Citroen teases Beijing-bound crossover

Citroën has published two teaser sketches that preview an upcoming compact crossover. The yet-unnamed vehicle is scheduled to greet the public for the first time at the Beijing Motor Show that will open its doors to the press in a week.

Likely billed as a close-to-production concept, the crossover reportedly rides on the same platform as the popular Peugeot 2008. It stretches approximately 163 inches long and 68 inches wide, placing it at the smaller end of the compact crossover segment.

The crossover wears a bold exterior design with sharp headlights, a rippled hood and Citroën’s trademarked twin-slat grille. Hot Wheels-esque alloy wheels mounted on Michelin tires add an overly sporty touch to the look.

Citroën has not announced if the concept is functional. When launched, it will be offered with the automaker’s usual array of three- and four-cylinder gasoline- and diesel-burning engines linked to either a manual or an automatic gearbox. The crossover will be offered exclusively with front-wheel drive.

More details about Citroën’s enigmatic concept will be available in the coming week. The production version of Citroën’s crossover concept will bow next October at the Paris Motor Show and go on sale in Europe, Latin America and China in early 2015. It will fight head to head against the Nissan Juke and the MINI Countryman.

In addition to the compact crossover, Citroën will unveil a premium SUV called DS X7 at the Beijing Motor Show. The DS X7 will be sold in standalone DS showrooms in China in a bid to take on the Audi Q3 and the BMQ X1 but it will not be distributed in Europe.