Motor manufacturers in general are always struggling and searching to produce the new must have product.
Think back a few years and who had ever heard of an SUV or an MPV, and we need to go back only to 2002 to understand the concept of an SW.
To me a SW is an estate car, but Peugeot saw another niche in the market.
Peugeot suggest that a SW is a stylish innovative alternative for those customers who found that a hatchback perhaps lacked the flexibility and size they required but they were not convinced by an ordinary boring estate car.
Hence the SW was born, and of course Peugeot have rolled the concept out to the 407 and to the 207.
They suggest that the SW is synonymous with a truly modern lifestyle car, to me it is just another name for a type of vehicle which is extremely popular for the family orientated market and a useful acquisition in to the smaller car fraternity.
I do like manufacturers that retain a corporate style and there is no doubt whatsoever that the 308 SW from the frontal dynamics is a Peugeot.
It shares the whole frontal area with its sibling the 308 hatchback and I think this is commendable. The rear is a somewhat curvaceous design, far, far removed from slab-like effects seen on certain “estate” manufacturers.
The interior of the 308 is like renewing an old friendship, the design of the fascia panel is identical to the hatchback model.
This well proven design gives a feeling entirely in keeping with the design of the passenger compartment in so far that it has a sloping angular design to the dashboard and I do like the flowing lines and the degree of elegance in its styling.
The feeling of space and comfort are upper most and this is a commendable feature of the 308.
The rear seats of the vehicle are multi-purpose; the 308 SW could if necessary seat seven occupants because there are two occasional seats that can be fitted in to a third row.
One big feature of course is that these extra seats can be folded flat and then with the second conventional rear seats folded as well, you have a huge flat floor area which makes the loading of bulky items so much easier.
I also like the fact that the SW enables you to have an object-moving vehicle extraordinaire, in addition to a comfortable vehicle to transport your four or five people in comfort.
The rear opening tailgate glass is a clever design feature, and the low sill again aids access and the ease of which items can be placed in to the boot.
Those of you who have studied Peugeot brochures will be aware that there are and will be a wide range of engines.
A choice between 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre petrol equipped with the five-speed manual in the smaller less powerful petrols, or four-speed automatic or six-speed manual in the slightly more powerful, are choices to be made.
The two diesel options are both 1.6 litre producing either 90 bhp or 110 bhp or a more powerful two-litre producing 136 bhp. Where I think people will now look more carefully is at the CO2 figures.
The petrols range between a not too low 155 up to 194 and the diesels commence at 125, and top out a quite heady 187, and this in the days now of excessive fuel price is going to be quite an important feature if you can save some of the excise licence to defer your fuel bill.
As you would expect from a mainstream manufacturer the standard specification is quite good. There are three trim levels for the 308 SW and they are badged as an S, Sport and a SE.
The S has a plethora of air bags, trip computer, central locking, electric front windows, a decent radio CD player with six speakers, and air conditioning.
If Sport is the one that tips your hat then look for 17-inch alloy wheels, a better quality radio, third row of seats, the rear windows become electrically operated and you will find cruise control among features that are now standard.
The top specification SE has a different variety of alloy wheels, the air conditioning is improved, and in addition you will find items that you could probably live without, for example tyre pressure sensors.
As a direct comparison with the predecessor it is once again conformation that like human beings cars are getting bigger with each new model. For example the 308 is longer, has a longer wheelbase, is higher and has greater carrying capacity than the vehicle that it has replaced.
Where comparisons are important are in respect of the engine configurations. The designers and engineers have done some serious work on reducing the important figures.
The performance aspect as you would expect has increased but the emissions have decreased somewhat dramatically.
The old 307 had a CO figure varying between 134 to 194, the new ones now have managed to reduce the entry threshold to 125 and this is important.
Prices for the new range start at £14,395 for the S, 1.4 litre and the top specification SE with a 136-diesel automatic is £20,845.
There are 10 exterior colours and like most manufacturers now Peugeot is now introducing a solid colour called Bianca White, because if you look around closely you will see that white is rapidly becoming the new silver for cars.
Peugeot gives a three-year peace of mind package and this is limited to 60,000 miles and 12-year anti-perforation warranty and a one-year Peugeot Assistance operated by the AA is also included.
By Bob Hickman
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