Peugeot 308

Seven up for new 308 SW

French firm adds performance and practicality to its family-friendly 308

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Ross Pinnock

19th February 2008

There will be a double dose of space and speed from Peugeot at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The new load-lugging 308 SW provides the extra room, and the 308 GT the vroom.

The practical estate will hit UK showrooms in June, and replaces the 307 SW. While it shares the familiar look of the 308 hatchback up front, it’s all change at the rear, thanks to a distinctive window profile and longer bodywork. The huge panoramic glass roof is even bigger than its predecessor’s, and the car’s extra length means there is enough space for a pair of occasional seats in the boot.

This optional third row makes the 308 a seven-seater, while the trio of individual chairs that make up the second row are identical in size and are all easy to remove. This provides endless seating combinations.

Another practical touch is the rear windscreen, which opens separately to improve access to the boot. Lug-gage capacity is 674 litres with the middle row of seats in place, but if you fold them flat, there’s an incredible 2,149 litres of space available.

When the load-lugger arrives in UK showrooms – carrying a price premium of around £850 over standard versions of the 308 – buyers will be able to choose from a broad line-up of petrol and diesel powerplants.

These range from a 1.4-litre petrol unit producing 95bhp to a 136bhp 2.0-litre oil-burner capable of returning 49.6mpg. Smaller 1.4 and 1.6-litre HDi diesels return 60.1mpg and 57.7mpg respectively, with CO2 emissions of 125g/km and 129g/km.

Hot hatch fans will be more interested in the new turbocharged version of the family hatchback. The 308 GT THP 175 has a long name, but it shares its 175bhp 1.6-litre engine with the 207 GTi. This powerplant is mated to an all-new six-speed manual transmission, and propels the 308 from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds.

It promises 37.1mpg fuel economy, while CO2 emissions are rated at 180g/km. Styling updates include a lower front bumper and purposeful rear spoiler, and the hot GT also gets lowered suspension to give improved handling and agility. Sporty additions inside comprise an aluminium gearknob and matching pedals, plus a new three-spoke steering wheel.

The flagship model, which is available only in three-door guise, arrives in showrooms here in April, and is likely to cost around £18,500.