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Weekend roadtest : Peugeot RCZ
publication date: May 15, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
The Peugeot lion really has found something to roar
about in the sleek shape of the new RCZ Sports Coupe.
Developed from the Frankfurt Motor Show 2007 concept car, the RCZ it
pitched against the class dominating Audi TT and competes with the VW
Scirocco and Alfa Brera as it opens a new chapter in Peugeot’s 200 year
history after it goes on sale at the end of this month.
| |  | It has a very distinctive double-bubble roof and rear
window, muscular
stance and features an active rear spoiler which varies angle as speed
increases while the interior is highly specified with multiple airbags
and sophisticated braking system, stability programme and traction
control, sports seats and folding rear seats which provide high carrying
capacity for a coupe.
Built under contract by Magna of Austria, who also
assemble the Aston Martin Rapide, the Peugeot RCZ models will be closely
limited to 17,000 models annually and 4,250 will come to the UK
beginning very shortly. Peugeot UK has already taken over 400 orders for
the model.
| Launched in Sport and GT specifications with cloth or
leather trim as
standard there will initially be a choice of 156bhp 1.6 petrol or 163bhp
2.0 diesel models.
In a few months the range will expand through the
addition of a remapped 200bhp 1.6 petrol engine, and six speed
automatic transmission will be available instead of the standard
six-speed manual gearboxes.
This most powerful version has completely
different sports suspension to enhance performance. | |  | The engines have proven applications in Peugeot, BMW,
MINI and Citroen
DS3 models and have particularly low CO2 emissions.
Peugeot has set out to create and offer the RCZ has a highly personal
model in the way that MINI has captured imaginations and to this end the
Sports Coupe buyers will be able to pick, mix and match a range of
options including carbon fibre roof panel, coloured sweeping roof arches
and several designs of alloys wheels in 18 and 19-inch sizes.
The anticipated model mix being ordered in the UK has changed as
enquiries come into dealerships and it is now apparent that diesels will
account for 50pc of initial orders instead of the 30pc expected and
customers are taking advantage of the extensive options list to
personalise their cars. |  | | This year, Peugeot UK believe they will sell about 2,500
RCZ models,
rising to 3,500 in 2011 and still more 12 months later, when a hybrid
version is also expected to join the series. You can order the 200bhp
and automatic transmission models now so the range comprises eight cars
and runs from £20,450 to £25,050.Undercutting the price of the sector leading Audi TT by
£5,000,
independent residual value calculations place the RCZ on a remarkable
for new model estimate of 46.3pc of list price behind the 48.53pc of the
TT but ahead of the BMW 1 with 42.52pc and even Scirocco at 40.97pc. | This is down to the rarity of the car, its pricing, equipment and safety
features.
A brief drive of both Sport and GT models with 163bhp 2.0 diesel and
156bhp 1.6 petrol engines and 6speed manual boxes showed very different
characters. The diesel had immense pulling power and urgency while the
petrol model was significantly quieter and composed and seemed to have a
smoother and quieter ride.
|  | | Handling was very surefooted and the ride of both was
compliant while
visibility was surprisingly good for a sports coupe bodystyle and access
to the front seats was easy but the rear pair are only fit for children
to wiggle into. Drivers will like the precision and feedback from the
major controls and the familiarity of the secondary switches. The
steeply raked windscreen did produce some annoying reflections over the
instruments and central fascia as well. |
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