load space from rear loading lip to the front seats. In fact, the front passenger's seat also tilts forward to create a shelf on which you can put your Ikea shelving. Neat, huh?

Peugeot is obviously aiming its new addition at the higher end of the market, with space, luxury and equipment top of the 5008's list of priorities. It will also be available with a wealth of new technology, such as a Head-Up Display, Distance Alert and a new function built into the ESP system to make driving on ice and snow an easier task. As yet we don't know how much of all this will be standard, though you can be sure that the 5008 will pack plenty of safety kit in so that it scores highly in the all-important Euro NCAP crash tests.

Turbodiesel power will dominate the sales charts and Peugeot will offer its 1.6-litre HDi unit in 110bhp guise with either a six-speed manual or an electronically controlled six-speed 'box. The latter is actually the most efficient model in the line-up with CO₂ of 135g/km and 54.3mpg on the combined cycle, though we hope it has improved from previous jerky iterations of this system.

A 2.0-litre HDi engine is also offered, putting out 150bhp in the six-speed manual model or 163bhp when specified in conjunction with a six-speed automatic transmission. Petrol alternatives come in the form of either a 120bhp 1.6-litre or a 156bhp turbocharged version of the same engine.

Pricing and final line-up will be announced following the 5008's world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Deliveries start early in 2010.