Peugeot 2008 Concept Aims for Hip, Global, City-Dwelling Youths [2012 Paris Auto Show]

Unknown

September 19, 2012

If you think small crossovers are hot here in the U.S., well, we’ve got news for you: they’re kind of a big deal everywhere else, too. Peugeot has recognized this trend and is showing off a production-bound crossover concept in Paris called the 2008 concept. (Peugeot says it is going after cool young urbanites who value being connected to the virtual world above all else.) The small soft-roader falls into the B-segment category, which is the same size that the company’s recently redesigned 208 subcompact occupies.

But back to the 2008—Peugeot doesn’t say it, but we’re betting that this concept previews a 208-based crossover. Besides being roughly the same size as the 208, the 2008 concept also wears similar styling to Peugeot’s B-segment hatch. Of course, some details are exaggerated for auto-show purposes; the 2008 gets a retina-blasting, matte-finished neon-yellow paint job that contrasts with black wheels and dark chrome exterior trim. No interior shots were provided, but if the 2008′s cabin looks anything like the contemporary 208′s digs, it’ll be stylish, to say the least. Finally, the butch-looking 2008 show car is powered by a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine making 110 hp.

The 2008 concept will go into production some time next year in several global markets—ours not being one of them. But worry not, micro-crossover fans: At least we get the Buick Encore. Okay, maybe worry. Peugeot 2008 concept