Yesterday the first batch of Peugeot 2008 official pictures leaked out, so the French car maker decided to officially reveal the car, even though it is a long way away from its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The 2008 is Peugeot’s entry in the rapidly growing small crossover segment.

The car is based on the same platform as the 208, and with a length of 4.16 meters it is fairly compact for a utility vehicle. Well, we say utility, but don’t expect it to be a Defender. It is basically a jacked-up hatchback with SUV-style garnish such as 17’’ alloy wheels, black bumpers and body sills, and front and rear body protection and side mouldings in stainless steel.

So Peugeot 2008 offers you some of the look, practicality, and feel of a Sport Utility, but with the convenience and efficiency of a compact city car. That is the key to this segment’s popularity in Europe.

Looking fairly similar to the Paris Motor Show concept, the production 2008 comes with sculpted bonnet and headlights, the firm’s signature ‘floating grille’, LED DRLs, a stylish sloping roof line, and  dynamic curves, inspired by the double-bubble roofline of the desirable RCZ Sports Coupé.

Official specs of the car are yet to be revealed, but Peugeot confirms that it will be getting a range of diesel and petrol powertrains including e-HDi Diesel and new 3-cylinder petrol with CO₂ starting from just 99g/km.