Review of the new Peugeot RCZ

The 205 GTi was a highpoint of Peugeot's standing as a producer of sporting cars but since the early 90s, it's fair to say that things have gone awry. With a few notable exceptions including hot versions of the 306 and 106, this manufacturer's attempts at recapturing the magic haven't quite hit the mark. In more recent times, it has appeared that Peugeot was content to let its reputation for building exciting driver's cars slide into history. Little did we know that it was plotting a spectacular comeback with the RCZ coupe.

In recent times, there were certainly inklings that Peugeot was angling for a return to the sporting car limelight. In 2007, it showed the 308 RCZ concept car at the Frankfurt Motorshow and entered the Le Mans 24hr race with the stunning 908 HDi FAP. In 2009, that racecar came first and second at Le Mans, squeezing Audi into third place. This was the first time Peugeot had triumphed in the prestigious event since 1993, the year the 205 GTi went out of production.

With Peugeot back in the top echelon of motorsport, the timing was right for a road car that could capitalise and the hope is that the production version of the RCZ is it. Things have a habit of coming full circle and just as Audi provided the main competition for Peugeot at the 2009 Le Mans 24-hour, it's the German manufacturer's TT that the RCZ coupe is gunning for in the race for sales.

Providing the power for the RCZ is a set of familiar Peugeot engines. The petrol range is based around the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit that was developed in partnership with BMW. Versions of this engine can also be found in the 207 GTi and sporty versions of the 308 but the 200bhp unit in the RCZ is also shared with the fiery MINI John Cooper Works models. It can get the RCZ through 62mph in a respectable 7.6s with the aid of its twin-scroll turbocharger and is designed to produce a smooth flow of power from low in the rev-range.

"With the RCZ coupe, the marque is looking for a return to past glories"

The lesser petrol engine is a 156bhp version of this same unit which can be ordered with a six-speed sequential automatic gearbox as well as the standard six-speed manual. This being Peugeot, there was always going to be a diesel too and it's the 2.0-litre HDi FAP that's used across the marque's larger models. Here there's 163bhp and a healthy 340Nm of torque.

Beneath the RCZ's curvy bodywork are the underpinnings of the 308 family hatchback. That's a fact that might well set alarm bells ringing with enthusiastic drivers as the chubby 308 isn't the last word in pace or dexterity. The same McPherson strut front suspension and rear torsen beam set-up is used but, thankfully, Peugeot has carried out extensive modifications with the aim of honing the RCZ's responses.

The coupe's track is 54mm wider than the hatchback at the front and 72mm wider at the rear, while ride height is dropped by 20mm, lowering the centre of gravity. The steering uses a hydraulic system and stopping is taken care of by ventilated disc brakes of 302mm diameter at the front and 290mm at the rear. The range-topping 200bhp models get an upgrade to 340mm discs.

There's no radical departure from Peugeot's tried and tested styling themes on the RCZ but equally, there's no denying it's a striking thing to look at. The nose is very Peugeot with the huge light clusters and air-intake then the deep bonnet contours flowing back to the A-pillars. The domed roofline has more than a hint of Audi TT about it and the aluminium foot arches provide a two tone effect.

The RCZ is at its most unorthodox around the back where the proportions of the car aren't helped by an extended rear deck that hints at an eventual folding hard-top version. More impressive are the powerful haunches over the rear wheels and the trademark "double bubble" roof which has a pair of bulges that proceed down the rear windscreen.

We're told that the RCZ is more than just a pretty face and that it can contribute some practicality as well. The car has a front-engined 2+2 layout with small rear seats that have increased headroom thanks to the roof bulges and a surprisingly big boot capacity of 384 litres (you only get 290 litres in an Audi TT). This space can be increased further by folding the rear seat backrests down.

The dash will be familiar to 308 hatchback owners and with cabin design and build quality being a 308 strongpoint, this is no bad thing. Special sports seats are fitted in the front with integrated headrests and the centre console slopes towards the driver to bring the controls within easy reach.

There are two trim levels available with the entry version including 18" alloy wheels, sports front seats, dual zone air-conditioning, folding rear seat, rear parking aid, deadlocks, selective access locking, an alarm and immobiliser, four airbags, ESP stability control, EBFD brakeforce distribution, EBA brake assist, ABS, a 'double bubble' rear screen, a black roof panel, an active rear spoiler, plus a twin rear sports' exhaust. Go for the second ' level 2' trim level and you can expect a leather interior, electric heated front seats, carpet mats, front parking aid, auto tilting (when reversing) door mirrors, automatic lights, follow-me-home lighting, automatic windscreen wipers, automatic exterior approach lighting, 19" alloy wheels and sports seats.

The Audi TT is going to be a tough nut for the RCZ to crack but pricing under the £20,000 barrier will give the Peugeot a useful edge. At that level, the car is a realistic alternative to the likes of Volkswagen's Scirocco and Alfa Romeo's GT.

The Audi TT is going to be a tough nut for the RCZ to crack but pricing under the £20,000 barrier will give the Peugeot a useful edge. At that level, the car is a realistic alternative to the likes of Volkswagen's Scirocco and Alfa Romeo's GT.

The RCZ engines should help endow the car with low running costs. The official 52mpg economy figure for the 2.0-litre diesel with 139g/km emissions will be attractive to sportscar buyers on a budget. Even the 200bhp 1.6-litre THP turbo engine returns close to 40mpg with 165g/km emissions.

Some great sporting cars have emerged from the Peugeot stable in the past but for a while things got a bit frumpy. With the RCZ coupe, the marque is looking for a return to past glories and the signs are promising. A front-wheel-drive 2+2 based on the 308 hatchback platform isn't the stuff of which a driving enthusiast's dreams are made but the RCZ has been thoroughly redesigned. Swooping lines, a road-hugging stance and punchy engines all bode well.

TOP 5 RCZ DEALS

The results below show the top RCZ deals on buyacar

Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi GT 2dr diesel coupe
Price £21,886 Read RCZ Reviews	Save £3,504
Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP GT 2dr Auto coupe
Price £21,333 Read RCZ Reviews	Save £3,347
Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP Sport 2dr coupe
Price £18,478 Read RCZ Reviews	Save £2,727
Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi Sport 2dr diesel coupe
Price £19,970 Read RCZ Reviews	Save £3,070
Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP GT 2dr coupe
Price £20,393 Read RCZ Reviews	Save £3,162
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