Peugeot to unleash RCZ R at Goodwood

Peugeot previewed its go-faster take on the RCZ via the ‘R’ concept at last September’s Paris motor show and again at this year’s Geneva motor show.

Now comes the production-ready variant, which makes its world debut on July 12 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and, as we reported in April, will arrive here in number limited to about 20 early next year, priced at about $75,000.

The manufacturer says the inspiration for the RCZ R came from the three-times class-winning Nürburgring RCZ race car, prompting the release of the matte-black and copper-coloured concept that appeared at the Paris and Geneva shows.

Key among the changes vis-à-vis the current RCZ range-topper is an uprated 1.6-litre THP turbo-petrol four that kicks out 191kW in lieu of the former’s 147kW – making it the most powerful road-going car in the brand’s history.

Peugeot also boasts the RCZ R will one of the highest specific power outputs among current production vehicles, eking out almost 120kW per litre of engine capacity.

As per its lesser siblings, the RCZ R remains front-wheel-driven, but grip and traction levels should benefit from a stiffer suspension set-up and a Torsen limited-slip differential. It also sports a beefier wheel/tyre combo, giving it a more formidable stance on the road.

There’s no lairy bodykit in sight as – apart from the bespoke rims – the only real visual differentiators between it and garden-variety RCZs is a fixed rear wing (replacing the standard car’s pop-up spoiler), plus the fitment of two widely spaced exhausts (a la Audi TT).

Peugeot has planned a twin-pronged strategy for showcasing the car at Goodwood as two cars have been allocated for the three-day event.

One vehicle will remain on the Peugeot stand, while the other will be piloted in the event’s signature hillclimb by Peugeot brand ambassador Bradley Philpot – a finalist in the recent Nürburgring 24-hour race that saw three Peugeot 208 GTi cars win their SP2T class.

There’s a nice synergy to the timing of the Goodwood reveal, as this year’s event falls on the same day – exactly 100 years later – as the 1913 French Grand Prix, in which Peugeot notched up a one-two finish.

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