Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 62

COUNTRY LIFE

Peugeot 308 SW
Test driven on the Island by Peter White
The new Peugeot 308 SW is clearly
an important addition to the range of
fine vehicles on offer from the French
manufacturer. From the outside it looks
sleek and elegant with its improved
aerodynamics, while inside it provides the
comfort and space to make it a hugely
popular family estate.
But the most impressive aspect for me,
as I drove it around the roads between
Ryde and Newport, was the uncomplicated
dashboard, made possible by the
innovative, 9.7-inch multi-functional
touchscreen. The screen provides easy

access to numerous functions; not just the
sat-nav and radio, but the likes of reverse
camera, climate control, air conditioning,
Bluetooth, and a host of driving aids. And
the Peugeot Connect Apps, which come
as an option, give valuable information
such as cheapest service stations, weather
conditions and nearest available car parks.
Another excellent feature of the 308 SW is
the automatic handbrake, which operates
as soon as you turn the engine off, and
disengages as soon as you pull away.
The rear seats can quickly be folded
down to create more than generous boot

space, underlining its versatility, and there
is added space under the boot floor if
required.
The car I drove, courtesy of
Staddlestones Peugeot, Ryde, was a
1.2-litre manual, with a 130-horse power
turbo charged engine, which generated
excellent acceleration for a comparatively
large car, which has low CO2 emissions
to keep the cost of road tax to the bare
minimum. The large panoramic roof
gave the 308 SW an even roomier feel as
I enjoyed the ride in comfortable, easy to
adjust seats.
For details of all the models in the
new Peugeot 308 SW range visit
Staddlestones, Brading Road, Ryde.

Staddlestones Nissan
Brading Road, Ryde
Tel: [phone]
www.staddlestones-nissan.co.uk

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