The ALL NEW Peugeot 308 SW, the next chapter in Peugeot's turnaround

• Estate car with all the strengths of the New 308 hatchback
• Versatile and practical load area designed for everyday use
• PEUGEOT i-Cockpit interior with 9.7-inch touch-screen means fantastic infotainment experience
• Wide range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, including debut of ‘PureTech’ three-cylinder turbo
• Built on lightweight and innovative EMP2 chassis

“PEUGEOT continues its product offensive with the new 308 SW, which combines design and quality, functionality and high values, to boost the success of the 308 and the Brand’s move up-market.”
Xavier Peugeot, PEUGEOT Product Director.

Building on the arrival of the critically acclaimed New 308, PEUGEOT has unveiled its latest model, the New 308 SW. It’s a dynamic estate car with a performance-oriented design, outstanding load space and impeccable road manners.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: the market place
PEUGEOT’s heritage with C-segment estate cars is long and proud. Since the arrival of the 304 in 1969, every generation of the 300 series has included a successful estate variant.

The arrival of the New 308 SW is timely, representing the only major introduction in the sector this year. The proportion of estates in the European C-segment has been stable for many years, accounting for around 10% of the sector. Customers for estates are younger, more dynamic and more male than in general for the C segment. They are represented by working couples, with or without children, who use their vehicle intensively and cover the highest mileage in the segment. They require considerable versatility, without having to make any sacrifices in the comfort, driving enjoyment and styling of their vehicle.

The PEUGEOT 308 SW meets their expectations by concentrating on the basic requirements for this segment in four key areas – design, efficiency/functionality, driving experience and quality.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: a fluid and dynamic design

“Designed at the same time as the hatchback and by the same people, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW includes all of the qualities of the hatchback – fluidity, modernity – while still creating a ‘dynamic estate’ silhouette, very suggestive and full of promise.”
Gilles VIDAL, PEUGEOT Design Director.

As with the New 308 hatchback, PEUGEOT’s designers wanted the estate version to showcase simplicity, balance and fluidity of style. The front end shares the character of its sibling, so includes the ‘floating’ grille framed in chrome flanked by expressive, emblematic headlamps. Full LED technology – 31 per headlamp – is fitted as standard on the upper trim levels, providing a technical and distinctive lighting signature.

The profile of the PEUGEOT 308 SW benefits from a wheelbase and rear overhang that are 11cm and 22cm longer respectively than the hatchback. It means the model takes its place among the most ‘balanced’ estates in the segment.

The stretched yet slender look is highlighted by a bright chrome window finisher, surrounding the entire glazed area and giving the car a very sophisticated look. For the large rear quarter light, this finisher is in one piece and with a varying cross-section. The drop in the roof line, the angle formed at the back with the rear screen and the integration of the discrete aluminium roof bars complete the look.

At the rear end, the rear lamps flow round from the sides as on the hatchback, adopting a striking and very contemporary signature through the use of up to 48 LEDs. The design echoes that of the 508 SW and 508 RXH, placing the new PEUGEOT 308 SW among the brand’s family of great estate cars.

The result is an extremely aerodynamic design, with a Cd figure of 0.28 that’s among the best of any estate car on the market today.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: an exceptionally practical family estate
With a length of 4,585 mm, width of 1,804 mm and height of 1,471mm, the PEUGEOT 308 SW offers ideal dimensions to allow it to meet the fundamental expectations of estate customers in the segment, particularly as regards the spaciousness of the interior and the volume of the boot.

The car’s generous dimensions allow it to offer volumes that are among the best in the segment. The boot below the parcel shelf is an impressive 660-litres, which includes 70-litres of storage under the floor.

The new car is fitted as standard with ‘Magic Flat’ rear seats which are both easy and intuitive to use. This system allows instant folding of both parts of the rear seat using levers accessible on the sides of the boot. Thanks to the automatic lowering of the rear seat cushions, the result is a flat floor and 1,660-litres of luggage space.

However, that’s only half the story. The boot aperture has a width of up to 106cm and a length to the rear seat backs of 107cm. It has vertical side walls with minimal wheel arch intrusion and, for convenience the load sill is among the lowest of any estate car.

Movable/removable dividers can be positioned in various positions to create appropriate security for loads, while an elastic strap on the left side trim allows smaller objects to be held in place. Storage is provided for the luggage cover and the removable lashing hooks in dedicated housings under the boot floor.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: a modern and bright interior

“With the new PEUGEOT 308 SW, the brand returns in the most beautiful way to the fundamental values of the estate car. The new 308 SW successfully marries attractive and dynamic styling with a remarkable spaciousness and boot volume.”
Vincent DEVOS, PEUGEOT 308 Product Manager.

Based on the innovative PEUGEOT i-Cockpit from the hatchback, the SW’s interior comprises four elements – a compact steering wheel for a dynamic driving experience, a head-up instrument panel so information can be read without the driver taking their eyes off the road, a tall centre console and a 9.7-inch touch-screen for intuitive access to infotainment functions.

It is this latter component which is at the heart of the 308 SW’s innovative approach. The display allows operation of air-conditioning, driving assistance systems, multimedia, navigation, telephone and vehicle settings. Seven buttons, split between the left and right sides, allow the user to quickly switch between them.

