Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Peugeot
Peugeot asks, "Parlez-vous TT?" with 308 RC Z Coupe Concept
by John Neff on Jul 30th 2007 at 11:47AM 
click above image for 31 high-res shots of the Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept
The Audi TT's shape is the envy of many designers who didn't think of it first, but that hasn't stopped Peugeot's designers from outright aping the Ingolstadt coupe with the 308 RC Z concept that will debut in Frankfurt come September. The car is meant to show us what can be done with the 308 beyond the basic 3- and 5-door body styles, in this case a 2+2 coupe. The front end is unmistakably Peugeot, while everything else reminds us instantly of the Audi TT, with that longish rear deck even evoking the Audi Avus Quattro Concept from 1991.
The 308 RC Z concept is based on the garden variety 308, which allows it to share many bits with its pedestrian sibling and make a better business case for production. In order to reduce weight, however, the 308 RC Z also uses aluminum components extensively, as well as some carbon fiber body panels. The car's total poundage comes to 2,645 lbs. (including fuel), which shouldn't be too difficult for its 218-hp 1.6L turbo four-cylinder sourced from the 207 RC to haul around. Peugeot estimates 62 mph can be reached after 7 seconds of full-throttle fun, while the party will poop out around 146 mph.
While the aesthetic is a hand-me-down from Audi, the 308 RC Z coupe makes a solid case for production thanks to its extensive parts sharing. A good reception in Frankfurt is all it likely needs for a green light.
[Source: Peugeot]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Seminole 12:07PM (7/30/2007)
Mitsubishi called, they want their Eclipse back.
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gus 12:07PM (7/30/2007)
Looks like they put a Peugeot face on a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Is it possible? Given their recent "facelifted" version of the Mitsubishi's Outlander?
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Fabri91 12:27PM (7/30/2007)
Chevy SSR goes wild with Audi TT and Mitsubishi Eclipse...
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nagmashot 12:28PM (7/30/2007)
a TT 350Z child ...looks good
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autohobby 12:30PM (7/30/2007)
Hey, Peugeot, make it better, not worse!
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Keija 12:35PM (7/30/2007)
wow,
I see everything in this car .. except originality.
"Mouth" and Overall Shape copied from Audi.
Taillight and Trunk (not to mention the name) from the 350Z.
I think it looks good, but what were they thinking!?
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H. Chrzas 2:25PM (7/30/2007)
I think it needs more curves
Gil 2:57PM (7/30/2007)
The "mouth" thing was done by Peugeot loooong before Audi. In fact you could say Audi copied Peugeot on that feature.
Nellydesign 12:44PM (7/30/2007)
They look so similar, but there is one difference I can't quite put my finger on...
Oh yeah, the Audi looks GOOD.
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Allan 12:50PM (7/30/2007)
Copy of this and that or not... that front end has WAY too much going on.
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J.Crew 12:51PM (7/30/2007)
Conan O'Brien - If they mated skit:
350Z + Audi TT + Mitsubishi Eclipse = 308 RC Z
Nice interior though.
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geo.stewart 12:56PM (7/30/2007)
with that tail and the line in the midle of the sloping roof, I'm envisioning a future retractabl hardtop. worst case and this would fall under french oddities, the roof retracts but the door frames stay intact giving a targa like setup
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Mash 1:16PM (7/30/2007)
Audi did not patent the curved roof. Nothing else looks like the Audi.
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Richard 1:18PM (7/30/2007)
Lot's of surfaces on the outside. Too many. Looks like Bangle on acid.
Beautiful interior, though.
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Mike 1:21PM (7/30/2007)
TT look or not, that 308 is HOT.
I've always liked Peugeot's, let's get 'em back in The States...
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Tyo 1:32PM (7/30/2007)
"The 308 RC Z concept is based on the garden variety 308"
That implies FF only?
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Waltzon 1:34PM (7/30/2007)
Generally, I'm all for sticking it to the French any time we can, but I am at a loss for biting jabs on this one. I agree that the silhouette is all TT, but this has a certain menacing elan which the TT lacks in its entirety. I'm all in favor of this one.
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calebe 1:44PM (7/30/2007)
actually, thats pretty wild.
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Grant 1:48PM (7/30/2007)
The interior on this screams TT. I know, I have one.
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Jiwa 3:52PM (7/30/2007)
It very much reminds me of the 1998 Plymouth Pronto Spyder Concept -- a car Chryslyer should have made!
Check out the links....
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pqr/Plymouth-Pronto-Spyder.htm
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z740/default.aspx
http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/pronto-spyder.html
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