Peugeot RCZ 2010 Review - International

Peugeot RCZ

Not so much
>> Interior finish doesn't match exterior beauty
>> GTi version, please...

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 5.0/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
-- Rare lion
In the case of the RCZ Peugeot isn't ashamed to admit it's been inspired by Audi's turnaround with the TT. The German sedan brand used its avant-garde coupe to attract buyers back in the Noughties, and France's second-largest automaker has realised it could do well with some extra excitement among its lineup of worthy hatchback, medium and large car offerings.

So here's the Lion brand's version of a coupe for street cred. Distinct from its $70K-plus 407 Coupe -- and not just on price -- the RCZ is designed as an image building exercise; to convey Peugeot's latest line: "exclusive emotion".

It will be a rare and striking sight on Australian roads when it arrives, in small numbers, later this year. Not least because it will land at a wallet-wrenching, Audi-ish pricetag.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
-- Panache at a price
Peugeot will launch three RCZ variants Down Under. Firm figures on pricing were not available at the international launch of Peugeot's new brand icon in Elciego, Spain but we were told to expect a local start-up at around $60K. Details on specifications will also have to wait until (or closer to) the RCZ local launch; after August this year.

Peugeot Australia says the coupe will be well equipped with luxury features including leather trim, heated front seats, climate control, top-end multimedia system and hill-start assist for the manual models. The standard-fit list also includes (acoustic) park assist.

Directional xenon headlights will be offered as part of an option pack for all three models. The package includes a high-end sound system from automotive and entertainment industry specialist, JBL, and Peugeot's 19-inch 'Sortilége' alloy wheel design.

MECHANICAL

To suit its sporting role the 200 model is only offered with manual transmission. It also comes with a shorter shift stick, smaller diameter steering wheel and more rigid front subframe/cross member. The 0-100km/h sprint takes 7.5 seconds.

Just half a second slower is the 156 model, when equipped with a six-speed manual. In the 156 tune the 1.6-litre engine is good for 115kW/240Nm and it can be ordered with a six-speed sequential automatic.

In both states (200 and 156) the petrol engine employs turbocharging and direct fuel-injection for better response and efficiency. The 156 uses 6.7L/100km with manual transmission (or 7.3 equipped with the auto) and the 200 version wants 6.9L/100km, according to EU testing.

A diesel model is also offered; with manual only. The 163 (or 120kW) has loads of torque (340Nm) and uses just 5.3L/100km.

All engines are Euro 5 compliant. Peugeot says its entire engine range will accommodate the latest EU standards by the end of this year.

Attractive 18-inch alloys come standard and the optional 19-inch versions we saw fitted to a few of the launch cars also look good. Peugeot has combined sporty looks and French flair, even at ground level...

An active rear spoiler will lift 19 degrees at speeds over 85km/h and to 34 degrees at 155km/h, or it can be manually activated. 

The RCZ gets disc brakes all around: 302 x 26mm (ventilated) up front and 290 x 12mm at the rear. The 200 model (and those fitted with the optional 19-inch alloys) come with 340 x 30mm discs up front.

Peugeot's Platform 2, as used by the 308 models (hatch, CC and new 3008 crossover), underpins the RCZ but front and rear track dimensions are wider in the sporty coupe, and its height is lower than the CC. Peugeot says the RCZ therefore has a lower centre of gravity than the other 308-based models.

To read more about the 308 CC, from which the RCZ draws its DNA, check out our local drive.

The RCZ is built at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria: the place of other notable turnouts including Chrysler's 300C and the new Aston Martin Rapide. Peugeot's decision to produce the RCZ at Magna Steyr was in order to accommodate the quick turnover the company desired after committing it to production at the Geneva show in 2008. The RCZ Concept was displayed at the Paris show late 2007.

Even the name for this Pug is different, with letters rather than the '0' series nomenclature.

PACKAGING
-- Style over substance
RCZ is strictly about style. It's marketed as a 2+2 but room for rear passengers is too limited for regular use. Think Porsche 911 accommodation: space at a premium but enough when pushed...

Headroom is especially tight at the rear. The striking 'double-bubble' rear screen is a clever mix of flair and necessity, otherwise the RCZ would be a two-seater only... and harder to sell. Peugeot people admitted during the launch that the screen styling pushed the limits of its glass manufacturer's abilities, and we like the outcome.

Distinctive front and rear shoulders give the 308-based coupe a more planted and 'serious' appearance. The bonnet is made of aluminium and has unique hinges that retract into the front guards. The whole front-end has more muscular appearance than on Peugeot's hatches -- there's a hint of classic GT about it.

