Standout pricing for Peugeot coupe

The new Peugeot RCZ coupe will be offered in one specification for one price, regardless of the customer's decision on powertrain.

And the price is a very attractive $54,990 -- a good deal more reasonable than the $70K pricing mentioned at the coupe's international launch in May this year.

The RCZ will be available with a choice of turbocharged and direct-injected 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, or 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel option.

The top-flight 200 -- for 200 horsepower -- and diesel models will be offered with six-speed manual only, while the more sedate petrol 156 version will be available with a six-speed auto.

The RCZ models on offer to local buyers are also highly-specced. The standard-fit list includes leather trim with heated seats for front passengers, front and rear fog lights and parking assistance, and good-looking 18-inch alloys. 19-inch wheels are also available in a different spoke design, for only $600.

Standards also include luxury-fit items normally attracting high additions to the pricing. The RCZ comes with heated and folding door mirrors with courtesy lights and dipping function with reverse gear selection, rain sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, electrically adjustable front seats (with memory function for the driver's seat) and aluminium door sills.

Aside from its striking, curvaceous styling, the RCZ's other standout features include an automatically adjusting active rear spoiler, a la Audi TT. Another classy touch is the analogue clock in the dash; also available as a wristwatch.

Optional equipment is at a minimum due to the long standards list, and mainly consists of ‘personalisation' features like carbonfibre-look roof, painted brake calipers, high-grade audio system and directional bi-xenon headlights.

Four well-rounded option packages can be ordered: three centred on personalisation of the RCZ and one adding upgraded accessories. The latter, 'Monaco' pack costs $2700 and includes the high-end JBL audio system and 'Sortilege' 19-inch alloys in matt black.

The upgrade packages start at $3000 for the Elan spec, which includes19-inch alloys in the brand's double-spoke 'Solstice' design, carbonfibre-look roof, and black-painted mirror surrounds and front grille.

Two 'Sportif' personalisation packages are available, both costing $4000.

The first offers the aforementioned (matt black) 19-inch Sortilege design alloy wheels, black painted brake calipers, side mirror surrounds and front grille, carbonfibre-look roof and aluminium roof arches in black. The other option includes all the above but exchange the matt black wheels for silver-coloured versions.

The accessory/personalisation offerings are tasteful but the RCZ will be a standout on the road even without the upgrades. It uses the 308's underpinnings but its unique 'top hat' is made by Magna Steyr, which is capable of 22,000 RCZ models per annum which have to be shared across markets including Europe, Japan and Russia. The company's local arm expects to sell around 400 units a year.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia's National Marketing Manager, Richard Grant told the Carsales Network that the brand opted for a "Swatch pricing policy" for the RCZ, partly due to its uniqueness in the market.

"We've studied pricing techniques and with this product we can afford to put up an offer to the customer that simplifies purchasing decision to 'which one?' rather than 'whether or not' to buy," he said.

The new Peugeot RCZ sports coupe is available for order from Peugeot dealers October 1.

Visit the Carsales Network again for our local launch review of the Peugeot RCZ range.

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