Given how much Citroen->ke22 has invested on the Chinese market, it was only a matter of time before the French automaker expanded its lineup in the country. That time has apparently come with the debut of the C-XR Concept->ke169 at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show->ke2062.

Okay, it doesn't look as much of a concept as it does a near production-ready model that could be sent to dealerships sooner than later, possibly as soon as later in 2014. The C-XR also holds the distinction of being the first Citroen model the developed with the Dongfeng Motor Group, as clear a sign of where the C-XR is going to be offered once the production version is ready.

Overall, the C-XR is a sharply-designed crossover->ke288 that should go over among Chinese customers, especially the young-and-hip crowd that puts a vehicle's style and design over everything else, including its performance credentials.

That's exactly the formula Citroen followed in developing the C-XR Concept. Only time will tell if the production version adopts the same architecture.

Click past the jump to read more about the Citroen C-XR Concept.

2014 Citroen C-XR Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Citroen C-XR Concept
  • Horsepower: 160
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

You're probably disappointed that the C-XR doesn't look exactly like what a concept car should, but we don't think Citroen is going make any apologies for it. Besides, the SUV concept is probably as close to a production model as it could be, with only limited changes to get it ready to hit dealerships.

The wide, chromed front grille of the CX-R is a nice touch, especially how the company was able to seamlessly integrate its logo into it. The headlights are aggressively detailed, serving as a nice complement to the sharp front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights. Overall, the front section does justice in giving the C-XR that sporty look Citroen was going for.

The rear section of the C-XR is a little underwhelming to look at with the most noticeable elements being the 3D-effect taillights and the dual chrome exhaust pipes. The concept does have a high beltline, which gives it that muscular appearance, fitting enough to use a set of 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season tires.

2014 Citroen C-XR Concept - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

2,650 MM (104.33 Inches)

Length

4,260 MM (167.71 Inches)

Length-to-height ratio

1,790 MM x 1,560 MM (70.47 x 61.41 Inches)


Interior

The C-XR Concept's 104.3-inch wheelbase is the longest SUV in its segment, thus putting some credence to Citroen's declaration that it's got more interior space than most of its competitors. It's hard to know sure until we see photos of the interior, but we'll give Citroen the benefit of the doubt on that one.

Drivetrain

The Citroen C-XR Concept has a powertrain that doesn't really impress us all that much. The company said that output is at 160 horsepower so we imagine that something like a 1.6-liter THP engine has been fitted under its hood. Citroen also claims that it uses the latest-generation automatic gearbox, so that should another thing to look forward to. Other than that, we kinda expected more than just 160 horsepower as we're confident a lot of people did too.

2014 Citroen C-XR Concept - Drivetrain/Specifications

Engine Type

THP petrol engine equipped with the Stop&Start system

Output

160 HP

Transmission

Latest-generation automatic gearbox


Prices

No word yet on pricing, but from the looks of things, the C-XR could be priced between $20k and $25k, at the current exchange rates.

Competition

Nissan Juke

Weird and funky are two of the first words that come out of your mouth when describing the Nissan Juke. While there are some grains of truth in those words, the Juke also offers the kind of unconventional styling that a lot of today's younger buyers seem to gravitate to. The Juke is definitely an acquired taste and one that has built a following of its own, despite its all-around quirkiness.

Power isn't too far from what the C-XR Concept is offering, but at 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, you're likely to get more out of the Juke than you would the C-XR.

The Nissan Juke starts at $18.990 for the base S FWD model and goes all the way up to $25,990 for the SL AWD model.

Renault Captur

A little less of a competitor than the Juke, but no less competitive compared to the C-XR is the Renault Captur. Like the C-XR, the Captur owes its history to a concept version of the same name that was released earlier: the Captur Concept.

The Captur gets the benefit of having its own distinct look that's quite appealing relative to its segment. It's also being offered with a variety of gas and diesel engines, which should include a 1.6-liter that produces somewhere close to the 160-horsepower output of the C-XR.

You're probably not going to get the same level of performance as the Juke, or maybe even the C-XR once Citroen is done building the production version. But that's not the point. What you get from the Captur is a fresh style that makes it stand out.

Conclusion

Overall, the Citroen C-XR Concept is an intriguing crossover for the Chinese market. It's got the style that should attract a lot of buyers, which plays an even bigger role considering that its engine isn't anything to write home about.

Like the rest of its competitors, you're not really looking for a powerful vehicle in this segment. Instead, you're looking for one that has enough of it, but has a design that makes it stand out.