AN all-new version of Peugeot's 508 estate car will be available from January next year and will have its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Sleeker and slightly smaller than the previous 508 SW, the new model will be joining the new 508 saloon which will be out later this year.

Measuring 4.78 metres long it is some two inches shorter than before but load space has been increased to 530 litres.

That extends to 1,780 litres with the rear seats folded behind a power-operated tailgate.

With frameless doors - a first for a mainstream car maker - Peugeot says the new 508 SW rewrites design cues in the medium-sized estate car market.

The cabin features wrap-round massaging seats and comes with an opening panoramic sunroof while the instrumentation is the latest generation of Peugeot's i-Cockpit digitised display.

New features include adaptive cruise control with a stop and go function, lane keeping assist and a night vision system - a first for the segment and designed to maximise safety.

There's also a Magic Flat system that allows the driver to fold down the rear seats automatically.

Two new PureTech 1.6-litre engines developing either 180 or 225ps will be available along with four diesel options using Peugeot's new 1.5 litre BlueHDi block and its 2.0-litre with all hooked up to eight speed automatic transmissions.

The 130bhp version of the 1.5-litre diesel will also be available with a six-speed manual gearbox while the SW will be available as a plug-in hybrid later in 2019.

All engines meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards and the PureTech models feature a freewheeling function which operates between 15 and 80mph which in conjunction with the EAT8 auto box is said to reduce fuel consumption by up to three per cent.

Pierre-Paul Mattei, product design director for the 508, said: "We wanted to design a unique SW with a very strong personality that was perfectly situated at the heart of its segment.

"The secret of the rear structure performance in terms of compactness and rigidity is the sensible and practical boot with an extremely sleek design. Similarly, the frameless doors provide the perfect response to accessibility in a vehicle with a very low roof line."

Performance data and prices for the new model are still to be released.