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Peugeot RC-Z

Peugeot's Audi TT-rivaling RC-Z sports coupe has finally hit the road - and we've got behind the wheel for an exclusive first drive.

Peugeot RC-Z

By Dan Strong

March 2010

 
Even our entry level 2.0-litre diesel-engined car stunned us with its mid corner poise and stability – no mean feat on our twisting Spanish test route.

Let’s get straight to the point, Peugeot’s RC-Z is a revelation!

Smooth riding, with sweet handing, it’s the best driver’s car Peugeot has built since the 205GTI.

That's a big statement - yet even our entry level 2.0-litre diesel-engined car stunned us with its mid corner poise and stability. No mean feat on our twisting Spanish test route.

But before we get stuck into the detail of exactly how the Audi TT rivalling coupe has pulled off such a stunning feat, let’s deal with the looks.

Anyone who has spent the last two years watching Peugeot’s Motor Show appearances will have been well aware of the RC-Z’s shape. The coupe has been a near permanent presence over the last two and a half years. First shown as a concept in late 2007, the car was confirmed for production early in 2008, and revealed road going trim less than a year later.

With its distinctive double-bubble roof canopy and rear window, it also sports aluminium effect roof pillars, and has a bold, cab forward profile that instantly marks it out as a very different machine to its closest competition.

More importantly than that, the design offers the RC-Z a handcrafted feel, that looks more expensive than its £20,450 pricetag would suggest.

On the road, there’s really not much else to rival it for kerbside appeal, and though we felt some of the detailing lacks the upmarket finish of its German rivals, it’s a car you would never tire of looking at.

Inside, it’s a similar story. Our test car’s leather trimmed dash is neatly finished, with contrasting stitching and bright, jewel like instruments. The oversized analogue clock in the centre of a dash makes an overt statement on this car’s bold fashion credentials, while crome effect trim adds a dash of sparkle too.

But while everything in the drivers eye line looks good, we felt improvements could be made to the likes of the centre console, which is finished in hard, scratchy plastic. The same is true at the rear of the car, where some mouldings feel cheap and flimsy.

Some of this is forgiven when the diesel fires. The unit is smooth, and there’s none of the rough idle often associated with such powerplants.

In gear, acceleration is smooth, with torque delivered right the way up to the 5,000rpm red line.

Gearchanges are slick, and the lever’s short throw offers a lightness we found perfectly suited the closely stacked ratios.

Steering felt instantly responsive, and the front wheels offered huge amounts of grip. The  system was accurate too, if lacking the ultimate feel and feedback on offer from front wheel drive cars like the new Ford Fiesta.

The Peugeot’s trump card, however, is its chassis – which is capable of absorbing the fiercest of abuse from the road and the driver, delivering controlled and fuss free progress even under the most challenging conditions.

As an example, you can brake hard into a corner to scrub off speed without causing the car to wander away from your intended line.

Purists, however be warned, while the RC-Z offers the same beautifully composed ride as the old 205GTI, it lacks that car’s enthusiasm for mid corner oversteer, and it’s beautifully weighted steering.

That means that where the 205GTI was a delight to drive through tight hairpin bends, and occasionally frightening through fast flowing corners, the RC-Z is the reverse – revelling in high speed turns, but left scratching around for traction when the road turns more sharply.

But this is a minor criticism. Clearly, Peugeot’s chassis team has managed to rediscover some of the magic that allowed it to dominate its rivals back in the late 1980’s. In the maker’s 200th year, we can’t think of a more fitting tribute to the past. 

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17 Comments

The essence of the 205GTi

Lets see the petrol version before making any decisions boys!
That was the essence with the 205GTi.
I drove that car and it was fabulous! Nothing but the original VW Golf GTi can get close to it.
If it performs as well as the diesel would suggest, then it will get my vote.
It is a stunner. That face suits this car. Finally a Peugeot to be proud of.

By lucasworld on 15 March, 2010, 11:03pm

205GT VS MI16

I

By normyyy on 16 March, 2010, 9:55am

i've owned both a 205GTI AND A MILDLY MODIFIED 1989 MI16----THE 205 WAS FUN BUT THE MI16 PUT A PERMANENT GRIN ON YOUR FACE AS SOON AS YOU WERE MOVING!---Let's hope this latest reincarnation has the same grin factor?

By normyyy on 16 March, 2010, 10:04am

Mi16

agree with nnormyyy. Ran two Mi16s - one standard, one chipped. Fabulous underrated cars. very few if any about now as most were scrapped for the twin cam engine. I drove mine mega miles across the highways and byways of Europe. that chassis and engine combination were so great and rewarding. Even my current Mazda6 MPS, great performance car that it is, just lacks that feel good factpor of the Peugeot. Lets hope the TT with a powerful petrol engine can replicate the fun and feel good factor of the GTI and Mi16.

By vintageman on 16 March, 2010, 11:46am

Never bought a Peugeot in 35 years of driving.
This could change my mind.
But will it be reliable?

