Peugeot: Stylish hybrid goes a step further

The SXC was designed at Peugeot's Shanghai technical centre. Photo / Supplied

Peugeot will unveil its SXC hybrid crossover at this week's Shanghai motor show, a lifestyle vehicle that could sit above the brand's current carry-all, the Mitsubishi Outlander-based 4007.

The concept continues the French carmaker's "image product" policy, profiling new engine technology and pointing to future styling cues like the SXC's slim headlights, floating grille and sculpted flanks.

The concept also features a two-part panoramic roof and rear-view cameras in the side mirrors, design technology available on the upcoming 508 sedan and wagon.

Peugeot is focusing more and more on the rapidly expanding Chinese market, one reason why it used its technical centre in Shanghai to design and develop the SXC, or Shanghai Cross Concept.

It aims to sell 200,000 vehicles in China this year and expects to launch at least one new model a year in the country over the next few years.

Peugeot says the design of the SXC blends simple and refined lines with a muscular character on a large body - 4.870m long, 1.610m high and 2.035m wide.

The four-seater cabin, accessed via reverse-hinged "suicide" rear doors, blends blushed aluminium and stitched leather, with blue LED highlights throughout and a wrap-around, cockpit-like dash.

The all-wheel drive SXC has Peugeot's HYbrid4 powertrain, combining a 160kW, 1.6-litre petrol engine driving the front wheels, with a 69kW electric motor sending power to the rear.

Output is a combined 229kW with a claimed town-and-around fuel consumption of 5.8 litres/100km (48mpg) and a CO2 exhaust emissions rating of 143g/km.

Peugeot says the SXC can also run in "zero emissions" mode at low speeds.

The French company will also use the Shanghai show to launch the 508 flagship model on the Chinese market. The 508 sedan and station wagon goes on sale in New Zealand in June.