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New PEUGEOT 308 SW (Station Wagon) is Spacious & Gracious.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW is Spacious & Gracious.

Featuring the brand’s new badge with the Lion at the centre of its new vertical radiator grille, the new Peugeot 308 SW (station wagon/estate) presents a powerful stance with bold proportions. Its sensual and sharp design reveal an assertive and unique personality, while providing practicality and modularity too. Estates are sleek, spacious and hugely practical, and they usually offer vastly better driving dynamics than a crossover or SUV too.

Increased Dimensions.

Based on the third-generation 308 family hatchback, the SW measures in at 270mm longer and 10mm taller than its hatchback sibling, but it has the same powertrain choices: petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid. The 1.2-litre PureTech petrol, and 1.5-litre BlueHDi turbo-diesel engines both produce 130PS, while the petrol/electric plug-in hybrid comes with 180PS or 225PS depending on the trim variant chosen. In all cases, power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission that promises outstanding refinement and impressive fuel efficiency. The new 308 SW is available in entry-level Active, mid-spec Allure and range-topping GT trim levels – all of which are generously equipped in terms of comfort, convenience, connectivity, safety and drivability. The new 308’s upmarket interior looks and feels on par with premium-brand rivals, and it scores highly for comfort too, while rear seat passengers have plenty of leg and headroom to make use of. The SW’s boot space measures in at 608-litres with all five seats in place, but this can be extended to a cavernous 1634-litres when the rear seats are folded down.

Enhanced Infotainment.

The PEUGEOT i-cockpit is part of the brand’s DNA. With each generation, it has been enhanced and modernised. With this new Peugeot 308, it marks a clear change in terms of ergonomics, quality, design and technology. The new compact steering wheel includes sensors which can detect the driver’s grip on the steering wheel when using the new driving aids. Ergonomic, heated (optional), it includes all the helpful controls: radio, media and telephone. The instrument cluster, located at eye level, has a 10 inch digital panel as standard across all grades. In the GT trim, the cluster is 3 dimensional. Fully configurable and customisable, this digital cluster has several display modes (TomTom connected Navigation, DAB Radio/Media, Driving Aids, Energy Flow, etc.) that can be modified directly from the stalk. From the Allure grade, the new 308 includes fully configurable virtual i-toggles which enable customers to create their preferred shortcuts. Positioned opposite the central screen, like an open book, they provide a unique look and level of technology in the segment. Each i-toggle is a touch-sensitive shortcut key to the air conditioning settings, a telephone contact, a radio station, an application launch set up according to the driver’s choice. The new infotainment system gives all occupants the very best of the smartphone world and the best of the automotive world.

Test Car.

My test car was a new Peugeot 308 SW Allure Diesel, which was finished in Avatar Blue  metallic paintwork, with contrasting Nera Black door mirror casings. The 1499cc engine produces 130PS and 300Nm of torque, and this enables the car to complete a 0-100km/h sprint in just 10.6-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 207km/h (where permitted). On a WLTP combined driving cycle, it is possible to achieve fuel consumption as low as 4.3-litres for every 100km driven, thereby making it possible to drive for up to 1,200kms between fill-ups, courtesy of the standard 52-litre fuel tank. The SW feels virtually identical to the hatchback in terms of its drivability, and its suspension remains composed over rough roads and speed bumps. The small and sporty steering wheel is lovely to grab hold of, and it reacts quickly to driver inputs, while a strong brake pedal feel ensures driver confidence in all circumstances. The slick automatic transmission makes getting from A-to-B a fuss-free affair, and this certainly enhances the overall driving experience. Key standard Allure features include rear privacy glass, a 180-degree colour reversing camera with front & rear parking sensors, keyless entry, push-button start, multi driving mode selector, 17-inch alloy wheels, gloss black rear cluster connecting strip, Connected 3D Navigation, PEUGEOT i-Connect (activated by using “OK PEUGEOT”, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay™, driver and front passenger comfort seats, high beam assist, and signature LED daytime running lights, along with Active Safety Brake, and a Drive Assist Pack consisting of Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, and Long Range Active Blind Spot Detection.

Verdict, Pricing & Warranty.

The all-new Peugeot 308 SW is one of the most attractive, most distinctive and most desirable estate cars on the market, and it drives every bit as well as it looks. The SW continues Peugeot’s run of eye-catching and stylish designs, and it has been given a unique look at the rear, with a redesigned bumper and larger glass area. The new ergonomic and intuitive PEUGEOT i-Cockpit™ offers easy access to the full range of features on offer, while the new instrument panel ensures that all information essential to the driver is displayed at eye level. Pricing for the new Peugeot 308 SW starts at €32,765 (ex-works), with my test car priced at €39,080. All new Peugeot passenger cars are covered by a comprehensive 5-year/100,000km warranty, along with Peugeot Assist breakdown cover for the same duration/mileage limitation.

Visit www.peugeot.ie for further information.

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