Peugeot RCZ is back with solid-state battery tech

Chinese challengers are flexing hard with cheap tech, big screens and ever-faster charging across a dizzying array of new EVs. But there’s one thing they can’t engineer, import or undercut, and that’s heritage.

The French know it and that’s why Citroen brought back the 2CV name as a cut-price supermini, and now Peugeot is digging into its own sports car back catalogue. This one isn’t about cheap thrills, though.

Revealed at the Paris motor show, the Peugeot RCZ Vision revives the cult RCZ coupe that was built between 2009 and 2015. It revives the name with a potent 368kW electric powertrain, a solid-state battery and a 1000-volt architecture.

The French have come out firing at the 2026 Paris motor show, seemingly doubling their efforts in the new car space and the headline numbers for Peugeot’s reborn sports coupe, the RCZ, are serious.

Peugeot claims 500 horsepower, which is about 368kW. It also claims up to 600km of driving range and a target energy consumption of 11.5kWh/100km on the WLTP cycle.

The efficiency figure is still to be confirmed but that’s a frugal number for something this quick and powerful.

Peugeot hasn’t given a battery capacity but something around the 70kWh realm appears to line up with the maths.

The solid-state cells were developed with Factorial Energy, an American energy technology company based in Massachusetts. It’s currently developing next-gen solid-state battery technology for EVs, aerospace and even defence.

The battery cell pack is claimed to be just 110mm thick and that thin pack is the main reason the roofline sits so low.

The Peugeot RCZ Vision rides on a platform based on Stellantis’ new STLA One architecture, which goes into production under the next E-208 in 2027.

Stellantis had previously talked about 800-volt electrics and LFP batteries for STLA One but the RCZ Vision steps that up to 1000 volts, which is what allows the 10-minute fast-charge claim.

The tech gets even more interesting inside.

Peugeot calls its approach ‘X-by-Wire’. The steering wheel has no mechanical connection to the front wheels and the steering ratio changes with speed.

The Hypersquare control looks like a tray-table with cupholders turned on its side, and Peugeot reckons it turns slightly less than one full rotation from lock to lock, making it super direct.

Conventional steering wheels takes about three turns lock to lock, give or take.

Brake-by-wire also replaces the hydraulic link between the pedal and the brakes, which Peugeot says makes regenerative braking smoother.

Level 2++ hands-free driving is also on board. Peugeot has bucked the screen-count arms race by fitting transparent Micro LED displays and the central screen can be switched off completely so it virtually disappears from view.

“With Peugeot RCZ Vision, we are setting out our vision with a car firmly focused on the future, dedicated to delivering the ultimate driving pleasure,” said Peugeot CEO Alain Favey.

There are plenty of nods to the original car too.

The ‘double-bubble’ glass roof and the active rear spoiler both return and the forged wheels measure 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the rear.

Unlike the original, the RCZ Vision has a four-seat cabin that Peugeot says can carry two adults comfortably in the back.

Peugeot hasn’t committed to building the RCZ and two-door coupes are a niche segment these days. The original RCZ’s old rival, the Audi TT, is reportedly due for an electric comeback, though, so you shouldn’t rule out a production version just yet.

Even if this exact car never reaches showrooms, much of what’s underneath it will.

Peugeot is one of four Stellantis brands sharing 70 per cent of the group’s future investment. The STLA One hardware, steer-by-wire and L2++ tech will spread across the wider Stellantis line-up, starting with the next Peugeot E-208.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au