Peugeot RCZ bids adieu

The racy-looking Peugeot RCZ coupe is soon to be discontinued in Australia and the local importer will wave goodbye to the front-drive sportster by slashing a massive $14,000 off the drive-away price (based on NSW pricing).

Now pegged at $49,990 drive-away, the last 40 RCZs are likely to be snapped up quickly, as it's the most affordable the car has ever been in Australia. The quirky but agile sports car first went on sale in Australia in late 2010, priced at $54,990.

The Peugeot RCZ has had a colourful life in Australia, taking on the Bathurst 12 Hour race in 2012. In 2013 the sports car with its trademark 'double-bubble' roof was given a subtle new front-end design and more technology and convenience features as part of a mid-cycle facelift.

Then in August 2014 the RCZ R, the big daddy of all RCZs, was released as a more expensive, more powerful track-tuned version of the vehicle, belting out 199kW and 330Nm from its 1.6-litre four-pot and benefitting from larger brakes, lower, stiffer suspension and better seats.

The last 40 models of the RCZ sold in Australia are available now in a number of different colours and a range of engine and gearbox options, spanning the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol (147kW/275Nm) and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (120kW/340Nm).

A six-speed automatic transmission is only available with the turbo-petrol engine, which develops less engine thump (115kW/240Nm) because the auto gearbox is weaker. They are slower as a result, too.

The final 40 RCZs on sale in Australia come with dual-zone climate-control, satellite-navigation, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and leather-clad heated and electrically adjustable seats.

External features include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED driving lights and an active rear spoiler.

Peugeot Australia provides a three-year, 100,000km warranty alongside a five-year, 75,000km capped-price service program and five years of roadside assistance.

Tyson Bowen, PR and Communications Manager for Peugeot Australia, said that although the local Peugeot operation will be without a sporty coupe after the RCZ finishes, "…there will be a new focus on halo cars like the Peugeot 308 GTi," which is being launched nationally next week.

But will there be a replacement for the slow-selling RCZ coupe in future? It's doubtful, because as we've previously reported the RCZ will likely get the chop as the French car-maker focuses on core models like the 208, 308 and 508.