Peugeot’s ‘must-have’ RCZ R coupe debuts in England at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ahead of official launch in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and global sales from early next year.
At the RCZ R’s heart is a new turbocharged 1.6-litre engine developed by Peugeot and code-named ‘EP6CDTR’. Maximum power is 199kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 330Nm is delivered from 1900rpm – making the RCZ R the coupe the most powerful road-going car we’ve seen from the French giant.
Drive is via a Torsen differential and the Peugeot RCZ R is good enough to cover zero to 100km/h in under six seconds.
In developing its ultimate RCZ, as well as muscling-up the engine, Peugeot’s engineers also called-in Jenny Craig and the ‘R’ version tips the scales 17kgs lighter than the regular model at 1280kgs.
High-speed aerodynamics were also a focus and the Peugeot RCZ R runs a fixed rear spoiler and underneath is a diffuser. Matt black versions of the hallmark RCZ twin roof arches, 19-inch alloy wheels, ride height lowered by 10mm and the ‘R’ badge on the front grille provide further visual differentiation.
Inside are new design sports seats trimmed in Nappa leather and Alcantara, lots of red stitching, Peugeot Sport alloy door sills and a smaller steering wheel and gear lever.
Underneath are uprated brakes, wider track and revised camber settings plus Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric tyres measuring 235/40 R19.
Only 500 of the RCZ R are scheduled for production with Peugeot Cars Australia hoping to have 40 in Australia around May next year.
