2010 Peugeot RCZ
2010 Peugeot RCZ
2010 Peugeot RCZ
2010 Peugeot RCZ
French ‘Audi TT’ virtually identical to stunning 2007 concept car and here in mid 2010. By JEZ SPINKS.
2010 Peugeot RCZ
2010PeugeotRCZ
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2010 Peugeot RCZ2010 Peugeot RCZ2010 Peugeot RCZ2010 Peugeot RCZ2010 Peugeot RCZ2010 Peugeot RCZ 2010 Peugeot RCZ 2010 Peugeot RCZ 2010 Peugeot RCZ 2010 Peugeot RCZ 2010 Peugeot RCZ
Peugeot is set to rediscover sportiness after unveiling the production version of its new Audi TT rival, the RCZ.
The showroom version of the stylish coupe will become the first Peugeot passenger car to abandon the company’s zero-based naming system, but otherwise remains faithful to the 2007 308 RCZ concept.
This includes the RCZ’s unusual “double bubble” roof and aluminium roof arches that can be personalised in either black, chrome or ‘satin’.
The RCZ goes on sale in Australia in mid 2010 and is based on the same platform as the 308 small car.
It has been designed, however, to deliver more dynamic handling with a 20mm-lower ride height, 40mm-lower centre of gravity, and significantly wider front and rear tracks.
Bulging wheelarches will also be filled with large tyres, ranging from 18 to 19 inches, which in turn are fitted with big brakes.
The most powerful version of the 1.36-metre-high RCZ also gains a lower anti-roll bar on the front suspension, which Peugeot claims further improves the coupe’s agility.
This variant features a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 147kW and 255Nm (275Nm with overboost).
Mated to a six-speed manual, the range-topping RCZ sprints from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.6 seconds.
A hybrid version of the RCZ could also go into production, based on the all-wheel-drive diesel-electric RCZ Hybrid concept car that will debut alongside the production coupe at this September’s Frankfurt motor show – boasting CO2 emissions of just 95 grams per km.
Peugeot says it has also used sound technology to artificially enhance the 147kW RCZ’s exhaust note during acceleration.
Two other launch engines include a detuned version of the same turbo petrol engine – with outputs of 115kW and 240Nm – and a 2.0-litre diesel offering 120kW and 340Nm.
The diesel and lesser-powered petrol engines are available with a choice of either manual or automatic transmissions with six gear ratios.
2010 Peugeot RCZ2010 Peugeot RCZ 2010 Peugeot RCZ 2010 Peugeot RCZ
Peugeot says the RCZ’s active rear spoiler contributes to aerodynamic efficiency, and an aluminium bonnet helps reduce the coupe’s weight.
An optional carbonfibre roof saves more weight as well as lowering the car’s centre of gravity.
Like the TT, the RCZ is essentially a two-seater sports coupe that offers two extra “occasional seats”, which are likely to be suitable only for kids or luggage.
Boot capacity is a respectable 384 litres and includes additional storage spaces under the floor. The rear seats also fold down to expand cargo space.
Peugeot Australia is hoping to sell between 350 and 400 RCZs a year, with pricing likely to be more affordable than the Audi TT.
The RCZ is revealed just two months after the French car maker completed a motor racing comeback with victory in the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race, and Peugeot is heralding the car as “the start of a dynamic new chapter in the history of Peugeot”.
Peugeot has struggled to appeal to enthusiast drivers since the 205 GTi hot-hatch of the ’80s and ’90s.
The RCZ will be built in Austria by specialist builder Magna Steyr.