BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Peugeot Urban Crossover Concept

Peugeot has debuted its new Urban Crossover Concept at the Beijing Motor Show, a model the French marque says will reflect the multi-role capability required of modern compact vehicles.

With exponential growth in the Chinese market driving massive demand for new vehicle types, Peugeot insists it has not only met the requirements of a fast-changing sector, but has done so with a "cheeky and seductive" character.

Peugeot claims to have reinvented the standard for interior space within the Urban Crossover Concept's (UCC) segment, though little is mentioned of the vehicle's equipment inclusions or driveline specification.

Nevertheless the feline-inspired styling of this B-segment city dweller is drawn across a body measuring just 4140mm in length and 1740mm wide, 200mm shorter and 60mm narrower than the brand's recently launched 4008 SUV.

It is expected that should the UCC make it to production, it would feature an engine line-up similar to that found powering the new Peugeot 208 range on which its platform is believed to be based.

External styling cues familiar to newer generation Peugeot models (208, 4008, 508) are also reminiscent in UCC -- including the floating grille and cat eye-inspired headlamp treatment.

Sculpturally its lines flow from the hood's centrally-positioned emblem across swept A-pillars and a carved profile. UCC also boasts Peugeot's famed 'double bubble' roof, as featured on its RCZ sports model. At the rear, Peugeot's 'luminous signature' includes its now familiar lion claw LED tail lamps.

The UCC is one of 17 models Peugeot has on display at this year's Beijing Motor Show. The brand is well regarded in China with an extensive model range sold via almost 300 dealers and nearly 700 agents nationally. In the first quarter of 2012, Dong Feng Peugeot invoiced 54,587 units for a year-on-year increase of 28 per cent.