Scoop: Peugeot Caught Testing Hotter 308 SW GTI

It's only been a week since Peugeot offered us an early glimpse of their new 308 SW (Station Wagon) ahead of the compact model's world premiere at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March, and while no hot version was mentioned in the release, our spy shots tell a different story.

This prototype is believed to be the GTI variant of the 308 SW series that will share the same powertrain and chassis upgrades with the upcoming five-door 308 GTI, and which will likely include a detuned version of the 1.6-liter turbo found in the RCZ R delivering somewhere around 220-horses.

The tester features a modified front bumper with extended air vents, bigger brakes and twin exhaust pipes at the back, though, expect the production car to sport a few more changes to give it a slightly aggressive appearance.

We should see the car in its final form within the next year.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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Peugeot’s New 308 SW Boasts 610 Liters of Boot Volume

Peugeot’s family of 308 compact vehicles has just welcomed its second member after the traditional hatch in the form of the 308 SW (Station Wagon).

The estate version of the 308 is 4,580mm long (180.3in) and 1,470mm tall (57.9in), boasting a boot capacity of 610 liters (21.5 cubic feet). That is pretty close to the segment’s leader, the Honda Civic Tourer, which has a 624-liter boot (22 cubic feet).

Furthermore, the seats are folded with a single action from inside the boot and form a perfectly flat floor.

There are no surprises in terms of design, as the 308 SW features the same styling language as the hatchback. The most obvious difference is the addition of the third lateral window and the larger taillights. On the inside, the Peugeot i-Cockpit is carried over from the hatchback with no changes.

Just like the 308 hatchback, the 308 SW is based on Peugeot’s new Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2), which uses weight saving solutions. This is why the 308 SW is 140 kg (308.6 lbs) lighter overall than its predecessor. As a result, Peugeot says the estate is more fun to drive too.

The 308 SW will be available with the same range of Euro 6 petrol anddiesel engines from the hatchback, including a BlueHDI version that emits just 85 g CO2 per kilometer.

The car will debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, with sales scheduled to start in France during spring followed shortly after by other European countries.

By Dan Mihalascu

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New Peugeot 308 Compact Hatch on Sale in the UK from £14,495

Peugeot's latest effort in the popular compact hatchback category, the all-new 308, is now officially on sale in Britain, where it is available in four trim levels, named Access (from £14,495), Active (from £17,195), Allure (from £18,645) and Feline (from £20,995). For full pricing details, check out our previous post here.

Depending on the trim grade, Peugeot's VW Golf and Ford Focus competitor can be had with eight engine choices in the UK, including the 1.2-liter VTI 82PS, 1.2-liter e-THP 110PS, 1.2-liter e-THP 130PS, 1.6-liter THP 125PS, 1.6-liter HDi 92PS, 1.6-liter e-HDi 115PS, 1.6-liter BlueHDi 120PS and 2.0-liter BlueHDi 150PS.

Other highlights include the new Modular Platform 2 (EMP2) that has allowed the 308 to be up to 140kg (308 pounds) lighter over the predecessor model, a 420-litre boot space with the rear seats upright, and a multitude of comfort and tech features such as an available touch-screen infotainment system with a large 9.7-inch screen size.

“The New 308 is a significant leap forward for Peugeot," commented Tim Zimmerman, Managing Director of Peugeot UK. "It’s high on style and quality and provides a truly rewarding driving experience, all at a value-for-money price. We’re confident it will be a big hit with UK customers.”

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