19 August 2002: Peugeot's new 206 SW sport wagon has gone on sale in Ireland with prices ranging from 15,815-24,015 euros. It comes initially on the Irish market with 1.1-, 1.4-, 1.6- and 2-litre petrol engines. A 1.4-litre HDi turbodiesel comes later.

The car is aimed at a variety of customers, from young owners with outdoors and active leisure pursuits to suburban families (where it could make an ideal second car) to older people who want a vehicle that is smart, and gives them a freedom 'lifestyle' car as well as something robust and reliable.

Though based on the 206 supermini, the 206 SW gives a much better use of space than the hatch, and rear headroom is particularly generous. The luggage space is substantial for a car in this segment.

The 206 hatch is already the best selling diesel model in its segment, with a 25% growth in the last year, and the SW should improve that stake even further in a car class where diesel sales have been fairly low up until now.

The 206 hatch also holds second place overall in the supermini segment in year-to-date sales.

A full preview of the 206 SW was published last week on IrishCar.Com.