( WCF ) - Peugeot has officially presented its new people mover, or its people mover beater, considering what it can do. The new 308 SW, besides being a good looking station wagon, also challenges most of European minivans in what is commonly reputed to be their best characteristic: versatility. It seats seven people and, when it decides to carry only five, there is plenty of space to handle everybody's luggage (508 l to 575 l, depending on the position of the sliding rear seats). If this was all the new vehicle had to offer, most buyers would probably stick with what they are already used to, but better handling also must come in the package.
Although the 308 SW seems to be a minivan killer, it must be taken into consideration that the European market is like a mother's heart: there is always space for everyone (at least this is what mothers say...). Therefore, no one should be alarmed when the new Peugeot 3008 is presented to the public, what will probably happen at the Paris Motor Show this year. While it is not for sale, the 308 SW's versatility will help it occupy the space of a medium size minivan, something Peugeot has never offered, but Citroen has. And the Picasso (both the Xsara and the C4) have proved to be good additions to the French automaker's range.
The new 308 SW will be available with six engine options (four petrol and two diesels), with variable outputs. The entry level will be equipped with the 1.4-litre VTi with 75 cv, but there will be another option of the VTi engine, the 1.6-litre that generates 120 cv. The other petrol engines are the 2-litre BioFlex, able to run also on E85, and the 1.6-litre THP engine, developed in cooperation with BMW, which, with its turbo system, is able to produce 140 cv, 150 cv and 175 cv.
As for the diesel options, there are the 1.6-litre HDi, with 90 cv and 110 cv, and the 2-litre HDi, with 136 cv. The oil burners are sure to be the best selling versions of the new station wagon, that replaces the 307 SW in Europe.