New: Peugeot RCZ

[ree]

Peugeot has turned its 308 RCZ concept car into a production reality. The shapely coupé will go on sale next year, Peugeot sticking remarkably close to the concept car's look. When it was first unveiled in 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 308 RCZ was immediately dubbed a rival for the Audi TT and the French firm will display the production car - which drops Peugeot's usual numbering system and is simply badged RCZ - on the Audi's home soil again at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

The most dramatic feature of the concept was undoubtedly the 'double-bubble' Perspex roof framed with bare metal and that signature design element is evident on the first shots Peugeot has released of the new showroom-ready RCZ. Peugeot claims that the RCZ as a 2+2, but if the interior space is anything like the concept's then that's an ambitious claim, as the rear seats were little more than a parcel shelf.

Bold wheelarches and Peugeot's large gaping front grille feature on the RCZ's head-turning lines, while Peugeot promises that the RCZ will offer a drive as exciting as its looks. It's remaining quiet about power and drivetrains for now, but expect the RCZ to feature a line-up utilising small capacity petrol and diesel engines using turbocharging to deliver good power, economy and emissions. With Peugeot claiming that the RCZ 'acts as an illustration of all Peugeot's key values,' it's also possible that in time the RCZ will feature hybrid drive.

Full details of the striking coupé will be revealed nearer its Frankfurt motorshow unveil, with the RCZ reaching showrooms in Spring 2010.

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interesting and sporty looking…

 

[Sayyaaf]

my only problem with french car .. is that they seem to have a very interesting and Original ideas but always the wrong dimensions or proportions .. for instant this car .. the tale or trunk looks longer than the bonnet .. few tweaks and this car will look stunning .. but I guess the platform is here to blame ..

 

[jack]

there are alot of reports about RCZs sights near Graz(after all they build it at magna)
i will try to get hold of some photos

 

[VroomVroom]

Ha Peugeot trying to be British with that rear!

Who do they think they are trying to be? Jag?

 

[Amo]

I really like it!

 

[Merc1]

I do too, I hate that we don't get some of these French cars anymore. Their designs are (for better or worse, in this case better) very unique. This car is awesome, but I wonder what the quality will be like?


M

 

[jack]

crossed a RCZ today
tried to follow him, but there was alot of traffic
there was no camo on the car, a really nice peugeot - i would take it anytime over a TT

 

[Rainer271]

Peugeot Planning Second Generation RCZ


The new CEO of Peugeot-Citroen, ex-Renault man Carlos Tavares, announced back in April that the French company will cut its lineup of cars from 45 down to just 26 models across three different brands.

While a more streamlined lineup is certainly to our liking, cost-cutting measures could mean the end for several of our favorite French cars. Thankfully, there's plenty of room for Peugeot to cut in the MPV segment and the exciting RCZ coupe is safe.

According to a Peugeot brand CEO Maxime Picat with Dutch publication Autovisie, a second generation RCZ is in the pipeline. Originally launched in 2010, the car received a mid-life facelift last year, meaning a new model won't arrive until 2016 or later.

The major thing to get excited about is weight, or rather the lack of it, as the same EMP2 platform used by the 308will be used here. Conservatively speaking, this could cut a significant chunk of about 100 kg (220 lbs).

So how has Peugeot's brand new coupe managed to design its way to success? It all has to do with the number of heads turned per euro spent. While the Audi TT or VW Scirocco are great, the RCZ looks even better than the Germans and does so for a bit less money. Highlights of its contemporary design include sparkly metallic roof rails, a perky rear end and double-bubble roof like a Zagato concept.

The hot version called RCZ R, which is powered by a highly tuned 1.6-liter turbo with 270 hp, is the first Peugeot in decades to win a comparison, showing it's faster than a 2-liter turbo Megane RS.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/peugeot-planning-second-generation-rcz-83216.html