Citroen C-XR Softroader Revealed At Beijing

Citroen has collaborated with Chinese automaker DongFeng to create the C-XR compact SUV concept, which previews an eventual production version for the Chinese domestic market.

Its jacked-up ride height and unpainted plastic body armour hints at an offroad capability, but Citroen says the C-XR will be built exclusively in front wheel-drive form.

It will, however, be powered by PSA's venerable 1.6 litre THP turbo petrol inline four, which produces 115kW and 240Nm of torque in the Citroen DS3.

Three-cylinder petrol and diesel inline fours may also be added to the model mix, and engine start-stop will be offered on the 1.6.

Measuring just 4260mm long, the CX-R's production version will be the smaller sibling of the DS 6WR, which was also exhibited by Citroen at this year's Beijing auto show.

The 6WR will be the first to hit showrooms, and will spearhead Citroen's aggressive expansion into the growing Chinese market.

The eventual production version of the CX-R will likely be sold exclusively in China - as will the DS 6WR. A broader distribution plan may emerge between now and the production car's expected debut in Paris this October, though, so watch this space.

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