A couple of months ago, we hopped into the hatchback variant of the 2015 Peugeot 308 and it definitely proved its worth as an award-winning car. Adding onto the success formula that is the 308 1.2 PureTech EAT6 Allure, Peugeot has elongated the wheelbase of the 2014 European Car of the Year, giving the otherwise peppy hatch a roomier back seat as well as a ridiculously behemoth boot.
At the heart of this pug sits a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine pumping out 129bhp, allowing it to fall under Category A of our COE system. Contrary to our initial doubts, Peugeot has formulated a torquey and responsive petrol engine that is pretty astonishing considering the pint-sized engine displacement. Being a Category A car is also an advantage to the 308, thanks to the profusion of features that places it ahead of other cars in its class.Up close and Personal
French cars have always been known to possess rather quirky and unconventional looks but Peugeot seems to have gone against all French norms and is now targeting the Germans with the second generation 308.
True to the saying that change is the only constant, the new 308 replaces the unconventional fascia of its predecessor with a fresh elegant look comprising of a smaller front grille, a pair of neat and sleek head lights and overall cleaner lines, translating into a 308 that is a step upmarket.
To combat the rather clownish look of its predecessor, Peugeot injected a dash of sportiness to the new one, awarding it with a rear spoiler and sharp set of 17-inch wheels to complement the rest of the car.
The rule of thumb when it comes to interior styling is 'less is more' and the 308 SW achieves this with an adventurous yet pleasantly spartan cabin, centred around a 9.7-inch SMEG touchscreen.
Angled towards the driver, the screen is an onboard computer that controls not only the car's multimedia and navigation functions but also its dual-zone air-conditioning system.
However, the lack of air-conditioning control knobs will take a little getting used to and fiddling with it while driving is a tad difficult.
If you are like most car owners who stuff almost anything and everything in the glove compartment then you would probably not be jumping for joy. The car has half its glove box taken up by the fuse box so most of your items will have to go into the armrest console, which more than makes up for the lack of space.
However, these minor imperfections are easily overshadowed by the quality of the premium interior build, the cabin's well-thought out ergonomics and the amount of space the car has to offer.
If you fancied the 308 hatchback but it lacks the storage capacity that you require, then the 308 SW would be right in line with your needs with its generous 660-litre boot capacity and 1660 litres with the rear seats neatly folded down.
The Drive
Despite having a deceivingly modest engine capacity, acceleration and overtaking capability in the 308 SW is surprisingly spirited and comparable to the acceleration timings of 2.0-litre engines of yesteryears.
Enhancing performance is Peugeot's EAT6 transmission, a new kid on the block that is proving to be a worthy competitor amongst rival makes. The Quickshift technology in operation allows for gear changes that are seamless and quick while at the same time being environmentally efficient.Most may imagine such a vehicle to handle like a boat but proving naysayers wrong again is a 308 SW with a lighter body that has allowed the French engineers to soften the suspension without compromising on handling, delivering a balance of comfort and sportiness.
Conclusion
Peugeot's current line up of cars is an obvious target at premium brands and it shows. With a price tag of just over $130,000 (as of 18th June 2015), this wagon comes pretty well-packed with safety systems such as the blind spot monitoring system, which alerts you when there is an object beside you. Not forgetting, the city park assist function that usually only comes in higher end makes.
Previously considered as a second class European brand, the French automobile maker is now armed to the teeth to take on bigger names with cars like the 308 SW.
Peugeot's current line up of cars is an obvious target at premium brands and it shows. With a price tag of just over $130,000 (as of 18th June 2015), this wagon comes pretty well-packed with safety systems such as the blind spot monitoring system, which alerts you when there is an object beside you. Not forgetting, the city park assist function that usually only comes in higher end makes.
Previously considered as a second class European brand, the French automobile maker is now armed to the teeth to take on bigger names with cars like the 308 SW.
