Peugeot RCZ – it’s like an Audi TT, but French

The man in the dark sunglasses is back. This time, though, he is not so shy about showing us his car. So, here, in full, is the new Peugeot RCZ.

Revealed a month out from the start of the Frankfurt Motor Show, where the car will make its public debut, these pictures show off the stunning lines and attractive curves of the RCZ. It is quite a nice car to look at, really, even if the Audi inspiration is clear.

The most memorable exterior styling cue is probably the “double bubble” roofline. Check the curves on the rear window! The active rear spoiler has two settings, depending on the speed travelled, and Peugeot say it has the right balance between road holding and fuel consumption. They also say the RCZ has “superb aerodynamics”. Although, in the press release below at least, they don’t put a figure to that claim.

The 2+2 coupé will be powered by three engines at its launch. All turbocharged four cylinders, two petrol, one diesel. The entry level is the 2.0 HDi FAP (no, I’m not kidding) which is good for 120kW (163bhp) and 340Nm (251lb ft) of torque.

Next are the two petrol engines, both 1.6 litre in capacity and closely related to the offerings found in the MINI range. The first produces 116kW (156bhp), with torque rated at 240Nm (177lb ft). The second headlines the RCZ lineup the 2.0 THP offering 150kW (200bhp) and peak torque of 275Nm (203lb ft) with overboost function. The higher spec engine features Sound System technology that creates a different note according to engine speed, “just like a musical instrument”.

All engine options can be mated to a six speed manual gearbox, while only the lower spec 1.6 litre petrol engine has the option of a six speed sequential automatic transmission. Although, this won’t be available until a few months after the car goes on sale in the first half of 2010

Sadly there is only one photo supplied to date of the interior, described as possessing “subtly elitist ambience”. Not content with that array of adjectives the PR team continue saying the interior is “echoing the world of motor sport”. Quite. Although, the leather dash is pretty cool, it has to be said.

There’s more pics to be viewed after the jump along with a detailed press release from Peugeot UK. As usual, clicking on any of the pictures will load a wallpaper-friendly 2000px super image.

UPDATE: The Motor Report brings us news saying the RCZ will launch in Australia in the latter half of next year. Très bien!

THE PEUGEOT RCZ – A DYNAMIC NEW CHAPTER

• On sale in Spring 2010
• Four power-train options including 200bhp petrol turbo
• Great driving and road holding qualities
• A range of options available to personalize the RCZ
• Stunning looks combine with practicality

The launch of the Peugeot RCZ will mark the start of a dynamic new chapter in the history of Peugeot. This stunning coupé has been designed to be a special vehicle within the Peugeot range, aimed directly at customers who see their cars as a source of driving enjoyment as well as daily transport.

The name, RCZ, symbolises this special positioning as it will be the first Peugeot passenger car not to use the traditional numbering system with a central ‘zero’ or ‘double zero’.

Designed to enhance the sheer enjoyment of driving, the RCZ is both dynamic (the top of the range model features an all new 1.6 litre THP 200 bhp engine) and responsible, offering an innovative blend of performance and environmental-friendliness. With its reduced weight, fine-tuned aerodynamics and modern engine technology, the entry level model has CO2 emissions of only 139 g/km.

Due to the special nature of the vehicle, it will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria in a production centre that specialises in exclusive vehicles built in small volumes.

Styling

The RCZ is a compact 2+ 2 Coupé with a number of key styling features. The “double bubble” of the roof, which was a major talking point of the original concept car, is retained in the production car.

The aluminium “roof arches”, another feature of the concept car, are also retained and help highlight the front windscreen, black roof panel and dark-tinted rear windscreen. At the front the RCZ retains the marque’s characteristic feline look.

The vehicle stands 1.36 m high and, with the optimised airflow due to the double bubble roof, has superb aerodynamics. At the rear, an active rear boot spoiler also contributes to the car’s aerodynamic efficiency; it can be deployed in two positions according to the speed of the vehicle to ensure an ideal balance between road holding and fuel consumption.

Interior

The passenger compartment of the RCZ instantly immerses the driver in a subtly elitist ambience echoing the world of motor sport.

“Getting into” the vehicle, the driver discovers an ergonomic driving position, ideal for enjoying the RCZ’s high levels of road-holding. The wrap-around seats with their integral head restraints fit like a glove around the front occupants, and all the controls are easily within the reach of the driver.

The use of high quality materials throughout the interior combines with the elegant design to enhance the overall premium feeling of the interior.

The instrument panel dials are contained in metal cases, with photo-etched, back-lit markings, a feature which is also continued in the stylish centrally mounted clock.

The fascia panel is covered entirely with an innovative soft feel material, hi-tech in appearance and very elegant in style. Customers will also be able to choose from several different colours. Nappa integral leather trim, a luxurious thick leather with a particularly fine, smooth grain is also available.

The overall ambience of the interior can also be enhanced by a range of hi-tech in-car-entertainment systems – Peugeot Connect 3D multimedia system, JBLâ„¢ Hi-fi system, Peugeot Connect USB box ….

