click the picture to view a Google translated version of the source
PSA is putting its very attractive 308 RC-Z into series production, and will make a formal announcement at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. When we saw this curvaceous coupe in in Frankfurt last year, German flooded our imagination. As has been previously pointed out, there's a lot of Audi TT in the roofline, and the side elevation evokes the Karmann Ghia. We can give Peugeot a pass on that, since the car's designer is German, and there are worse fates than aping two very stylish coupes.
The design hides easter eggs for alert viewers, too. The roof and backlight are formed from polycarbonate and use a double bubble shape to increase headroom for occupants, while at the same time evoking racers by Zagato. The upkick in the doors where they meet the rear quarter windows also offers visual amusement, too. Underhood is a direct-injected, 218-horsepower 1.6L four-cylinder that's shared with the MINI. With less than 2,700 pounds to haul around and Peugeot's storied suspension prowess, the grin might never leave your face.
The 308 RC-Z would be a great vehicle to lead Peugeot's return to the North American market. Many may remember unreliable chariots of woe when they think of Peugeot, but we can't shake our affection for the 405 Mi16. With small cars and coupes showing signs of life, now could be the time, and we think this car would sell better than useless crap on eBay. Thanks for the tip, vlatko!
[Source: AutoBild]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gary Lowe @ Feb 24th 2008 9:14AM
Peugeot makes beautiful cars, no doubt. But anybody who thinks their quality is anything but horrific is more misinformed than George W Bush himself. Every car blog from China to the UK is filled with poor reliability and bad engineering ratings for their cars. The 307 being among the worst. Best to just enjoy their looks from afar. Skoda would be a much addition to the US list of European imports than Peugeot
DKB_SATX @ Feb 24th 2008 12:07PM
VW of America would never want the corporate parent to allow Skoda or SEAT to come to the US. VW couldn't withstand THAT competition, since they're cheaper small cars very much like their VW cousins, and Americans like nothing more in their small cars than cheap.
Chaz @ Feb 24th 2008 1:36PM
yeah, Italian and French cars have never been "reliable" per se, but at least they look better sitting there (presumably disabled) than most VWs or M-Bs.
linhlambo @ Feb 24th 2008 9:15AM
it looks like new Audi TT
Dan Roth @ Feb 24th 2008 9:30AM
"As has been previously pointed out, there's a lot of Audi TT in the roofline"
From the text of the post - thanks for adding to the discussion
indymcsc @ Feb 24th 2008 9:30AM
When did Peugeot become a Chinese company? This design is a total ripoff of the new TT and the Eclipse.
Hugh @ Feb 24th 2008 9:32AM
While this does share some common design themes with the TT, the TT itself is derivative of many past designs, Karmann-Ghia included. While I would prefer a more original design or typically Peugeot-inspired design, I do think the car is attractive. Were Peugeot to decide to sell this in the U.S., I would certainly be giving it a serious look. I currently drive a 405 wagon and had a 505 2.8 in years past. Both saw use as daily drivers and were reliable enough for that sort of duty.
cardude3000 @ Feb 24th 2008 9:33AM
If the Green Goblin drove a car...
tenfifteen @ Feb 24th 2008 10:49AM
The design of the Karmann Ghia was Italian, by the way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghia
Hugh @ Feb 24th 2008 9:49AM
Peugeot has a long history of using Italian designs, so I suppose there is some historical reference for them to borrow from a car like the K-G. That said, I don't know that any past Peugeots were Ghia designs. I'm only aware of their long cooperation with Pininfarina.
Dan Roth @ Feb 24th 2008 9:52AM
Yes, I'm aware the Karmann Ghia was an Italian design - but Volkswagen, a German company, sold the car.
In fact, that Ghia design may be Italian by way of Studebaker.
tenfifteen @ Feb 24th 2008 10:50AM
Sorry, just pointing out that if you're saying the car has you thinking German, then commenting that the design 'evokes' the KG, it bears mentioning that the design in question is Italian.
LoneWolf @ Feb 24th 2008 10:52AM
Really ugly.
Since a few years, all (smaller) Peugeuots look the same. Some are more pompous than other, but they're all the same.
The last beautiful french cars were the Citroen DS & 2CV..
Dan Roth @ Feb 24th 2008 11:22AM
2CV is beautiful? First time I've heard those words together.
nagmashot @ Feb 24th 2008 11:52AM
calling this ugly and a 2CV beautiful throws a confusing light on your taste...
nagmashot @ Feb 24th 2008 11:55AM
more interesting...
with 217hp and fun to drive suspension brake setup (Autozeitung made a test drove with the prototype) the 308 RC Z gets 35mpg(US) in mixed city highway in average 7.0s 0-62mph topspeed of 148mph ... thats all most likely for under 23,000Euro... means under $23,000 if sold in the USA
Joel @ Feb 24th 2008 2:52PM
nagmashot:
Not sure where you're getting your info from, but $23,000 EUR is about $34,000 USD
DKB_SATX @ Feb 24th 2008 6:11PM
It's not a bad rule of thumb where car prices are concerned, actually. Each Euro is worth much more than $1 these days, but cars sell for a higher overall price per unit in Europe, so it's not useless as a rough estimate to just swap the euro symbol for $ and think that might be in the ballpark.
vlatko @ Feb 24th 2008 12:45PM
i think this will be cheeper audi tt, you know audi tt for masses :D
but its not that nice, rear end is allmost long as front end, but as i saw on pics whole MTB bike can fin in there...
Richard @ Feb 24th 2008 12:48PM
The front of thsi car - the way Pugeot have handled the European "how to best hit a pedestrian" thing is horrific ...at best...
UGLY!