Flexible wagon on show

The car is being shown at the Melbourne Motor Show weeks ahead of its official Geneva Motor Show unveiling next month.

Geneva will also see the debut of the three-door 308 GT, which is expected to arrive here late this year.

The wagon, now with seven seats, carries over the versatility of the 307 Touring but offers even more flexibility.

The panoramic glass roof is 27 per cent larger and extends beyond the heads of the second-row passengers. The rear tailgate glass now opens for easy access to the boot without lifting the rear door.

The rear seats in the second row are individual and can be easily removed.

With the second-row seats in place, the wagon can hold up to 674 litres under the rear load cover. With the seats removed it provides 2149 litres up to the roof, more than some small commercial vans. The 308 Touring has a 100mm longer wheelbase and is 124mm longer overall than the 308 hatch.

It comes with up to seven airbags and the choice of petrol or turbo-diesel engines.

Michelin Energy Saver tyres help reduce fuel consumption, compared to the 307 SW, by up to 10 per cent.

The suspension set-up and wheel size options have been borrowed from the 308 hatchback, but revised and beefed up to carry heavier loads.

The 308 GT is powered by a 130kW/244Nm version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder BMW joint-venture engine available in the 308 five-door. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The engine was previously available in the 207 GTi.

To differentiate it from lesser 308s, the GT has a lower front bumper, rear spoiler and lower ride height.

Inside, the interior gains an aluminium gear knob and foot pedals and a new steering wheel.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia spokesman Mathew McAuley says he expects the 308 Touring to arrive here in August-September