Peugeot has revealed the new 308 SW in Europe. It is a station wagon version of the five-door sedan sibling that launched earlier in 2021. The new wagon is slightly longer than its predecessor and comes with certain cosmetic updates. It also has an upmarket cabin and is offered with a choice of petrol, diesel as well as a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The new offering from the French automaker will go on sale in January 2022.
The Peugeot 308 SW flaunts a visually similar design to its hatch sibling ahead of the B-pillars but, the rear-end design is different from both its sibling and predecessor, with its larger body. It is 4.64 meters long compared to 4.36 meters for its sedan sibling. The wheelbase is 2.73 meters, a 22 mm increase over the compact. The rear overhang protrudes 21 centimetres more to give it the classic wagon structure. It is even 60mm longer than its predecessor.
On the front, there’s a large grille with chrome studs, flanked by unique matrix LED headlights. The hood gives the front a bold muscular stance. Coming to the side, it is flanked by roof rails, blacked-out B-pillars, ORVMs, and designer 16- to 18-inch wheels. The rear has wrap-around LED taillights, faux twin exhaust tips, and a window wiper. The new 308 SW will be available in seven body colours.
The cabin of the new wagon looks quite futuristic and spacious. The dash area is similar to its sedan sibling and houses the two 10.0-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment console. Another familiar element in the Peugeot’s i-Cockpit dashboard design is the flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel. The heated front seats can be adjusted in various ways and also offers a massage function. On the centre console, the classic automatic selector lever has been replaced with buttons. The area also houses the start button and the driving modes selector switch.
The cabin comes wrapped in luxury materials, and depending on the variant, one can choose between Alcantara, embossed leather or coloured Nappa leather. The cabin’s luxury is complemented with a sunroof. The new 308 SW has a trunk capacity of 608 litres that comes with handy features such as a 12V power outlet, two storage nets, bag hooks, and LED lighting. This cargo space can be increased to 1,634 litres, thanks to the folding rear seats that are designed in a 40/20/40 ratio.
The Peugeot 308 SW comes with a choice of two plug-in hybrid powertrains with an option of either a 150hp or 180hp petrol engine. The rest of the specs shared by them include a 12.4kWh battery pack, an 81kW electric motor, and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Both powertrains deliver a combined output of 180hp and 225hp, respectively. The battery has a standalone drive range of around 60 km (37 miles) as per WLTP. With the standard charger, the charging time is around 7 hours, while with the optional 7.4 kW charger, it can be fully charged in an hour and a half.
The wagon will also be offered with conventional powertrains. There’s the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that’s available on the five-door model. These are tuned to churn out an output of either 110hp or 130 hp depending on the trim. A 1.5-litre diesel mill is also available which delivers 130hp. The transmission duty is handled by either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Peugeot has packed the 308 SW with the latest generation of semi-autonomous driving aids, for even greater safety. It has the Drive Assist 2.0 pack that will combine adaptive cruise control with stop and go function with lane keep assist, while new capabilities include semi-automatic lane changing and automatic speed adaption for curves in the road.
The Peugeot 308 SW will be manufactured at the Stellantis’ Mulhouse plant. Prices have not been disclosed by the French automaker yet, but expect more details by the end of the year.
