Peugeot RCZ

Peugeot RCZ
Facelifted Peugeot RCZ
Overview
Manufacturer	Peugeot
Production	2010–present
Assembly	Graz, Austria (Magna Steyr)[nb 1]
Designer	Boris Reinmöller[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Sports compact
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	FF
Platform	PSA PF2
Related	Peugeot 308
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 THP200 straight-4 (Turbo) 2.0 HDi FAP 163 PS straight-4 1.6 156 PS petrol 1.6 270 BHP Turbocharged EP6CDTR
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,612 mm (102.8 in)
Length	4,290 millimetres (168.9 in)
Width	1,845 mm (72.6 in)(excluding mirrors)
Height	1,359 mm (53.5 in)
Curb weight	1,394 kg (3,073 lb) (1.6) 1,474 kg (3,250 lb) (HDI)

The Peugeot RCZ is a coupé manufactured by the French car company Peugeot. It was launched in April 2010^[2] and is available in almost 80 countries as of 2013 (except the US).^[3] It was officially introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2009 and was initially announced as the 308 RCZ concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt show.^[4] It is assembled by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Magna International. Petrol engines are based on Prince platform while diesel is part of the HDi project, RCZ was developed under code name "T75",^[5]

The 30,000th RCZ came off the assembly line on June 21, 2011.^[6] The 50,000th RCZ was built on 14 February 2013 and was painted in Moroccan Red, a new red on the facelifted vehicle.

History

Pre-facelifted Peugeot RCZ

The RCZ was originally planned as a simple concept car but it received critical acclaim, capturing the imagination of the public and professionals. Peugeot decided to take the leap from concept to actual car and began production. The car's lines and style have remained very close to the original concept so as not to disappoint public opinion, however a series of changes were made to the central dual exhaust system which was replaced by a dual exhaust to the left of the rear bumper. The RCZ has double-bubble roof inspired by Zagato.^[7]

RCZ Rear Windscreen

Specifications

The RCZ is 4.287 m (168.8 in) long, 1.845 m (72.6 in) wide and 1.359 m (53.5 in) in height and a wheelbase of 2.612 m (102.8 in).

Engines

Equipment

The RCZ can be specified including features such as electric heated and adjustable seating with driver's memory, leather seats and dashboard and hill assist function. Options include 19-inch alloy wheels and a JBL sound system. An Elan or Sportif Kit option pack can be selected to change the colour finish of the roof, door mirrors and front grille.

Derivatives

RCZ Hybrid4 Concept

Peugeot RCZ Hybrid4

RCZ Hybrid4 HYbrid4, incorporating the principle of the HYbrid4, or all-wheel drive, 3008 technology with a 2.0 l HDi FAP 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp) at the front and an electric motor 27 kW (37 PS; 36 hp) mounted on the rear and 6-speed prundletronic gearbox. Announced fuel consumption: 3.7 litres per 100 kilometres (76 mpg_-imp; 64 mpg_-US) in mixed cycle. CO2 expected is 95 g/km.

RCZ R

In November 2012, Peugeot announced their intention of building a more powerful, performance oriented RCZ. In July 2013, the first official pictures of the car were released. The RCZ R will have a turbocharged 1.6l engine capable of producing 270 bhp (making it the most powerful engine of this displacement in any production car) and 330NM of torque, allowing it a 0-62 time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph. It will also feature uprated 380mm Alcon brakes and suspension, a significantly reduced curb weight and a Torsen front differential, like that found on the mk2 Ford Focus RS, to reduce the inevitable torque steer faced by a front-wheel-drive car with this level of power output. The RCZ R went on sale in January 2014 at £31,995.^[9][10][11]

Special editions

The RCZ Allure is a special edition of the 1.6 THP156 with 6-speed Tiptronic transmission and 18-inch wheels.^[12]

The Asphalt is limited edition (500 units) version of the RCZ. It includes 19-inch black and silver alloy wheels, black leather sport seats.^[13]

The RCZ Brownstone is a limited edition available exclusively in Germany in metallic brown paint with silver racing strips. Inside, the special version is also in brown, with Cohiba leather and Alcantara trim.^[14]

The RCZ Magnetic is available exclusively in Britain, with production limited to 170 units. Models are available in pearlescent black with Flame Red leather sports seats or white with black leather sports seats, with matte black roof arches and a black grille, brake calipers and door mirrors. They also feature a soft touch leather sports steering wheel and gearshift paddles.^[15]

Reception

The RCZ has been well received, gaining the Top Gear 2010 Coupe of the Year award^[16] and the Auto Express Special Design Award 2010.^[17] and has won red dot awards.^[18] It has been cited as a return to form for Peugeot's lines of higher performance vehicles following the poor reception of the Peugeot 207 GTI. Autocar magazine described it as 'good to drive', 'albeit more for its peppy, happy-to-be-worked character than its sheer pace.'.^[19]

Motorsport

A modified version of the RCZ is used in the Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup Italy one make race. The car used is known as the RCZ Peugeot Sport, which features an increased power output from 200 to 250 bhp, uprated brakes and an adjustable rear spoiler amongst standard motorsport preparations such as weight reduction and a roll cage.^[20] Racing versions of the RCZ have also competed successfully in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, claiming class victories with diesel based variants in 2010 and 2011 and with the RCZ Peugeot Sport in 2012.^[21]

Sales and production

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peugeot RCZ.

• Official Peugeot page
• Official UK RCZ website