Peugeot RCZ
| Company type | Car model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Austria |
Area served | Worldwide (close to 80 countries by 2013) |
| Products | Sporty coupé cars |
| Parent | Peugeot |
The Peugeot RCZ is a sporty coupé crafted by the French car manufacturer Peugeot and produced in Austria by Magna Steyr between 2009 and 2015. It features a front-engine, front-wheel-drive setup along with a 2+2 seating arrangement. The vehicle made its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and received considerable acclaim, including five Best Sports Car accolades from Diesel Car magazine and the 2010 Coupe award from Top Gear.
History
Originally revealed as the 308 RCZ concept during the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, the vehicle was met with positive critical feedback, which led to its approval for production with only slight modifications. The RCZ is distinguished by its double-bubble roof design inspired by Zagato. Launched in late 2009, it was marketed in close to 80 countries by 2013.
The RCZ was equipped with petrol engines from the Prince series and diesel options from PSA's HDi range, developed under the project code "T75." Key production benchmarks include the manufacturing of the 30,000th unit in June 2011 and the 50,000th in February 2013. Production ceased in September 2015 at Magna Steyr’s Graz plant.
Engines
| Petrol engines | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine | Displacement cc (ci) |
Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) (s) | Top speed km/h (mph) |
Transmission | Template:CO2 emission |
| 1.6-litre THP156 2010–2015 | I4 turbo | 1,598 cc (97.5 cu in) | 156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft) at 1,400 rpm | 8.4 | 212 km/h (132 mph) | 6-speed automatic | 168 g/km |
| 1.6-litre THP204 2010–2015 | 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) at 5,800 rpm | 275 N⋅m (203 lbf⋅ft) at 1,770 rpm | 7.5 | 235 km/h (146 mph) | 6-speed manual | 155 g/km | ||
| 1.6-litre THP270 2014–2015 | 270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 330 N⋅m (243 lbf⋅ft) at 1,900 rpm | 5.9 | 250 km/h (155 mph) | 149 g/km | |||
| Diesel engines | ||||||||
| 2.0-litre HDi163 2010–2014 | I4 turbo | 1,997 cc (121.9 cu in) | 163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) at 4,000 rpm | 320 N⋅m (236 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm | 8.2 | 220 km/h (137 mph) | 6-speed manual | 139 g/km |
| 2.0-litre HDi FAP 165 2012–2015 | 340 N⋅m (251 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm | {{convert{225}|km/h mph 0 abbr=on}} | ||||||
Equipment
The RCZ was available with optional electrically heated and adjustable seats featuring memory settings for the driver, complemented by leather upholstery and hill assist functionality. Additional enhancements included 19-inch alloy wheels and an upgraded JBL audio system. Customization options through the Elan or Sportif Kit allowed for personalized finishes on the roof, door mirrors, and grille. Although rear seating was included, it offered limited comfort for adult passengers.
RCZ Hybrid4 Concept
The RCZ Hybrid4 concept integrated a 2.0 L HDi FAP diesel engine with an electric motor paired to a 6-speed electronically controlled transmission. This setup aimed to achieve fuel efficiency in combined driving conditions and maintain CO2 emissions at 95 g/km.
RCZ R
Introduced in November 2012 and unveiled officially in July 2013, the RCZ R represented Peugeot’s high-performance model. It was powered by a turbocharged 1.6L engine producing at 6000 rpm and torque available between 1900 and 5500 rpm, delivering an impressive specific output of 166 bhp per litre—the highest for this engine size at that time. Performance figures included acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to . Key mechanical improvements featured 380mm Alcon brakes, upgraded suspension components, weight reduction measures, and a Torsen front differential designed to reduce torque steer. The RCZ R was launched in January 2014 at a starting price of £31,995. Production totaled 3,054 units globally, with 305 sold within the UK market.
Special editions
The RCZ Allure was a special edition based on the 1.6 THP156 model, equipped with a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and fitted with 18-inch wheels.
The Asphalt edition was restricted to a run of 500 vehicles, distinguished by its 19-inch black and silver alloy wheels alongside black leather sport seats.
Exclusively available in Germany, the RCZ Brownstone featured metallic brown exterior paint accented by silver racing stripes and an interior finished in brown Cohiba leather combined with Alcantara.
The UK-only RCZ Magnetic was limited to just 170 units, offered in pearlescent black paired with Flame Red leather seats or white paired with black leather seats. It also included matte black roof arches, grille, brake calipers, door mirrors, a soft-touch leather sports steering wheel, and a short-throw gear lever.
For Belgium and Luxembourg markets, the RCZ Raidillon was produced in a limited quantity of only 55 units. This edition showcased unique Guaranja Brown paintwork and interiors trimmed in Cohiba Nappa leather with Alcantara upholstery featuring “Raidillon” embroidery on the seat backrests.
Reception and awards
The Peugeot RCZ received the Top Gear 2010 Coupe of the Year accolade and secured the Auto Express Best Coupé of the Year title for three consecutive years. Additionally, it earned the Auto Express readers' Special Design Award 2010 as well as the prestigious Best of the Best Red Dot Award recognizing its design excellence. Between 2010 and 2014, Diesel Car magazine honored the RCZ as Best Sports Car annually for five straight years. Ian Robertson, editor of DieselCar, commended its engaging driving dynamics, nimble handling characteristics, and efficient diesel powertrain. Matt Saunders from Autocar favorably contrasted the RCZ R against rivals, describing the Audi TT as uninspiring to drive and dated in design while considering the Mini Coupé JCW 1.6 less polished compared to Peugeot’s offering.
Motorsport
The RCZ Peugeot Sport, a specially enhanced version of the RCZ, participates in the Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup Italy, a single-make racing series. This model boasts an increased output from 200 to 250 bhp, improved braking systems, a rear spoiler with adjustable settings, reduced weight, and an integrated roll cage. Variants of the RCZ have secured class wins at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race, with diesel-powered models in 2010 and 2011, followed by the RCZ Peugeot Sport in 2012.
Sales and production
| Year | Global Production | Global Sales | Remarks |
| 2009 | 100 | 100 | |
| 2010 | 19,100 | 16,600 | |
| 2011 | 19,725 | 18,828 | Cumulative production reaches 38,933 units. |
| 2012 | 9,800 | 11,118 | Cumulative production totals 48,800 units. |
| 2013 | unknown | 9,249 | |
| 2014 | unknown | 6,994 | |
| 2015 | unknown | 4,558 | Manufacturing concluded on 18 September 2015. |
| 2016 | 0 | 459 | By the end of 2016, total sales amounted to 67,906 units. |
| 2017 | 0 | 10 | Sales reached 67,916 units as of October 2017. |