Peugeot RCZ 2013 Review

OVERVIEW

Once with sales approaching 9000, and then with plans to sell thousands of cars each month, the French brand has found it hard going in recent years. In 2012 it sold just 5071 cars. This year Peugeot’s local target is closer to 7000.

With the all-new 208, a new 308 around the corner and smart, sassy new SUVs almost on the water, the brand’s line-up is better than many. But it still faces some image issues. The new 208 GTI will help, but chiefly amongst the RCZ’s functions is to help give the brand’s lion logo some teeth.

“RCZ is not a volume car for us. [But] It builds our brand, builds our image. [So] For us and our dealers it’s a very important car – a halo car,” Peugeot Automobiles Australia boss Bill Gillespie told motoring.com.au.

“[With the launch of the new model] We’re bringing the car to far more prominence… As we refresh the brand [with cars like RCZ and new 208GTI], we’re looking for a slightly more male focus. And we want to use cars like the RCZ to give the brand a harder, more performance based image,” he stated.

Gillespie says he’d like to see the new RCZ settle to a run rate of about 25 units per month. Though it’s selling a performance image, the lion’s share of RCZs sold locally will be the (very) tame 115kW automatic petrol version.

But enthusiasts shouldn’t give up all hope of an RCZ with teeth. Late this year the company will build a limited number of RCZ-R which it’s rumoured will boast close to 200kW. Given the manners of the latest RCZ we can’t wait to drive one. Yes, it’s coming to Oz!

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT?
>> More equipment but dollars are up
For the moment, the aggressively styled 2+2 Peugeot flagship will be offered in three variants – turbo petrol manual, turbo petrol auto and turbo-diesel manual. All are covered by a single $58,990 price-tag. Specifications too are aligned.

Little has changed under the skin (see Mechanical below) and even the equipment upgrade is quite modest. In a time when we’re used to fronting to new car launches to learn Brand A has added $6000 worth of kit with no price increase, the $4000 Peugeot has boosted the price of the new RCZ stands out. And not necessarily in a positive manner…

The latest version of the RCZ adds Xenon headlamps, integrated satnav and 19-inch wheels to the outgoing model’s standard specification which includes ‘standards’ such as auto wipers, headlights and climate control, etc.

There are also minor interior upgrades (more leather trim) and ‘assured’ (fix priced) servicing into the deal. Peugeot claims the added value approaches, err… $6000.

Heated, electric sport seats in a choice of white or black, enhanced Bluetooth connectivity and piano black detailing are standard. Otherwise the car is essentially the same as we sampled internationally and locally in 2010.

The local spec for the new RCZ has also done away with the alloy-look roof arches of the outgoing model. These are now finished in matt black and lend the car a more purposeful hunkered down look. Other detailed changes include black painted brake calipers.

Peugeot says the option list on RCZ (and other models) will be trimmed moving forward. Local boss Bill Gillespie says as a rule Peugeot Automobiles Australia is seeking to deliver more value in its new and updated models – hence the higher level of standard specification.

Like the 508, and 208 more recently, there’s a large trapezoidal grille opening and gone is much of the fussy detailing. Changes to the rear are more subtle but also seek to clean-up the RCZ’s act.

There’s little doubting the RCZ is a handsome car. The double-bubble roof profile is supercar-esque. The steel roof’s wonderful curves carry through into what is one of the most amazing pieces of autoglass in production today. I’d hate to think of the replacement cost of the rear window.

The RCZ has seating for four but the rear seats are not for long trips. In true 2+2 style, they look more like a trimmed parcel shelf than any real form of accommodation. At least they fold down, thus delivering what for a coupe is cavernous luggage capacity. Even with the seats in place the 384-litre boot is generous.

Up front, the sports seats offer fullsome support, but not to the point of locking the driver into a position that becomes uncomfortable. Reach and rake adjustment on the steering wheel gives you half a chance of getting the right driving position. Though one colleague complained of pedal positioning, I had no issues in either manual or auto versions.

Much more conventional in terms of sports coupes and sports cars are the turbo-petrol powerplants offered. Both 1.6 litre in capacity, the engines are well known in their roles in a number of Peugeot hatches as well as the current MINI range.

