It has been three years since Peugeot first took the wraps off the great looking Peugeot RCZ. Peugeot Australia has just released the mid-life update to the Peugeot RCZ this week. The halo car for the brand in Australia gains more aggressive design, more standard features whilst keeping it price advantage over the similar looking Audi TT.
With a long history in motorsport people might expect the Peugeot RCZ to be out-and-out of a sports car but the team at Peugeot have delivered a well balanced entry level sports car. The out-and-out sports car will be the 191kW Peugeot RCZ-R which we expect to debut in 2014.
Peugeot RCZ Review Overview
With the updated 2013 Peugeot RCZ buyers get a new more aggressive design, the “Black Pack”( black arches, brake callipers and black grill), Bi-Xenon headlights, 19” inch alloy wheels up from 18” inch, standard satellite navigation and assured service plan.
There are no mechanical changes for the updated 2013 Peugeot RCZ range. Buyers can choose from one of three models, the 2.0-litre turbo diesel manual, 1.6-litre turbo petrol, auto or a 1.6-litre turbo petrol manual which is the pick of bunch
All three models are priced from $58,990 MRP
Peugeot RCZ Review Engine
The drive program at the national launch for the RCZ was split in to two. The first half of the day Carshowroom spent time behind the wheel of the automatic 1.6-litre turbo petrol on loop from Sandown Raceway to Mt Dandenong. The second half was spend pushing the manual 1.6-litre turbo around Sandown Raceway
The engine line for the Peugeot RCZ is:
1.6-litre turbo petrol, 147kW, Euro 5, 275Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox
CO2: 159g/km and 6.9 l/100 km
1.6-litre turbo petrol, 115kW, 240Nm, 6-speed automatic gearbox
CO2: 168g/km and 7.3 l/00 km
2.0-litre turbo diesel, 120kW, Euro 5, 340 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox
CO2: 139g/km and 5.3 l/100 km;
Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to drive the 2.0 litre diesel.
Peugeot RCZ Review The Interior
The saying goes why fix things if they aren’t broken? While Peugeot has done just that. Jump inside and you feel quality is felt instantly. Peugeot RCZ delivers great front seats, heated and finished in leather with integrated head-restraints. Electronic adjustment covers height, slide and recline functions, while the lumbar support is manual – the result is a superb driving position.
The pop-up infotainment systems combines the standard Sat-nav, sound comes from a six-speaker, single CD unit with USB connector, remote jack socket, audio streaming and hands-free Bluetooth.
The rear seats are more for show than use. Anyone over the age of 7 might struggle to sit through a long journey. The boot on the RCZ is impressive 384 litres, fold the seats down and this grows to 760 litres.
The subtle changes over the previous RCZ are:
• gear lever surround which is now lacquered black
• the new door pads with trim inserts
• two aluminium inserts adorn the join of the dashboard
Peugeot RCZ Review Exterior & Styling
Peugeot has managed to take an already impressive stylish car and make it better. The front end has been re-styled, the use of harder lines and darker highlights create a more aggressive look to the RCZ.
Upfront there is a new front grille, which flows in to new LED running lights. The headlights are upgraded to Bi-Xenon across the range.
Gone are the silver wheel arches, these have been replaced with a more aggressive matt black arches, under the arches the RCZ sits on a set of 19” inch technical Grey alloy wheels.
At the rear is the active spoiler which is automatically deployed to 19 degrees at 85 km/h and increase to 34 degrees at 155 km/h.
Peugeot RCZ Review On The Road
As we’ve already said if you are after an out-and-out sports car then the RCZ is not for you. But if you want a stylish French coupe that is handy off the line and handles the twisty roads with easy then the RCZ should be in the mix for you.
The wide track, low ride height and stiff suspension gives you an enjoyable, rewarding and satisfying drive on country roads. Around town the RCZ is easy to live with unlike hardcore sports cars.
Driving the RCZ around Sandown raceway was a thrilling experience. The manual gear box is terrific, the changes are short, sharp and precise.
The laps of Sandown allowed the media to experience the sportness of the RCZ that you don’t get to see on the road. The lap went a little like this:
Full throttle down the straight hitting close to 180km/h in fifth gear along the main straight before dropping to third for the left hander, keep in third gear for a right then left chicane before dropping back to 2nd for a 90 degree right hander on to the back straight. Punch your right foot through the floor nudging close to 170km/h in forth gear on the back straight, brake hard down to third slight left, slight right down to second gear for sharp left hander. Hit the accelerator before braking for a right hander then short sharp left in third gear before hitting the main straight again. Repeat for two hours. Oh what fun.
Peugeot RCZ Review Challenges
On the secondary roads around Mt Dandenong in Victoria the Peugeot RCZ crashed over pot holes leaving the passengers a little shaken
Peugeot RCZ Review The Competition
Comparing the RCZ can be a difficult job, with the RCZ straddling a few different categories. If we had to part with our hard earned with would also take a look at:
The entry level Audi TT starts at $65,450 for the 1.8litre 118kW 6-speed manual. The top selling sports car is the Mazda MX-5 and with a starting price of $47,280 you get 2.0 litre 118 kW 6-speed manual.
A little left of field you could also consider the entry level Mercedes Benz C-Class Coupe for $59,990.
Peugeot RCZ Review Verdict
The Peugeot RCZ is a stunning looking two door coupe. The updated front end gives the car a more agressive look, yet style keeps it grace and style. If you are after a car that looks stunning and is easy to live with then the RCZ should be in your garage.
Peugeot RCZ Likes:
Styling, upgraded standard features, pricing
Peugeot RCZ Dislikes:
Stiff suspension, needs more power