Inside, the coupe is comfortable and spacious up front with generous legroom, multi (electric) adjustable seating and good vision throughout the cabin. But the two rear seats are for occasional use only and headroom for adults is at a minimum. If left to cargo, with the back seats folded, the rear allows a maximum 760 litres space to the roof.

Typically Peugeot inside, the dash is well-laid out with soft-touch controls and the satnav screen in a central position. The satnav is easy to use and driver commands such as cruise control are accessed via stalks neatly located underneath the steering wheel column.

Other areas of the cabin betray the RCZ's 308 origins, however. Plastics used for the dash underside and within the footwell (for example) look and feel more utilitarian than luxurious which conflicts with its exclusive air.

Most of the cheaper-looking parts are in areas where it doesn't really matter, however, and at eye-level passengers are treated to luxuries like double-stitched leather on the dash, chrome-rimmed instrumentation and an attractive, centrally mounted timepiece which is also available from Peugeot as a matching wristwatch.

SAFETY
-- Sporty but safe
Euro NCAP awarded the donor 308 CC five stars and the company expects the same for the RCZ.

The coupe has reinforced side members and stiffeners have been added to its long doors, while at the rear a beam is used to absorb impact and ensure "a good level of reparability".

The RCZ comes with dual front, and front passenger head and side airbag protection as standard, so too stability control, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.

Too long in the back seat may result in a crook neck. Like the warning applied to Audi TT roadsters, the driver should consider rear passengers' lack of head space.

COMPETITORS
-- Best in show
At the expected $60K-plus price point the RCZ is up against a smallish crew of coupes including its target, Audi TT which starts at under $3K more. The proximity of these pricetags is likely to make things very difficult for the Peugeot in our estimation.

There are some other interesting choices among the 'affordable' coupe class, including Alfa Romeo GT, the BMW 1 Series coupes, Nissan 370 Z, Mazda RX-8 and even open top offerings like Audi A3 Cabrio and the VW Eos. Dollars aside, none look as good as the RCZ!

ON THE ROAD

The RCZ's attraction is not entirely looks. We drove the 200 model (the entry version wasn't available at the launch) and the diesel, and both offer sporty driving.

The petrol 1.6 engine is a strong unit. In Peugeot's 200 tune it offers good low-down response, accessibility at midrange and willingness to rev. The diesel option is smooth at idle and strong in-gear, and its generous torque is easily tapped.

They're very different powerplants but it's hard to split the two on choice because the diesel is so well sorted and inclined to good cruising speeds, which come quickly and easily. It doesn't sound like a chaff-cutter either...

From what we could establish during the too-short (240km; halved with a co-driver and including a stint in the diesel model) launch drive, the top petrol version is responsive from low revs and has good mid-range power. Enthusiastic drivers won't be disappointed.

The standard-fit six-speed manual is super smooth but our co-driver kept catching the wrong gates. Every. Single. Time. Luckily the urge from both engines was enough to avoid stalling the drive.

We found no such issues when we got our chance and in fact thoroughly enjoyed the shift action and found the gearing well-suited in both models. Again, the launch route was too short but the roads were demanding and offered stints of spirited driving where the RCZ excelled. We're looking forward to the local launch and a seven-day test for more time behind the wheel.

Steering response matches German, Italian and compatriot front-wheel drive sporties, in both versions. It's like Peugeot has remembered its GTi fans and applied a dose of the hot hatch's fun factor to its more indulgent and exclusive coupe.

The RCZ has good stability and balance in corners, and the sharp steering complements its sporty set up. Again, front-end grip is especially confidence inspiring.

Road surfaces over the route were generally smooth, meaning ride was unfussed so we'll have to wait til the RCZ arrives locally for a better assessment. We noticed road noise from the Continentals but otherwise the cabin is quiet and free from wind noise.

The cabin is airy with good vision front and side, and surprisingly, through to the rear. The 'boot' sits high but that very special rear windscreen lets in a good view. Compared to the TT, rear three-quarter vision is good. Less supple drivers may need to rely on park assist, however.

Forget the rear seat. Peugeot means it when it calls it "occasional", much like Porsche does with its 911. It's a useful inclusion but households over two will have to look elsewhere... 308 CC, for example.

The RCZ was one of the standouts at the Paris show in concept form and to see it still so remarkable, and available to drive so soon, is impressive. But far from a rush job, the coupe looks and generally feels complete and its design flair is priceless. It actually looks like it cost a lot to build and it's only let down by a couple of cheaper cabin bits. We can live with that...

The RCZ is no TT, but it doesn't have to be. It stands to be a rarer sight on the roads than the German coupe, and anyone who's contemplated Audi's options list knows the price of all the good -- these days, necessary -- kit which Peugeot Australia says will come as standard.

This is a heart over head temptation.

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