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2022 Peugeot 308 SW confirmed for Australia! New Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus rival to keep small wagon alive

The new 308 range will be comprised of hatchback and SW wagon body-styles.

Peugeot Australia has confirmed it will offer two body-styles of the third-generation 308 small car, with the just-revealed SW wagon to be released soon after the hatchback, which is due in showrooms in the first quarter of next year.

Based on the hatchback that made its debut in March, the SW wagon is the most practical version of the new 308, with it measuring 4640mm long (with a 2730mm wheelbase) and offering 608L of cargo capacity, or 1634L with the 40/20/40 split-fold rear bench stowed.

Comparatively, the hatchback is 4360mm long (with a 2675mm wheelbase) and provides 440L of storage space, or 1323L with the second row folded down.

Styling-wise, the SW wagon separates itself from the hatchback beyond the B-pillars, where its longer roof comes to the fore alongside its unique rear fascia, which is headlined by unique tail-lights and a heavily creased tailgate with twin spoilers.

Otherwise, the SW wagon and hatchback are basically identical, meaning the former’s interior is highlighted by a 10.0-inch central touchscreen with a 10.0-inch 3D digital instrument cluster, both of which are powered by the new i-Connect multimedia system.

  • 2022 Peugeot 308 SW 2022 Peugeot 308 SW
  • 2022 Peugeot 308 SW 2022 Peugeot 308 SW
  • 2022 Peugeot 308 SW 2022 Peugeot 308 SW

Critically, voice control is always-on, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support is wireless, and two devices can be connected to Bluetooth at the same time. A 10-speaker Focal sound system can also be had.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking (with intersection assist and pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control (with stop and go functionality), traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround-view cameras.

While local pricing and specification will be confirmed closer to its launch, the new 308 is internationally available with two plug-in hybrid powertrains, with both combining a turbo-petrol engine with an 81kW electric motor and a 12.4kWh battery.

One option has a 110kW engine, produces a combined 132kW and has an electric-only range of 60km (WLTP), while the other has a 132kW unit, develops a total of 165kW and has a zero-emissions range of 59km.

Internal-combustion engine options include 81kW and 96kW tunes of a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder, and a 96kW 1.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

Six-speed manual and eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmissions are available for the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus rival, with drive sent to the front wheels no matter the combination.