Peugeot SXC crossover concept Shanghai debut

The very sexy Peugeot SXC Concept

It brings home how important – actually, crucial – the car market in China has become when you learn that car makers are building cars specifically for the Chinese market.

Just last week we reported BMW, in collaboration with its Chinese partner Brilliance, has taken the already ‘Made for China’ LWB BMW 5-Series and turned it in to a 5-Series plug-in hybrid. A specific car for a specific market.

And now Peugeot are joining in the ‘Made for China’ game with the reveal of the Peugeot SXC Crossover Concept they’re planning on revaling for real at the Shanghai Motor Show next week.

Not just built for China, the very appealing SXC crossover was designed in China by Peugeot’s Shanghai design team. It mates a very sexy coupe-ish, high-riding crossover body, complete with more than a hint of the drop-dead-gorgeous Peugeot SR1 Concept, plus a set of suicide doors, with  latest Peugeot’s HYbrid4 system.

That’s the same HYbrid4 system, with the 1.6 litre four-pot diesel delivering 218bhp to the front wheels and an electric motor delivering 95bhp to the rear wheels, that Peugeot said they weren’t going to fit to the 3008 for China as it would mean divulging their hybrid tech to their Chinese partners.

Either Peugeot has decided that they are willing to trade secrets for sales, or they’ve reached agreement with the Chinese Government. We’ve asked Peugeot which it is and we’ll let you know. We’ve also asked why the very appealing SXC is just for China.

Because I think we want one.

By Cars UK