Developed in conjunction with BMW, the DOHC four-cylinder engine is, however, built in PSA’s own factory and features bespoke fuel-injection hardware and engine management software.

The manual RCZ’s 147kW, 275Nm (at 5500 and 1700rpm respectively) petrol four features variable timing and lift on both inlet and exhaust camshafts and powers the coupe 0-100km/h in 7.5sec. Fuel economy is rated at 6.9L/100km combined.

When opting for the auto, you also score a lower-spec engine. Rated at 115kW at 6000rpm and 240Nm at 1400, the engine features variable valve timing on the inlet camshaft only. There are hardware as well as software differences, in other words.

Peugeot says 0-100km/h time is 8.4sec for the auto. Fuel economy (combined) is rated at 7.3L/100km. For the record on our road drive we logged 7.6L/100km in a mix of urban and outer urban running.

No fuel figure for the manual as that was a track-only stint.

In its evolution to the new model, the RCZ has scored bigger wheels – 19-inch are now standard, up from 18. Save for the larger wheels however, mechanically, the latest RCZ is unchanged from its 308-based predecessor.

All gearboxes are six-speeders – the auto a ‘smart’ Aisin unit with manual function but no steering wheel paddles.

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. A pyrotechnically-charged ‘active’ bonnet adds an extra level of safety, but you’re still better off trying to avoid pedestrians.

ON THE ROAD?

A brave move, but one that paid off – at least in part... Though the venue, Sandown Raceway in Melbourne south eastern suburbs, is not the most inspiring piece of tarmac, the manual 147kW RCZ was immediately at home, and fared far better than I expected.

Most ‘warm’ road cars just don’t work on the track. With modest power and great smooth road chassis manners and good brakes, the RCZ was a lot of fun.

Though the electrically assisted steering felt over light (in part, no doubt, due to the high tyre pressures run at the track), turn in was accurate and the car displayed good levels of both grip and traction.

There’s no limited slip differential on the RCZ (mechanical or electronic) but, as noted above, moderate power and torque levels allow the chassis some leeway. Though it was easy to top 175km/h on both of Sandown’s straights, the brakes were strong and consistent.

And thanks to a clever sound generator coupled to the induction system, in cabin, there’s just enough ‘music’ to deliver the sports message.

On the road we drove the 115kW auto RCZ. Alas the report card wasn’t quite as glowing – mainly due to a very real world factor... Bumps.

The RCZ’s manners on the track can be sheeted home in large part to good low profile rubber and particularly firm suspension settings. On the roads of the Dandenong and the Yarra ranges, the same (or very similar settings) and rubber delivered a choppy and at times downright hard ride and troublesome steering kickback on almost every bumpy corner. At least the steering weighting had returned to ‘normal’ levels.

Given the 115kW engine and autobox are well matched, it’s a shame that the chassis only rates a B minus on the road. By way of comparison, the Renault Sport Megane 265 hot hatch yours truly is driving day to day rides better, has more grip ultimately and offers none of the histrionics in the corners. Sure it’s not as striking in looks, but it’s also $15K cheaper.

The RCZ’s auto is clever and in Sport mode offers some verve. The gearbox is willing enough that you notice the absence of gearshift paddles. You can use the lever but in the end we just left it in Sport.

The cabin’s attractive but already showing its age – at least in terms of the pop-up navigation screen. Controls for the satnav incorporated in the audio system are fiddly – but the RCZ’s not alone here.

That there is no reversing camera in a near-$60,000 car is poor. Also missing in action is comfort access or start. You need to blip the keyfob and insert the key like the good old days. This is somehow incongruous given the RCZ’s supercar looks.

According to Peugeot Austomobiles Australia staffers, the RCZ has attracted brand tragics and newbies in equal measure. The new version will likely continue to do the same – perhaps even conquest a few more given its less controversial front clip.

That said, I’m not convinced it’s quite up to the job of ‘butching’ up the Peugeot image – at least not in its current guise. Simply, it needs more chassis polish and more ‘go’ to match its undoubted ‘show’.

Hang on, what’s that I can hear? A stampede of RCZ-Rs coming ‘round The Mountain…

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