Peugeot Station Wagon
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It's only when you're travelling behind the new Peugeot station wagon twins, the 1.6-litre 307 Estate and the 2-litre 307 SW, that you realise just how BIG they are.
These are not just lengthened versions of the 307 sedan - they have a look, and a size, all their own, resulting in a feeling of originality not usual in a people carrier derivative.
And the originality extends deep into the car's psyche, with a versatility unrivalled by any station wagon on the market, with the ability to (very easily) move seats around inside to suit your needs, or even remove them altogether, by flicking two locks, pushing the seats forward, and lifting them out.
It really is as easy as it sounds, and means the big wagons can either carry seven passengers for those car pool or lift club days, or be transformed into a four-seater with room to carry mountain bikes inside!
You can have two people in the middle row of seats with room to swing a baseball bat between them, or you can lock in the (optional) cooler box to make it a luxurious "bar on wheels" a la Rolls Royce or Maybach!
You can even take out the centre row of seats altogether if you fancy having a limo-style ride with enough room to really stretch out your legs!
Or you can take the whole lot out to give a luggage/goods carrier par excellence.
Impressive duo
Peugeot has just launched its two new station wagon versions of the 307, and we must say we are very impressed - not just about their versatility, but especially in terms of Peugeot's renowned ride quality and excellent handling.
Apart from using a superb suspension setup, this is in no small part due to the extra 100 mm in the wheelbase.
And there's lots of interior space thanks to the extra 120 mm in the rear overhang, pushing overall length up to 4.42 metres.
Seven people can be carried in total because of the pair of removable seats in a third row, and by substituting the conventional rear bench seat with three individual pews that can slide, fold, tumble, or be removed individually.
In total, there are close to 100 possible permutations for transporting a combination of luggage and passengers.
An ambience of openness and spaciousness is enhanced by a roof of laminated glass which is bonded to the body structure, and which extends from the top of the windscreen to the end of the rear doors. This feature is only available on the 2-litre SW.
Safety features include airbags, ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, and inertia reel seatbelts for all seven seats.
The front pair include pre-tensioners and belt force limiters and the outer pair in the middle row incorporate belt force limiters.
Last but not least the front two seats incorporate a "spinal care" design which supports the occupants' back in event of an accident.
The Estate gets a 1 597 cm3 16-valve fuel injected producing 80 kW at 5 750 r/min and a credible 147 Nm of torque at 3 900 r/min.
Although the less expensive of the pair, it still comes lavishly equipped, with a host of features which includes four airbags, ABS brakes, air conditioning (with the glovebox forming part of the cooling circuit), built-in radio/front loader CD with remote controls, electrically-operated windows and mirrors, and power steering.
However, the 7-seater option is not available on this car, which instead has a 60/40 split folding rear seat.
On the road we were particularly impressed with this one. The engine's torque characteristics make it a great load lugger, and it should reward frugal drivers with excellent fuel economy.
Price: R165 900.
Upgrading to the SW, however, gives not just more power from the 1 997 cm3 engine - 100 kW at 6 000 r/min and 190 Nm at 4 100 r/min - but also a host of additional features, as well, naturally, as more power.
Peugeot claims a top speed in the region of 200 km/h and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 10.5 seconds. Overall fuel consumption of 8.3 litres/100 km can be achieved.
Standard equipment
Standard equipment on this model includes automatic climate control, 16 inch alloy wheels shod with 205/55 tyres, CD/tuner, electric windows all round, electric mirrors, central locking, a 17-litre glovebox linked to the air conditioning, height and reach adjustable steering column, automatic wipers and headlights, leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, and a driving computer.
However, it is the transparent panoramic roof which gives the most pleasure, allowing sunshine in and brightening the whole interior. A sequentially adjustable electrically operated blind is standard.
On the road this one has bright and agile performance, although its extra price tag - it costs R199 900 - might make it less of a bargain than that of the Estate for some people.
This despite its additional features, which include curtain airbags and leather upholstery.
In addition, the SW gets aviation-style tray tables in the back of the front seats, a centre seat which folds down to reveal a moulded plastic surface that has recesses for four cans, two penholders, and A4-sized storage. This centre seat is 410 mm wide (50 mm less than the outer pair), but slides fore and aft 130 mm - 40 mm more than its companions.
Furthermore, there are side nets between the wheel arches and the tailgate, mesh bags in the rear seats, a versatile boot net, and an additional 12 volt socket.
Loading and configuring the luggage volume of the SW is something that has received special attention, and for starters there's a very low loading sill with a floor height that has also been reduced by placing the full sized spare wheel underneath the car.
The rear bumper can take a load of 80 kg, its upper surface protected by a grained black scratch-resistant zone that runs the full width of the opening. This is complimented on the inside by a chromed finisher plate designed to allow the sliding in and out of luggage and bags without damage to the vehicle or the packages.
Total interior volume with all five rear seats removed is a staggering 1 539 litres, while the available luggage area is 2.3 square metres. Maximum load bed length is just shy of two metres, with the width a little over one metre.
So - a great package, and a versatile one which means you don't have to go the full Monte and get a big and thirsty MPV to fit in with your lifestyle.
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