By toycollector on 16 March, 2010, 12:55pm

Coupe

The photo's unclear. Does any one know if this coupe is a proper four seater or just a 2+2, good for shopping?

By desertrat2 on 16 March, 2010, 4:14pm

200th year! So Peugeot have been making automobiles since 1810? Really I thought Benz introduced the first one around 1886? Do Auto Express actually research anything? And I suppose that Peugeot have the same Chassis engineers 20 year on, to have recaptured the magic? On a positive note it is the only good looking French car, sadly it will be let down by poor reliability and an awful dealer network!

By Focus_your_mind on 17 March, 2010, 3:05pm

Peugeot's 200th year

Peugeot's industrial history dates to 1810. The family business focused on making hoops for massive dresses favoured by French ladies of the day. This expertise in making round bits of metal led to an umbrella business, and a bicycle empire too. Cars came in 1889, and were steam powered.

By DanStrong2 on 17 March, 2010, 5:18pm

French Electrics

The major Achilles heel of French car manufacturers. Have they addresses this major failing?

Also, the loose dashboard syndrome. Do their dashboards still start coming loose and start rattling after one too many imperfect roads?

Apart from these reservations, this car looks like a superb competitor to Audi's TT. It probably has Peugeot's superior suspension system.

By mhn001 on 17 March, 2010, 8:08pm

It's a looker alright

but you just cant get excited about it until they drop a decent petrol lump in to it.

By oliver144 on 17 March, 2010, 9:30pm

Quality

Anybody questionning reliability of Peugeot cars hasn't bought a new one in the last 3 years. Poor reliabilty disappeared with the dreadful 307. Build quality on recent cars is superb.
The RCZ is stunning, inside and out, I sat in it at the opening of Hardie Motor Group's new showroom in Stirling last night. It is a 2+2 with only room for some baggage in the back seats but who cares, it's gorgeous!

By IF_TG on 18 March, 2010, 10:25pm

Can't wait!

Only seen pictures so far but the car looks stunning, and you don't buy a car like that to be practical, or I personally wouldn't anyway. I'm waiting to hear from my local dealer to have a test drive when their demonstrator arrives, and if I'm honest I can't wait!!
In Auto Express's favour, maybe Focus_your_mind should do some research!!
Ah well, I just hope it's not steam powered!

By discodave on 19 March, 2010, 3:49pm

???

hey guys...it has only 200 hp!!!!!!! this is a poor power...u cant do anything now with 200 hp....cars out there have much more than 200 hp...and peugeots are shit...they broke up....are for teenagers and for poor families

By yaspaa on 22 March, 2010, 7:39am

???-2


By yaspaa on 22 March, 2010, 7:39am

You'll have a Veyron, a villa, and a yacht on the Med then ?
Surprised you're reading a common magazine like this, perhaps your personal mechanic could recommend something more in keeping with your exalted lifestyle....



By stevie on 23 March, 2010, 8:35am

???-2


By yaspaa on 22 March, 2010, 7:39am

You'll have a Veyron, a villa, and a yacht on the Med then ?
Surprised you're reading a common magazine like this, perhaps your personal mechanic could recommend something more in keeping with your exalted lifestyle....



By stevie on 23 March, 2010, 8:52am

???-?

You can't do anything with 200hp? Really? Have you any car knowledge at all? Plonk youself in a Lotus Elise some time and then YOU tell ME whether 200hp is inadequate. Oh and by the way, unless you opt for one of the madder modded Lotus's, Lotei or whatever the hell the plural of Lotus is, youll find a huge grin on your face placed there by way less than 200hp. Oh, and they're bloody quick too.

While it's true that older Peugeots have never been renowned for reliability and holding themselves together when the going gets tough, most of their models are a hoot to drive, even the little 106 if it's on the right tyres. I owned a 405 for a while and even though it tried its damndest to shed enough parts to morph itself into the supermini sector, it handled like a dream, and it only had a crappy diesel engine sporting 115hp :P (sarcasm ftw) :)

By sgtgrash on 10 April, 2010, 3:01pm

nice than a TT

This car looks nicer than the Audi TT, and I speak as an Audi owner. If it can match the performance of the TT it should sell well. Peugeot could be onto a winner here. Ford drivers will no doubt find something wrong with it.

By bigbazza on 18 April, 2010, 7:44pm

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Peugeot RC-Z
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FIRST OPINION

    Let the celebrations begin! Peugeot has not just built a car that's great to look at, but is a great driver's car too. With class leading mid corner poise and stability, our diesel engined test car is both responsive to drive, and extremely quick with it. We have yet to test the car in the UK, but all the signs point to this car finally living up to the legend of the orginal 205GTI - something performance Peugeot fans car really celebrate in the firm's 200th year.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Engine: 2.0-litre diesel, 163bhp
    0-62mph: 8.7 seconds
    Top Speed: 134mph
    Standard Equipment: 18inch alloy wheels, dual zone air conditioning, traction control, stability control, active rear spoiler, twin sports exhausts, cloth sports seats.
    Price: £20,450
    On Sale: Now
     
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