Tuesday 19th April 2011

Peugeot Unveils SXC Crossover Concept in Shanghai

Chinese-designed 'crossover' gets 313bhp hybrid power

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Peugeot has revealed its new SXC 'crossover' concept today at the Shanghai show.

The new car has been entirely designed by Peugeot's design studios at the China Tech Centre in Shanghai. This is partly a measure of just how important the Chinese car market is becoming (more than 12 million cars are expected to be sold in China this year, making it comfortably the biggest car market in the world) and partly a measure of the increasing importance of the SUV/crossover sector for Chinese consumers.

It's not just all show and no go, either; powering those rather large 22-inch wheels are powered by 313bhp-worth of petrol-electric hybrid. Powering the front wheels is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor with 218bhp, while a 95bhp electric motor provides an extra boost of performance or economy (depending on your point of view), allowing the big Peugeot concept to theoretically manage a combined fuel economy figure of 48.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 143g/km.

But the SXC also hints at Peugeot's new taut, athletic design language, first signalled by the recent SR1 concept and the first glimmerings of which in production form are to be found in the 508 saloon.

So is this part of a Peugeot renaissance, where the company rediscovers how to make cars that look good and are fun to drive? It's probably a bit early to say, but we've got our fingers crossed...

[Insight]

This is the best 'Chinese' design I ever did see.

[Dog Star]

If it ever looks like that I'll show my arse on the town hall steps.

I remember the 607 concept - looked fantastic. Real thing was so watered down and compromised that it looked crap - not anything like as nice as the 605 it replaced.

[LuS1fer]

Having seen the new Beetle and it's "eyes wide open" look, you have to wonder whether the narrow light apertures appeal to Chinese perceptions ...so to speak (this is not racist, merely an observation before anyone gets carried away);)

[Andrew[MG]]

Are all new cars designed, built and sold in China? I didn't realise that we had reached that point already. I know cars cost quite a lot out there (or is it just imports?) but how much is petrol/diesel?

I find it quite funny how the western world gave them all their money for cheap goods and now the Chinese are pretty much buying up the western countries bit by bit.

[TheOrangePeril]

Sexy

[rallyman77]

Hmmm, add in tinted windows and those spinning rims and you'll look like a rapper or the local druglord! woof woof!