Peugeot SXC

Peugeot is thinking big, and here is the proof! The French firm has unveiled its brand new large crossover concept at this year's Shanghai Motor Show, the SXC.

Designed at Peugeot's China Tech Centre in Shanghai, the show car measures 4.87m long, 1.61m high and 2.04m wide - that's a few millimetres shorter, but wider and lower than BMW's X6 - the model the coupe-like SXC is gunning for.

The brave exterior design sticks closely to the themes introduced on Peugeot's most recent concept cars, including the SR1 Roadster, BB1 city car and smaller HR1 crossover. It features the same floating grille, wafer thin headlights and sculpted bodywork as those other show cars, as well as the boomerang rear lights.

Despite its sloping roofline and high waist, the SXC features a spacious cabin, thanks to its generous dimensions, and it's accessed via Rolls-Royce Phantom-style reverse-hinged doors. A two-part panoramic roof floods the cabin with light.

As its looks suggest, the SXC benefits from four-wheel-drive traction, but the powertrain incorporates Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology. A 218bhp 1.6-litre THP petrol engine drives the front wheels, while a 95bhp electric motor sends power to the back. That gives a maximum output of 313bhp with a combined fuel consumption of 48.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 143g/km.

Honda Civic SUV?

The Japanese based automaker is planning to release a Civic based SUV in the nearby future, and the model might be launched sometimes in 2013.

After the Germans will develop an Opel Corsa based SUV named the Mokka, the French will make the 2008 SUV based on the 208 hatchback, with the Americans already launching the Ford Ecosport and the success of the Nissan Juke urban crossover, SUVs based on hatchbacks are apparently the next “must” in the automotive industry. The latest car manufacturer to prepare itself for launching an SUV on a hatchback is Honda, and the model chosen as a “platform” for the upcoming crossover is none other than the popular Civic.

According to the guys over at autoexpress.co.uk, the Japanese based automaker Honda will launch a Civic based SUV sometimes in 2013. Even if the future model won’t have anything in common with the Opel Mokka, Peugeot 2008 or the Ford Ecosport, the principle is basically the same, take a hatchback, tweak its powertrain, lift its suspension, place an all-wheel drive system, modify its body and there you have it, a new model is born at a low production cost. Our source is also telling us that the Honda Civic SUV, which probably won’t have this name, will go against the Nissan Qashqai, but there’s no official word on this yet.

Subaru XV

Subaru is preparing to unveil the all-new XV crossover during September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

The model was previously shown in concept form at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year and Subaru’s designers claim to have stayed true to the look of that car. The teaser shot clearly shows the same blistered wheel arches, prominent grille and headlights as the concept. 

When it goes on sale early next year, the XV will go head-to-head with Nissan’s Qashqai and looks set to replace the Subaru Forester in the line-up.  The firm also claims it will bring a new level of “engineering excellence” to the segment. 

Unlike Nissan’s crossover the XV will be four-wheel drive only and it will come with a range of engines including an entry-level 1.6-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel unit.