Peugeot RCZ

[Blackseal]

When Peugeot displayed the RCZ concept car in 2007 Frankfurt motor show, I think not many people believed it would be put into production. You know, in the past 30 years or so Peugeot built many radical concept cars but never put one into production. While most other manufacturers use concept cars to showcase new design theme or simply to preview the next production models, Peugeot's concept cars are always decoupled from the production side, strangely. They seemed to be created just for the fun of motor show spectators. Having disappointed for so many years, I didn't expect any exception for the RCZ concept.

 

To our surprise, two and a half years later the production RCZ stands in front of us. Moreover, its exterior and interior design is virtually the same as the show car. This signals a significant change in the product strategy of Peugeot. The dancing lion used to be rather conservative. Now in the attempt of migrating upmarket, it needs more image-boosting models - certainly more than the lukewarm 407 Coupe. RCZ will be the first one. This car is the French response to Audi TT. It is a very design-led product, or what people called "hairdresser's car".

 

Unquestionably, style is by far its greatest strength. Everything else is less significant. The RCZ not only looks exactly like a concept car happened on the road, its visual impact is, dare I say, greater than that of Audi TT ! Not believe ? Look at that cab-forward and wide-track proportion, that Zagato-style double-bubble roof and rear screen, those brushed aluminum roof rails and that kick at each shoulder line. They deliver a stronger message about style than the Audi masterpiece. Its road presence is absolutely stunning.

 

Unfortunately, everything else is rather ordinary. Take the dashboard for example, it comes straight from 308, although the center air-vent is replaced by an analogue clock, oddly. It's an upmarket piece of work by the standard of hatchbacks, but not quite in the league of Audi TT, where you will find more stylish gauges and more extensive use of real aluminum decors. Peugeot's version of flat-bottomed steering wheel is not as tasteful as Audi's. Its seats are not as classy too. One thing it does match the Audi: the tiny rear seats are purely cosmetic. Head and legroom are barely enough for small kids. For this reason, the Peugeot coupe will be compared with 2-seaters like BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK and Nissan 370Z, although its closest rival is still Audi TT.

 

Price-wise, the Peugeot coupe undercuts all the above rivals by considerable margin. Its price starts from

[Lion-e-motion]

It should be available in Singapore before 2nd Q 2011.

 

[Eugn86]

What a long wait... but...

[Manu27]

nice one..

[Xavina]

This is one cool peugeot....All peugeot should be like this ;)

[Xaser]

such a beautiful car

[Hwt]

A Malaysian-made right-hand-drive Peugeot RCZ.......?

 

http://yuleehong.com.my/2010/04/13/peugeot...or-2010-launch/

 

[Kelfinity]

A Malaysian-made right-hand-drive Peugeot RCZ.......?

 

http://yuleehong.com.my/2010/04/13/peugeot...or-2010-launch/

 

Looks very similar to TT.

 

[Limxiaoming]

Saw 1 drove past me this morning with a temporary number plate.

Really nice! How come no reviews on this car. At 160k, should be a fair buy for such presence on road.

[Tohto]

Saw 1 drove past me this morning with a temporary number plate.

Really nice! How come no reviews on this car. At 160k, should be a fair buy for such presence on road.

 

The latest Torque mag had a review.

[Karu]

Very nice. But 0-100 in 9secs isn't exactly fast for its look...

Edited February 15, 2011 by Karu

[Newkidontheblock]

saw a white one that zoomed past me on the PIE slightly over midnight...

 

damn this car is nice !

if i had more money i'll go for this car.. i wonder how the resale value is like...

[Aeromania]

was expecting a 3 litre v6 but in the end 1.6 in line 4.... but I'll give it for the look. it's really good looking.

[Lammy84]

peugeot, had 1 before, will never own another.

 

All show and no substance, i rather get an alfa spyder 2nd hand at that price.

 

screw peugeots.

[Initialp]

The RCZ uses the Prince engine developed by PSA & BMW. The auto box is 156HP and the manual is 200HP. The manual is alomost $10k more than the auto. Both are avialable in Singapore. Should be around $170k+-. Build quality high. Good value for money and drives well too.

[Tom_kkh]

It should be available in Singapore before 2nd Q 2011.

 

 

 

saw a black 1 last month at IMM

[Mockngbrd]

rubbish pricing

[Celicar]

The RCZ uses the Prince engine developed by PSA & BMW. The auto box is 156HP and the manual is 200HP. The manual is alomost $10k more than the auto. Both are avialable in Singapore. Should be around $170k+-. Build quality high. Good value for money and drives well too.

真的吗？