Carsales Staff•28 May 2014
NEWS
Peugeot RCZ R touches down in Oz
Premium price for a premium car: hand-built engine promises 0-100km/h time under six secondsPeugeot's fire-breathing RCZ R is now on sale in Australia.
At $68,990 it's not cheap. In fact it's $10,000 more than the standard petrol-engined RCZ.
But what you get for that extra dosh is a new 1.6-litre turbo engine – unrelated to the BMW engine of the standard car – hand-built in the company's Herimoncourt factory and good for 199kW and 330Nm. That power figure is over 50kW more than for the standard (petrol) RCZ.
The high-performance version of the RCZ coupe is claimed by Peugeot to be its most powerful production model ever developed. And despite its Euro 6.1 compliance and 6.3L/100km combined-cycle fuel economy figure, it will knock over the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
Performance parts contributing to the engine's output include a cylinder block subjected to a specific heat treatment prior to machining, Mahle forged pistons, premium conrods/bearings, twin-scroll turbo and sports exhaust.
Drive is taken to a Torsen LSD at the front wheels via a reinforced six-speed manual transmission.
Peugeot's chassis engineers have tweaked the suspension, lowering the ride height by 10mm and widening the track at the front by 6mm. Wider wheels feature a different offset and the spacer at the rear has been reduced 3mm to keep the rear track the same as for the standard RCZ. Other changes include stiffer springs, revised dampers and a new anti-roll bar – all combined with different toe and camber settings. According to the manufacturer, the front suspension is 14 per cent stiffer and the rear end is 44 per cent stiffer.
Brake rotors all measure 380x32mm and are ventilated all round. Calipers are of the four-piston type at the front, finished in red. The rotors sit inside 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 235/40 R19 tyres.
Peugeot has lightly enhanced the looks of the RCZ R to distinguish it from the standard car. Satin chrome grille bars and red lettering for the Peugeot legend on the grille are minor points of difference, along with an 'R' monogram. Other changes to the exterior include a new rear diffuser, exclusive dual exhausts, another 'R' monogram on the boot lid and a large fixed spoiler that improves downforce at the rear. Colours available are: Moroccan Red, Mercury Grey, Opal White and Perla Nera Black.
The interior has also been upgraded for the RCZ R, with red highlights throughout the cabin, heavily contoured sports seats in front, matching seats in the rear, leather/Alcantara trim, unique brushed-aluminium door sills and another aluminium plate featuring Peugeot Sport legend and 'R' monogram in the centre console. An analogue clock is mounted in the centre fascia and the instrument binnacle features a carbon/brushed metal backing plate with white needles.
"The Peugeot RCZ R is not just a sporty version of the RCZ," says John Startari, General Manager, Sime Darby Motors Group Australia – distributors of the Peugeot brand.
"Developed with Peugeot Sport, the RCZ R has significant engineering modifications compared with the RCZ and was developed as a sports competition model for use on circuits and tracks.
"RCZ R is a perfect example of Peugeot's expertise in motorsport. RCZ R is a halo model for the brand and we expect it will not only increase sales but bring new customers to Peugeot.''
The RCZ R is available to purchase immediately.
Tags
Peugeot
RCZ
Car News
Hatchback
Performance Cars
Written byCarsales Staff
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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