TODAY'S UK car market is awash with a veritable embarrassment of riches, a host of models lining up to tempt even the most discerning buyer.
There are hatchbacks, saloons, MPVs, estates, coupes and 4x4s aplenty, but only one carmaker boasts an "SW" and, while Peugeot insists that these initial letters do not stand for Station Wagon, the 206 SW in particular has managed to find its way into the estate car category.
The latest Peugeot to boast SW badging is the new 407, a four-door saloon which, earlier this year, broke the clone-like mould of the family car/repmobile mass market, stepping out of the mainstream to raise more than a few eyebrows with its striking good looks.
Peugeot have neatly side stepped the 307 SW set-up with its optional extra pair of seats which actually qualified for midi MPV status. Instead, the French carmaker has made the most of an extra three inches in length and slightly higher roofline over the 407 saloon, translating these extra dimensions into the versatile, family estate car roominess for which Peugeot is renowned.
But this concentration on the art of load-lugging has not detracted one jot from the original eye-catching premise of the 407 saloon, the SW looking every inch a quality tourer with its rakish, low-slung appearance providing more than a touch of this sporting life.
In fact, like some other members of the load-lugging genre, including the Citroen C5 on which its floor-plan is based, the 407 SW, with its angled rear pillars linked to the wrap-around glass of the rear windscreen, boasts an even more attractive appearance than the 407 saloon.
The Peugeot 407 SW comes with six engine options. Four are petrol powered with a 1.8-litre 117bhp opening up the range, followed by the two-litre 138bhp, 2.2-litre 160bhp and the range-topping 211bhp three-litre V6 . Plus, there are a brace of diesel units - the 1.6-litre 110bhp HDi and two-litre 136bhp HDi.
There is a choice of transmission systems including five and six-speed manual, plus four-speed Auto Adaptive auto box with Sequential Shift while the 407 SW is also available in S, SE, SV and Executive trim levels.
Including the entry level 1.8S, which weighs in at £16,095, all SW models feature a generous range of kit with digital climate control, trip computer, CD player, ultrasonic alarm, front fogs, plus safety aids of a septet of airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution all coming as standard, while further up the range there are plenty of "friends electric," to entertain the button pushers.
Much life-style thinking has been devoted to a manoeuvrably comfortable interior where a ski flap caters for the transportation of lengthy objects without disturbing the four occupants, plus, there are plenty of places in which to stow things and a goodly quota of cup and bottle holders while the front passenger seat can be folded flat.
Rear seating, too, is accommodating with the absence of a transmission tunnel adding to the comfort zone while the back seats also fold flat to add further cargo carrying capacity to the bootroom.
The luggage bay is also hugely accommodating, the symmetrical shape and low height lip making for easy loading and, while a cargo net is provided to help keep your shopping under control and the individually opening glass rear windscreen will prove a boon for those last-minute items before the off, a sliding tonneau cover keeps your contents away from unwanted attention.
Mounted on 17-inch alloys, the 407 SW SE test car drove and handled in refined and comfortable fashion. The driving position is easily arrived at and, while all round vision is extremely good, the standard-fit, full length, panoramic glass roof with electrically operated blind adds even further to the feeling of space and light.
Powered by the 136bhp two-litre diesel engine mated to a smooth-slotting six-speed manual gear change, this was family motoring of the highest order - around 10 seconds for the 0-62mph dash, environmentally low CO2 emissions, a quite generous mpg return and a refined, yet capable suspension set-up, all adding up to a highly agreeable example of a true transport of delight.
FAST FACTS
Peugeot 407 SW SE HDi 136
Price: £18,800
Mechanical: 136bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 126mph
0-62mph: 10.1 secs
Combined mpg: 47.1
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 159g/km
BiK rating: 17%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust