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Peugeot RC Z concept CAR review

By James Foxall

07 February 2008 14:16

Peugeot has a history of occasional sublime moments of car design punctuating regular functionality. Think 402 from 1935, the 504 Coupe unveiled in 1969 and more recently the 406 Coupe. The 308 RC Z is certainly eye catching. But when it’s launched against Volkswagen’s all-new Scirocco can it live up to its illustrious Peugeot predecessors?

Is the RC Z definitely going to be made then?

Product chief Gilles Boussac says the firm has to be sure it can make a profit on each model sold for the RC Z to get the go-ahead. So while the bean counters are still tapping away on their calculators the official answer is a Gallic shrug and a je ne sais pas. But reaction from its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show was very positive and Boussac believes that adding this car to Peugeot’s range could have a similar rejuvenating effect as the 205 GTi did in the late 1980s. Besides, the firm has gone so far down the road towards production that it’s hard to see it stamping on the brakes now.

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Statistics

How much? £19,000
On sale in the UK: Early 2009
Engine: 1598cc 4-cyl turbo, 218bhp @ 6000 rpm, 221lb ft @ 1600 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 7.0sec 0-60mph, 147mph, 42.2mpg, 160g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1200kg/steel/carbon fibre/aluminium
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4276/1840/1320
Need to know

CAR's rating

Rated 4 out of 5

Handling

Rated 4 out of 5

Performance

Rated 4 out of 5

Usability

Rated 3 out of 5

Feelgood factor

Rated 5 out of 5

Readers' rating

Rated 3.5 out of 5

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Average rating: Rated 3.5 out of 5 (20 votes)

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Peugeot RC Z concept CAR review

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wadman

wadman says

Just horrible

Even the door mirrors look like oversized golf clubs.

15 February 2008 15:51

menorca98

menorca98 says

Peugeot RC Z concept

I totally agree with Mistral in that it has a definite look of a Karmann Ghia from the back - which in my view is no bad thing. If it goes into production at the right money then its got to be a winner - good to see the French starting to get back to some of their bravado in terms of design.

12 February 2008 19:26

karlInSanDiego

karlInSanDiego says

Crunk and smarmy

I believe it's meant to fill your rear view mirror with the sentiment, "Je suis derrière vous et je vais mordre le cul de votre voiture si vous n'avez pas sortir de mon chemin." And the grill's a reflection of the hip-hop crunk teeth (grillz) look. It's gone full-circle! I'd imagine with that motor pushing those numbers you'll do better than 7.0 seconds. My MINI's got the same mill (different tune) with the same weight and 7.0 seconds isn't even in it's vernacular.

11 February 2008 15:03

owarbi

owarbi says

pug rc z

For being an audi tt rip off, with nissan 350z rear lights, and an alfaesque interior, its looks ok. But at the same time, they should have tried better, slapping a pug snout on an audi tt is not enough, am i the only one really looking forward to see the new challenger in the flesh???

10 February 2008 18:26

mistral

mistral says

ghia karmann

Am I the only one who thinks the RCZ's hips, judging from your main picture, have a very clear Ghia Karmann look?

08 February 2008 11:25

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