Peugeot RCZ 201 track test 2011 Review

Like it or loathe it, the Peugeot RCZ attracts attention.

First impressions of our test car, a 1.6-litre petrol turbo model with a six-speed manual, is its concept car presence, making Audi’s and BMW’s two-door coupes look mundane in comparison.

Attracting the eye are the twin aluminium roof arches, the sleek, low slung profile and sporty 19-inch wheels, but it's the less obvious details such as the double-bubble roof and uniquely flared wheel arches that make this car so distinctive.

Granted, it's taken a big chunk of inspiration from the Audi TT, but it's traded some of the Teutonic styling for a heavy dose of French machismo.

It’s a very sporty looking vehicle, no doubt about it, but does it have the go to match its show? To find out, we took it to Phillip Island race track for some hot laps.

The RCZ presents like the kind of car one shouldn't take to the race track, such are the levels of luxury: deep sports seats finished in leather, hand-stitched leather-like hewn dashboard, inserts, transmission tunnel, and steering wheel. There's more bovine here than a fast food outlet!

It’s not perfect though; activating the cruise control is far from intuitive; taller drivers may find the cabin a little tight (especially with a helmet on!) and rearward vision is a little murky thanks to the curved rear glass.

So as I drive down the freeway, Mozart emanating from the audio system, cosseted in utter opulence, I wonder if the avant-garde Pug will even be able to handle turn one, let alone the rigours of race pace...

Arriving at the race track I'm greeted by the friendly and very professional Drive Events staff, who also helped us out with our first track test of the FPV GT E. They put together a well organised day that maximises track time for all people, and for the day it costs around $500. After taking one look at the car one of the guys asks me "What is that?"

I explain it's a Peugeot RCZ, priced from a very handy $55k, and is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that gives life to the much-loved MINI Cooper S, only with a bit more grunt.

Yet even after I explain its got 147kW/275Nm and will do the zero to 100km/h dash in 7.5 seconds they tell me I'm in the slow group...

Nevertheless, I don my helmet and creep along the pit lane at the famous ‘Island race track, past Ferraris, Aston Martins, Mercedes, Porsches and plenty of locally-made sports cars; many of the drivers also taking a good look at the low-slung Frenchie.

Tipping the car into corner one (Doohan corner) resulted in very little body roll and by the time I changed direction into left-handed corner two (Southern loop) the accelerator pedal was buried and the car felt fantastic, giving me the confidence to push the spirited Pug to its limits. And with maximum torque on tap from 1700rpm the little Pug was rarely caught short coming out of corners.

Despite being front-wheel drive it felt balanced and predictable in corners and didn’t push its front end too much under heavy throttle, with understeer only a problem on tighter corners like turn four (Honda corner), a hairpin of ill repute.

After a handful of laps, I pulled into the pits and checked the tyre pressures -- all good -- and with the smell of overheating brakes and clutches heavy in the air, waited 15 minutes for the next session.

It’s only while staring at the RCZ that I realise where some of the car's tremendous balance comes from - the driver sits bang in the middle of the wheels, creating an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution over the front and rear axles.

It tips predictably into corners and the feedback through the direct steering rack is sensational, as is the chassis, both letting you know when the tyres are at their grip limit.

Throttle response is very good and the engine sounds plenty aggressive in this application -- louder and more intimidating than in the MINI Cooper S -- and the six-speed manual has a nice snappy feel. The clutch feels a little light underfoot but after driving to the track I was already used to its wispy levels of resistance.

Gently winding up to full throttle through turn six (Siberia) was incredibly satisfying, the RCZ tracking through the corner under full load without protest. The coupe carved through corners so cleanly and with such a flat attitude I could have done it all day long.

The French really know how to tune suspension and it never failed to surprise me how much corner speed the RCZ could carry. On top of a brilliant suspension tune the 235/40 R19W ContiSport Continental tyres are praiseworthy; the sticky rubber delivering massive amounts of traction through the twists and turns.

The RCZ pulls up strongly thanks to an excellent set of stoppers, though we didn't fully punish the brakes at corner one as some other drivers did. If we had, you'd probably read a few more superlatives right about now.

The turbo Pug showed that it’s not just a shiny trinket to be shown at the trendiest haunts in town; it’s a bonafide driver's car with a chassis that shines on fast corners and slow, with a powertrain that delivers far more thrills than its diminutive displacement would have you believe.

And then, when it was time to drive home, I took off my helmet and marvelled at the comfort and luxury that this astonishing little machine presents, while Bach was piped gently through the audio system.

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