For the driver, the instrument panel has been perfectly integrated into the dashboard and is designed as a high-precision technical interface. The recesses for the dials are pulled out wide and the symmetrical rotation of the needles helps easy reading of the information. On higher trim levels the surrounds of the speedometer and rev counter, as well as the needles, are finished in chrome.

For the ultimate feeling of spaciousness in the cabin, the car is available with a huge 1.6 m2 glass panoramic roof, which can be fully covered with an electric blind.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: advanced EMP2 chassis at the heart of the car
As with the hatchback, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW is built around the PSA Group’s state-of-the-art Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2) platform. This allows considerable flexibility in configuration and settings, particularly for length. The extended wheelbase is used entirely for space at the rear, particularly for back seat passenger knee room and boot volume. Access to the rear seats is optimised by the opening of the wider rear doors and by moving the rear seats back by 29mm compared to the hatchback.

As with its sibling, the estate offers an overall weight reduction of 140kg compared to its predecessor. As a result, when compared by equivalent engine and equipment, it’s the lightest vehicle in the segment. The weight reduction includes; 27kg from the use of innovative steels, composite materials and aluminium; 10kg due to innovative assembly processes; and 33kg through optimised design, such as the thermo-plastic tailgate.

This, coupled with the repositioning of major units and the reduced height of the new PEUGEOT 308 SW, has placed the centre of gravity 20mm lower than on the outgoing model.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: clean and powerful engines
From launch, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW benefits from a range of ultra-efficient Euro 6 petrol and diesel engines. For petrol, power outputs range from 130 to 155bhp with CO2 emissions from 109g/km. The range will include the new three-cylinder turbocharged petrol versions – 110 and 130bhp. This will mark the showroom debut of PEUGEOT’s innovative new ‘PureTech’ powertrains. Modular and compact, clean and powerful, they are a blend of efficiency and the latest technology, with high pressure direct injection.

Diesel units go from 92 to 150bhp with CO2 figures that do not exceed 111g/km. Likely to prove popular with buyers is the new BlueHDi 1.6-litre 120bhp diesel which, when linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, has Combined Cycle fuel consumption of 88.3mpg and emissions of 85g/km. This is a record in the segment.

BlueHDi is the brand’s Euro 6 diesel engine and three will be available at launch; the BlueHDi 1.6-litre 100bhp coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox, the BlueHDi 1.6-litre 120bhp with six-speed manual gearbox, and the BlueHDi 2.0-litre 150bhp, available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Also helping to make the 308 SW a more environmentally aware vehicle are the ultra-low rolling resistance tyres developed in an exclusive partnership with Michelin. These provide average savings in CO2 emissions of 3g/km, with reduced braking distances on wet roads and wear rates identical to standard tyres. They will be fitted to more than a third of models.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: ride and handling of the highest quality
The driving experience offered by the new PEUGEOT 308 SW is based on the brand’s years of experience married with the intrinsic qualities of the new EMP2 platform.

The lower centre of gravity has allowed for better body rigidity and has been in part achieved by the lighter suspension components. These are a pseudo-MacPherson strut at the front and a deformable beam at the rear. Optimisation of the running gear allows the turning circle to be reduced by 20cm compared to its predecessor and it is now 11.2 metres between kerbs.

At the rear, the innovative installation of the dampers over the arms improves performance, for better ride and handling. In addition, the handling, when laden is excellent because the lower centre of gravity and the longer wheelbase improves weight distribution without affecting the vehicle’s dynamic qualities.

The brake discs – ventilated at the front and rear with dimensions up to 304 x 28mm – are optimised for weight and resistance to friction losses. The PEUGEOT 308 SW benefits from an electric parking brake using motorised brake callipers, ESP, sophisticated intelligent traction control and Hill Start Assist.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: packed with useful safety technology
To provide an even more comfortable and assured drive, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW is available with several driving assistance systems. As on the hatchback, the Driver Assistance Pack is available as an option, incorporating a radar at the front of the vehicle, and is used for the operation of three systems. These are:

Dynamic Cruise Control: this is a speed limiter/cruise control that can maintain and automatically adjust the speed of the vehicle according to the speed of the vehicle ahead

Emergency Collision Alert System: a visual and audible warning is given to the driver to brake to avoid a collision

Emergency Collision Braking System: in the event of an imminent collision, the brakes are applied automatically to avoid the impact or reduce its consequences

Blind spot monitoring, electric parking brake, a reversing camera, park assist and keyless entry/start are available on the car. Also on offer is the Driver Sport pack, aimed at the more enthusiastic driver. Switchable using an additional button on the centre console, it provides firmer and more responsive power steering, more responsive mapping for the accelerator pedal, engine and gearbox, plus a sportier engine note in the cabin via a digital amplifier.

As with the hatchback, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW has earned the maximum five stars in the Euro NCAP tests.

New PEUGEOT 308 SW: a quality car
PEUGEOT’s focus on quality is second to none and the 308 SW is no exception. It has successfully passed many tests during its development, including 2.5 million kilometres of test-driving, 2,500 hours on test beds, 250,000 temperature cycle tests and 4.3 million presses on the touch-screen without failure. The car is being produced at the Sochaux plant in France, with power units also built at Trémery and Douvrin.

Presented for the first time at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW will go on sale on 19th June in the UK.