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Peugeot developing compact crossover based on 208 hatch

There are things that Peugeot does well, and there are things that Peugeot doesn't do well. Come to think of it, there aren't many things it does all that well, short of the 908 HDi endurance racer, but in any event, crossovers aren't one of the French automaker's core competencies.

Aside from the 508 RXH, which is more closer to a Subaru Outback and Audi Allroad in its beefed-up wagon approach, all of Peugeot's crossovers to date have been based on borrowed mechanicals – and built for it – by the likes of Mitsubishi. But parent company PSA knows that it can't rely on borrowed tech for long, and so it's working on some new crossovers on its own.

Among those in the pipeline is said to be the 2008, a crossover version of the 208 hatchback that just debuted in November. Tipped to replace the slot previously taken by SW wagon versions of the previous 206 and 207, the 2008 is expected to borrow some of its styling cues from the HR1 concept (pictured in the rendering above) that debuted at the last Paris Auto Salon.

Overseas buyers will have to wait a little while longer to see what the Lion marque has in store, but one thing we can tell you with as much certainty as can be assured in this business is that the 2008 – like the rest of the Peugeot range – won't be making it Stateside.

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