Peugeot has a very good reason to unveil the SXC concept at the Shanghai Motor Show, as the crossover model has been designed and developed by the Peugeot Style Studios of China Tech Center. In addition, the SXC name stands for “Shanghai Cross Concept”, with Peugeot claiming that the crossover study was build to suit the tastes of Chinese buyers.
At 4,870mm long, 1,610mm tall and 2,035mm wide, the sleek crossover is a large vehicle. To put it in perspective, the BMW X6 measures 4,877mm long. The SXC features several styling cues seen in recent Peugeot concept cars, such as the SR1, HR1 and the EX1. The French firm said the study combines elements from both SUVs and saloon models.
The front end of the crossover model bears the new “floating” Peugeot grille and very slim LED headlights. The heavily sculpted bonnet adds drama to the SXC’s “face”, as do the two generous air intakes in the bumper. There are numerous components made of brushed aluminum, such as the grille, the roof bars and the edge of the side glazed surface, to name a few. According to Peugeot, the lightweight material “enhances the exclusive nature of the vehicle.”
The profile features a coupe-like appearance, with suicide doors and a thin glasshouse, while the boomerang-shaped taillights and the unusual styling of the tailgate dominate the rear end.
The passenger compartment benefits from a two-part panoramic roof and is fitted with four individual seats. The shape of the dashboard, steering wheel and the gear-lever draw inspiration from jet fighters, while an array of touch screens eliminate the need for traditional switches.
The Peugeot SXC design study incorporates the HYbrid4 technology, pairing an internal combustion engine at the front with an electric motor at the rear for an all-wheel drive setup. The 218HP 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine drives the front wheels, while the 95HP electric motor drives the rear wheels. In total, the SXC has 313 horsepower and posts an average fuel consumption of 5.8 liters/100 km (40.55 mpg), while its CO2 emissions reach at 143 g/km.
The crossover study is able to run in zero emissions mode at low speeds using only the electric motor, although Peugeot doesn’t say for how long.
By Dan Mihalascu
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