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By Jethro Bovingdon
First Drives
15 March 2010 21:01
This is the new Peugeot RCZ coupé, a car with a huge weight of expectation on its incredibly broad shoulders. It is – yet again – an opportunity for Peugeot to get back to the sort of chassis dynamism that stole our hearts back in the ‘80s and early ‘90s with a string of seminal GTI hits including go-faster versions of the 205, 405, 309, 106 and 306. If the new Peugeot RCZ drives as well as it looks we’re in for a treat, because this French coupé really is a stunner. It looks exotic, low and really, really wide in the metal with a hint of Spyker about its rear haunches. Seriously. This is one concept car that broke out of the motor show and spirited itself straight into dealer showrooms. The TT, the RCZ's most natural rival, is a real Plain Jane in comparison. And that's praise indeed for a democratically priced French coupé.Peugeot RCZ: the range at a glanceThe new Pug RCZ will come with three engines at launch: a 163bhp diesel and two 1.6-litre turbocharged petrols, one with 156bhp and the range-topper with 200bhp. The four-cylinder petrol is the same engine as the Mini Cooper S's, so we already know it’s a cracker. Whichever engine you choose you’ll have the option of Sport or GT trim. The latter brings full leather trim and 19-inch alloys. Prices start at £20,450 for the HDI 163 FAP Sport and rise to £24,500 for a GT-spec THP200 model. That’s considerably cheaper than the TT, which starts at £26,245.Driving the Peugeot RCZ dieselCAR snagged a very early drive in the RCZ, ruling out testing the intriguing THP200 model. That’s a great shame as the 200 has extra bracing under the engine for added stiffness and response, a smaller steering wheel, shorter-throw gearshift and retuned suspension with a more aggressive edge. However, the HDI 163 FAP is still a seriously quick little coupé and with 250lb ft (check) it should thump along the road just as a sports car should. You can read how it stacks up against the coupé class benchmarks – the Audi TT and VW Scirocco – in CAR Magazine's exclusive triple test in the new April 2010 issue of CAR Magazine out on 17 March.But to continue reading our quick web review, click 'Next' below.>> Click 'Next' to find out if the Peugeot RCZ HDI 163 delivers on the road
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Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDI 163 (2010) CAR review
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bishopstortford says
RE: Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDI 163 (2010) CAR review
I have had a good look at this thing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. My first thought was 'how extremely ugly'. Now I have seen a few on the road, I think it is even uglier. It would't be quite so bad if that Peugeot nose had been left off, and something smoother added, but how anyone can compare it in any way with an Audi TT , VW Scirocco, or even a Mazda RX8, sadly now unobtainable, I have no idea. You could even get a 2 year old Boxster for this sort of price! I don't like Renaults but for the money I would have a Megane 250 Cup.
I have had a good look at this thing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. My first thought was 'how extremely ugly'.
Now I have seen a few on the road, I think it is even uglier. It would't be quite so bad if that Peugeot nose had been left off, and something smoother added, but how anyone can compare it in any way with an Audi TT , VW Scirocco, or even a Mazda RX8, sadly now unobtainable, I have no idea.
You could even get a 2 year old Boxster for this sort of price!
I don't like Renaults but for the money I would have a Megane 250 Cup.
16 September 2010 10:16
lanimae says
I'm not sure about the UK, but here in Australia, Peugeots have a terrible name for reliability, especially in the hot hatch models. They have beefed up bits of the car and left other bits flimsy and unsubstantial. (especially the 206GTi 180 which simply fell to bits). The electrics are hit and miss to say the least. The gaping mouth has not been a hit and for my money, doesn't suit any of their models. One last thing, at least here in Australia, the $4,500 RT4 traffic and GPS system is almost useless. Even with the latest maps, it insists on a saga-tour zigzagging through unrelated suburbs on unralted roads. That is of course when the pop-up display is working, which is also hit and miss. The speed limiter is almost dangerous, what a stupid gadget! In short, Although this is a decent looking car, it is still going to be French, regardless of where it is made. Unless quality is improved, it isn't starter. And, don't forget, they fall into the "luxury" market here. A 407 is about £30,000 here, what on earth would the RCZ cost?
09 April 2010 17:02
andrew456 says
The debate about the design of the car being copied is silly..... the TT is a mini 911, albeit more bahaus influenced..... The peugeot is equally different due to its flourishes like the aluminium effect roof rails, bubbly roof and the peugeot mouth (am i the only one who thinks that this is finally a car that best suits it? a swan song before the 508?) nobody wrote off the 350 or 370z for resembling the TT.... interior wise i prefer the peugeot.... its just a bit mmmm.... plain in the TT....
20 March 2010 21:14
lokinen says
Markh, just read the latest issue of Car. The big test is of the diesel RCZ.,which isn't as good a punt as the TT or the scirocco....but then they get a ride in the 200 petrol job which by all accounts is something else altogether and of which they think Audi should really be worried.
19 March 2010 09:59
markh says
On your first post lokinen I think were agreeing--the drivers car is the Audi (wow cant believe I wrote that :-) --thats a first--but the new aluminiulm TT has made a big difference). Re your second blog re £14k you should check out my big on the Ferrarri roller coaster--where the slaves (sorry migrant workers) who built it got $70 dollars a week, and live 6 to a room or a converted container. Now that really is sinister controlling.
On your first post lokinen I think were agreeing--the drivers car is the Audi (wow cant believe I wrote that :-) --thats a first--but the new aluminiulm TT has made a big difference).
Re your second blog re £14k you should check out my big on the Ferrarri roller coaster--where the slaves (sorry migrant workers) who built it got $70 dollars a week, and live 6 to a room or a converted container. Now that really is sinister controlling.
18 March 2010 21:36
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