Here is the first look at the Peugeot SXC concept to be revealed at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show. The petrol hybrid concept model has been designed at Peugeot design studios in Shanghai and is proof again of how important the Chinese car market is to European manufacturers. At the same time, this SXC recognises that European cars can’t be all things to all people, and after one comment on Eurocarblog about whether “Asian buyers will consider buying a french hybrid car”, we’ll be interested to see the production future of the SXC and whether it sticks to its local market origins as truly dedicated to the Chinese market.

The Peugeot SXC comes with a four-cylinder 1.6 petrol engine with 220 hp, combined with a rear electric motor making the Hybrid4 system. Total power is 315 hp. The Shanghai Cross Concept (hence SXC), has an average fuel consumption of 20.7 l/km with CO2 emissions of 143 g/km.

The style develops previous design language used on the SR1, BB1 and HR1, and is placed in the currently popular crossover segment. It measures 4.87 metres long, 2.03 metres wide and 1.6 metres tall and we think is a nice fit for the Chinese market, while still playing on its French origins. That’s for the concept model, though, and whether PSA will take it to production in this style or not is anyone’s guess. One to watch to see if the group can’t improve its fortunes outside of Europe.

Continue reading: Peugeot SXC pics and design analysis

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The 2011 Shanghai Motor Show will see the Peugeot 508 debut on that market, and will also present a Chinese-developed Peugeot petrol-hybrid concept car. The Shanghai show is an opportunity for the European car brands to battle it out in what they see is an important world market, and Peugeot is announcing a product plan of a new model every year in China.

The Peugeot 508 has already made over 20 percent of its sales target in Europe and the company aims for sales of about 65,000 units a year in China. One out of every two Peugeot 508 models will be produced and sold in China. The Peugeot range on that market, which already includes the 3008, will also extend to the Peugeot RCZ with a launch on May 20. Overall, the French brand plans 200,000 units in the Asian market in 2011 alone.

The Peugeot hybrid-petrol concept is the most interesting. The prototype has been built by the China Tech Centre in Shanghai and will be a top-range crossover model with all-wheel drive. The first petrol-hybrid powertrain is a first for the PSA, although no production plans have been released for this model yet.

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