Peugeot stretches 308 hatch to create Sportwagon

MORE than three months after Peugeot debuted its new-generation 308 hatch, the covers have some off its elongated Sportwagon stablemate that will reach Aussie soil sometime in mid-2022, several months after the hatch arrives.

 

Measuring 280mm longer than the hatch (4640mm vs 4360mm) and riding on a 55mm-longer wheelbase, the 308 Sportwagon’s key design features are the swooping hind quarters of its bigger body.

 

The extra metal equates to an improved 608 litres of rear cargo space compared to the hatch’s 412L, expandable to 1634L by stowing the 40:20:40 split-rear folding seats.

 

Not only is the load space more generous, it’s also been decked out with a few practical goodies including a 12V socket, LED lighting, two storage nets and bag hooks.

 

Up front, standard creature comforts will include a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, multi-function steering wheel, satellite navigation, ‘OK Peugeot’ voice command and a 10-speaker sound system.

 

In terms of driver aids and safety features, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, active lane departure warning with lane correction, driver attention alert, automatic high beam and traffic sign recognition will all be included across the range as standard.

 

Other global standard and optional features include long-range blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a high-definition 180-degree reversing camera and 360-degree parking assistance, proximity-based hands-free start access, heated windscreen and steering wheel, E-call+ emergency call and auto-dipping wing mirrors.

 

Just like the hatchback, seven different powertrain configurations will be available in the new 308 Sportwagon at a global level, consisting of three petrols, two diesels and two plug-in hybrids (PHEV).

 

As previously detailed by GoAuto, the petrol mills on offer are all turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder units developing either 82kW when paired to a six-speed manual transmission or 97kW in top-spec guise, which comes with the option of either a manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

 

The diesel configurations will consist solely of a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder developing 97kW with the only difference being the transmission; manual or automatic.

 

As for the PHEVs, both units offer more power than their traditionally motivated stablemates – 134kW and 168kW – with the main difference between the two being the power outputs of the central internal combustion engine (ICE).

 

In 134kW guise, the system is based around a small-capacity turbocharged petrol engine good for 110kW while the more potent 168kW version centres around a 132kW mill.

 

Electric power in either case comes courtesy of an 81kW electric motor attached to the eight-speed automatic transmission, drawing its power from a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery which affords the PHEVs an all-electric driving range of up to 60km.

 

Peugeot Australia general manager Kate Gillis said the local arm was thrilled to confirm the Sportwagon for our market ahead of its arrival next year.

 

“Following the Australian launch of the new generation Peugeot 308 in Q1, we will expand the 308 range with the introduction of the Peugeot 308 SW later in 2022,” she said.

 

Only 13 examples of the current 308 have found new homes so far this year ending May, accounting for less than 0.1 per cent of the sub-$40,000 small car segment.

 

While the 308 has never enjoyed the same amount of sales success as its segment-leading Asian rivals, the tally so far this year marks a sales dip of 76.4 per cent compared to the same period last year, with things unlikely to look up until the new-generation arrives.

 

“Due to the semiconductor shortage that is impacting the automotive industry, there will be a gap in availability of the Peugeot 308 in Australia until the new generation arrives in Q1, 2022,” a Peugeot Australia spokesperson told GoAuto.