Peugeot 308 SW saddles up

Peugeot is touting its latest small wagon, the 308 SW, as one of the roomiest and most efficient in its class, ahead of its UK launch in June priced from £16,845, or roughly $30,000.

Although Peugeot is yet to decide whether the wagon will be sold in Australia, the new 308 hatch will be launched here in October.

Peugeot currently offers two 308 SW models in Australia -- a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol ($35,490) and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel ($38,990) -- but it's not clear if the slow-selling wagon will survive beyond the current generation locally.

In Europe the new 308 SW will be offered with three engine types -- a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, plus 1.6- and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines, generating between 69 and 112kW of power.

Peugeot's new 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is the sole petrol model, offered in two states of tune -- 82kW and 97kW.

Four trim levels are offered in the UK -- Access, Active, Velour and Feline -- with the latter topping out at £25,145 or around $45,000.

The new model is built at Peugeot's Sochaux plant in France and is based on the same EMP2 modular platform as the 308 hatch. As such, the new models have ultra-low CO2 emissions, claims Peugeot, with engine idle-stop systems included.

A direct rivals for vehicles like the Hyundai i30 Tourer ($22,990) and Renault Megane Sportwagon ($26,490), the new model boasts 660 litres of rear cargo space under the parcel shelf before the rear seats are folded flat, which can be achieved via a single action from the boot.

Once the extra space is liberated, the boot has a 1660-litre capacity. The car is also claimed to be 140kg lighter than the current 308 SW sold in Australia.

All models are offered as standard with LED daytime running lights at the front and LED brake lights at the rear, along with remote central locking, cruise control, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and a digital radio.

Up-spec models add larger alloy wheels, up to 18-inch in diameter for Feline models, dual zone air-conditioning, electric handbrake, leather upholstery, auto headlights and wipers plus a touch-screen infotainment system.

Other features on top-end models include full LED headlights, parking proximity sensors, reversing camera, panoramic glass roof, keyless entry and engine start, and safety features including radar cruise control and an automatic emergency collision braking system.

The 308 was recently voted the 2014 European car of the Year at the Geneva motor show and forms the basis of the new 308 R hot hatch, which will follow the May launch of the RCZ R.