The interior is also very versatile, allowing users to adapt to many situations. For example, for a long weekend, the boot offers a capacity of 384 litres (321 dm3 according to the VDA standard) added to which are storage spaces under the boot floor. There is also the potential to increase this capacity further by folding the rear seat backs down.

Finally, it offers two occasional seats, fully sculpted and perfectly usable, especially since the design of the roof with its double bubble offers extra headroom to these occasional rear passengers.

In the RCZ, good looks combine with practicality…

Power-train options

At launch in 2010, three engines will find their place under the large aluminium bonnet of the RCZ. All high-performance engines in every sense of the word with high torque and power outputs, low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and all meeting the Euro 5 emission standard. The reduction of the environmental impact of the vehicle was one of the project’s key priorities.

1.6 litre THP 200 bhp six speed manual gearbox – This all new engine allows the car’s chassis to fulfil its true potential. With its maximum torque of 188 lb ft at 1700rpm (or 203 lb ft with overboost) and a maximum power of 200bhp at 5800rpm, it enables the RCZ to accelerate from 50 to 75mph in 6.5 seconds in fifth gear and 0 to 62mph in 7.6 seconds. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 39.8mpg with CO2 emission of less than 165g/km.

The 4-cylinder engine has a capacity of 1598 cm3 combined with a range of innovative technologies like the twin-scroll turbocharger for performance and instant response at very low engine speeds, direct petrol injection, and variable valve lift coupled with variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts (VTi technology), for reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The “sound of the engine” during acceleration has also been optimised through the use of Sound System technology. A different sound is created according to the engine speed, just like a musical instrument.

1.6 litre THP 156 bhp six speed manual gearbox or six speed automatic gearbox – This turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine achieves a remarkable balance between performance (177 lb ft at 1400 rpm and 156 bhp at 5800 rpm) and fuel consumption (40.9 mpg and 159 g/km of CO2 with a manual gearbox). It will also be available from the summer of 2010, with an all new 6-speed sequential automatic gearbox.

2.0 litre HDi FAP 163 bhp six speed manual gearbox – With a capacity of 1997 cm3, this engine develops a maximum power of 163 bhp at 3750 rpm and a generous maximum torque of 251 lb ft at 2000 rpm. To obtain this level of performance it has a new generation ECCS (Extreme Conventional Combustion System) combustion chamber design, a variable-geometry low-inertia turbocharger, a high-pressure diesel injection pump with a maximum pressure of 2000 bars and electronic solenoid injectors with eight apertures.

This engine optimises the RCZ’s potential in terms of road holding while limiting its fuel consumption to only 52.3 mpg in the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.

Suspension, Steering, Brakes…..

The RCZ uses the considerable knowledge and expertise of Peugeot with regards to driveability and road holding, to ensure it takes the notion of driving enjoyment to a new level within the Peugeot range.

The RCZ benefits from the already highly efficient suspension set-up found on other platform two vehicles (McPherson type front suspension and rear torsion beam), but it has been specially revised for the RCZ.

Compared to the standard ‘Platform Two’ vehicle, the ride height has been lowered by 20mm, the centre of gravity is also lower by 40mm, the front track has been widened by 54mm and the rear track is wider by 72mm.

The shock absorber calibration has also been revised to ensure the best possible levels of road holding and the RCZ will be available with both 18” and 19” wheels and tyres.

On versions of the RCZ fitted with the petrol turbocharged 200 bhp THP engine, the front suspension benefits from a special lower anti-roll bar to make the car even more responsive and agile.

The hydraulic power steering is designed to offer accuracy of the highest order and excellent responsiveness.

Braking, meanwhile, is powerful and durable and is assured by generously dimensioned ventilated discs with a diameter of 302 mm and a thickness of 26 mm (340×30 mm with the 200 bhp THP engine). All models are equipped with rear brake discs with a diameter of 290×12 mm.

To assist manoeuvring on steep gradients, all versions of the RCZ come with Hill Assist. This function is coupled as standard with ESP which, except on versions with an automatic gearbox, includes an intelligent traction control system (a sophisticated ASR which automatically adapts the traction of both front wheels according to the available grip levels), and of course dynamic stability control (DSC), electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) and emergency brake assist (EBA). The DSC, ASR and EBA functions can be disconnected simultaneously (ESP off) so that experienced and demanding drivers can fully exploit the car’s capabilities.

Personalisation

So that every customer can make their car unique, the RCZ lays great store on personalisation, to keep within the vehicle’s exclusive positioning.

The range options include: a real carbon roof, roof arches in different colours (black chrome, “satin finish”), a range of 18” and 19’’ alloy wheels in several finishes (matt black, polished black, dark grey, diamanté), black lacquered body parts at the front, carbon door mirror covers, bodywork detailing, etc.

Customers will be able to order these items at the time of purchase and they will be available individually or grouped together.

Maximum safety

In addition to the high levels of primary safety, a direct result of the excellent road holding. The secondary safety levels are further boosted by the optimised structural design, efficient means of occupant restraint and the fitment of an active bonnet which ‘pops-up’ due to a pyrotechnic triggering system and, therefore, limits the degree of injury a pedestrian is likely to suffer in the event of a collision.

The RCZ goes on sale in Spring 2010.