Peugeot gets R-acy

Peugeot seems set to unleash a series of ‘R’ models tuned by its motorsport division as the French brand seeks to recapture its reputation as a manufacturer of characterful sporting cars.

The first car fettled by Peugeot Sport is the RCZ R coupe, which debuted in concept form at the Paris motor show last week. The most powerful production car in Peugeot history, the 194kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol two-door goes on sale late in 2013 and is almost certain to make it to Australia.

But Peugeot’s Global Production Range Director Laurent Blanchet confirmed exclusively to motoring.com.au that ultra-high performance versions of the new 208 mini and forthcoming 2014 308 small-car were among other candidates for Peugeot Sport treatment as the company attempts to fight its way out of its current slump with a slew of new and interesting vehicles.

“Yes, these two cars make sense,” Mr Blanchet said. “If you look at the market you will obviously see this kind of cars exist in the B-segment and also the C-segment.”

“I think if this (RCZ R) co-operation is good at the end for us then we have more cars developing with them.

“We haven’t decided anything for the moment, but of course we have ideas to follow this new history we are building with Peugeot Sport.”

Peugeot Sport’s move into road cars smacks very much the successful tuning efforts of RenaultSport, which is primarily a motorsport company but also develops the highly-rated RS Clio and Megane models for Renault.

Peugeot Sport has won the word rally championship, the Le Mans 24-hour and been an engine supplier in F1. Its diesel sportscar program was axed in January as Peugeot sales and income plunged in the midst of the Eurozone financial crisis.

Mr Blanchet said the desire to create a high-level performance car and develop it quickly was why a deal was struck with Peugeot Sport for the RCZ R.

“We wanted an exceptional car and we didn’t want to follow the same way of the other cars, let’s say the heavy system of conception and production we have,” he explained.

“We wanted something very flexible and quick to the market, very good in terms of performance and that’s what we needed from Peugeot Sport. That is the main reason we have decided not to follow the same way as the development for other cars.”

The RCZ R is powered by a boiling-hot version of the turbo-petrol engine shared with the Mini Cooper S and is also fitted with a limited-slip differential, firmer suspension, uprated tyres and a refettled interior and exterior.

Mr Blanchet said that development testing of the RCZ R had been very positive.

“Just yesterday I had a report from the people who test drive the car – and they are pilots - and they told me the car was amazing, especially the sound of the car, the handling and the power of the engine.”

The RCZ R will hit the market in Europe and Australia only months after the 208 GTi hot hatch, which Peugeot is promoting very much as the modern and rightful successor to the legendary 205 GTi.

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