Peugeot RCZ

Peugeot RCZ Car Review by Lauren Fix, The Car Coach

The new RCZ is the next generation of Peugeot hot hatchbacks

Caption: Rekindling a lost art: the double-bubble roof, aluminum rails, minimal rear seats, and self-raising spoiler give the RCZ an exotic – and purposeful – look.

This neat little coupe is, believe it or not, a Peugeot. The lines that form the Peugeot RCZ’s are unique, and may rekindle Peugeot’s lost art of style and driving fun.

The double-bubble roof and rear window are shaped to match. The bold rails that form the roofline are aluminum and you can have the roof in real carbonfibre if you like.

The car is  based on the 308 hatchback, but with wheels set further apart on the axles. The inside appears to be leather and quite slick inside as well as outside. The car is designed to compete with the Audi TT, whose profile it obviously resembles.

The RCZ does look exotic with a self-raising rear spoiler, and in black with black wheels and the black chrome roof-arch it looks particularly sexy.   In the UK there are three engines offered, a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 163bhp, and a pair of 1.6-litre, direct-injection, turbo petrol engines with 156 or 200bhp. The engines are part of a joint venture between Peugeot and BMW, but this new   200bhp unit uniquely combines variable valve timing and lift with a twin-scroll, fast-response turbocharger.

Specification (found on the Peugeot website).

• Model: Peugeot RCZ
• Price: From £22,750 (range starts at £20,450). On sale now in UK.
• Engine: 1,598cc, four cylinders, 16 valves, turbo, 200bhp at 5,500rpm, 206lb/ft at 1,770rpm
• Transmission: Six-speed gearbox, front-wheel drive
• Performance: 146mph, 0-62 in 7.6sec, 39.8mpg official average, CO2 159g/km