Want French style, loads of space and a big glass roof? Peugeot's SW is back, this time as a 308.

While the basic recipe has remained essentially unchanged from the 307 SW it replaces — a glass-roofed sports wagon with a modular design enabling it to seat up to seven people when equipped with the optional third-row seats — the latest version takes massive steps forward by using the 308 platform and harnessing modern techniques and materials.

To keep costs down, Peugeot SA will only be offering it with the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol-engine and it’s priced at R223 500.

Peugeot’s T7 platform was designed with semi-tall architecture to ensure maximum interior space and visibility along with a strong visual identity. While the aluminium bonnet, composite front fenders and athermic tinted windscreen are shared with the hatch, the rear doors are unique to this vehicle and the body’s structure has been extensively redesigned too.

The SW’s wheelbase is 100mm greater than that of the hatchback, while the rear overhang has been increased by 124mm. The panoramic glass roof measures 1.68m², or 27 percent more than the one pioneered in the 307 SW, and is 877mm wide. At 1588mm in length it is also 300 mm longer than that in the 307. The roof is assembled from three layers of dark-tinted glass. The combination of the different layers limits light and energy transmission into the passenger compartment, but without compromising safety or refinement.

The roof isn’t the SW’s only fancy piece of glassware. The backlight has a pronounced curve allowing it to wrap around the rear three-quarters, and is fitted with hinges so that it can be opened independently of the tailgate itself — making it is the largest such glass in the car world today. This feature is handy when the vehicle is parked in such a way that the main tailgate can’t be opened, or when simply dropping a small package into the luggage compartment is preferred. The glass can be opened either with a dedicated button on the remote control, or by means of a second button under the rear garnish, adjacent to that which opens the entire tailgate.

Like other 308 models it also has convenience features such as a refrigerated glovebox, electric windows, sliding drawers below the front seats, and a sunglass holder; but in keeping with the SW’s positioning, it has a whole lot more besides. The height-adjustable front seats incorporate airline-style folding trays for the second row passengers. These trays also incorporate a pen holder and a cup/can holder.

The front passenger seat can also fold forward, enabling the SW to swallow a load which is 3.1m long. That single fact sums up the SW’s interior: it is designed to provide maximum loading flexibility and to that end the three middle row seats — now same-sized, unlike in the 307 SW — can be removed.

As well as this feature, they are interchangeable and can slide, recline, fold flat, tilt forward and be moved to the third row if required. The seats slide over a distance of 90 mm, allowing legroom to be tailored to specific requirements.

The interior can be easily formatted to carry five adults and unusually-shaped loads, even if the optional third-row seats are in place. These sixth and seventh seats are of a completely new type and are more compact and lightweight than before for easier removal. These seats are designed for individuals up to 1.7m tall.

The SW is powered by the 88 kW/160 Nm 1,6-litre VTi engine which is the mainstay of the 308 range. Its combined cycle fuel consumption figure is just 7.1 litres/100km — almost 13 percent better than the engine of the same capacity used in the 307 SW.