On sale in the UK from 19th June, the new 308 SW is focused on four key areas – design, efficiency/functionality, driving experience and quality.

Design is intended to showcase ‘simplicity, balance and fluidity of style’, with wheelbase and rear overhangs that are 11cm and 22cm longer respectively than the hatchback to give a ‘balanced’ look. The front end shares the hatchback’s 'floating' grille framed in chrome flanked by the headlamps, which offer full LED technology as standard on upper trim levels.

At the rear end, the tail-lights wrap around, echoing the design of the 508 SW and 508 RXH.

The interior is based on the i-Cockpit concept from the hatchback and uses a compact steering wheel, a head-up instrument panel, a tall centre console and a 9.7-inch touch-screen, which can be used for operation of air-conditioning, driving assistance systems, multimedia, navigation, telephone and vehicle settings. There’s also a 1.6m2 glass panoramic roof, which can be fully covered with an electric blind.

With a length of 4,585mm, width of 1,804mm and height of 1,471mm, the 308 SW offers volumes said to be among the best in the segment. Boot space is 660 litres, which includes 70 litres of storage under the floor, rising to 1,660 litres using the “Magic Flat” rear seats, which instantly fold flat using levers accessible on the sides of the boot.

To aid loading, the boot entrance has a width of up to 106cm and a length to the rear seat backs of 107cm. It has vertical side walls with minimal wheel arch intrusion and the load sill is among the lowest of any estate car. There are also movable/removable dividers and an elastic strap, and storage is provided for the luggage cover and the removable lashing hooks in dedicated comparments under the boot floor.

As with the hatchback, the new 308 SW is built around the PSA Group’s Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2) platform, which enables flexibility in configuration and settings, particularly for length. The extended wheelbase is used entirely for space at the rear, particularly for back seat passenger knee room and boot volume, and the SW offers improved access to the rear compared to the hatchback.

From launch, the new 308 SW offers a range of Euro6 petrol and diesel engines. For petrol, power outputs range from 130 to 155bhp with CO2 emissions from 109g/km. The range will include the new three-cylinder turbocharged petrol versions – 110 and 130bhp – marking the showroom debut of PEUGEOT’s new “PureTech” powertrains with high pressure direct injection.

Diesel units go from 92 to 150bhp with maximum CO2 figures of 111g/km. This includes the new BlueHDi 1.6-litre 120bhp diesel which, when linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, has a combined cycle fuel consumption of 88.3mpg and emissions of 85g/km – said to be a record in the segment.

BlueHDi is the brand’s Euro 6 diesel engine and three will be available at launch; the BlueHDi 1.6-litre 100bhp coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox, the BlueHDi 1.6-litre 120bhp with six-speed manual gearbox, and the BlueHDi 2.0-litre 150bhp, available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The 308 SW also uses ultra-low rolling resistance tyres developed in an exclusive partnership with Michelin. These provide average savings in CO2 emissions of 3g/km, with reduced braking distances on wet roads and wear rates identical to standard tyres, and will be fitted to more than a third of models.

As on the hatchback, the Driver Assistance Pack is available as an option, incorporating a radar at the front of the vehicle, and is used for the operation of the Dynamic Cruise Control, Emergency Collision Alert System and Emergency Collision Braking System.

Blind spot monitoring, electric parking brake, a reversing camera, park assist and keyless entry/start are available on the car. Also on offer is the Driver Sport pack.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s launch.

• Peugeot will be one of a number of carmakers appearing at this year's Fleet Show at Silverstone on Wednesday 9th April. For more details, visit: http://www.thefleetshow.co.uk/