Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot RCZ is our kind of French connection

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:19:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Europe, Peugeot

Peugeot RCZ - Click above for high-res image gallery

Some things are worth waiting for. Take the Peugeot RCZ, for example. French auto giant PSA has been talking about putting the RCZ into production since initially unveiling it as a concept car in this very hall back in 2007. And that day has finally arrived with the unveiling of the production-ready coupe here in Frankfurt.

The critics may say the styling is too close to the Audi TT, but to our eyes that's no bad thing. And while there are certainly some TT-esque design traits coming through, there is plenty to set this apart as uniquely Peugeot. Sporting a Zagato-style double-bubble roof and muscular wheel arches, the RCZ is easily the most stylish French car this side of a Bugatti.

Mechanically, it's based on the 308 hatchback, but the svelte coupe has dropped the numeric moniker on the road to production. Engines include 1.6-liter turbo fours with 156 or 200 horsepower and a 2-liter turbodiesel with 163 ponies. Also available with the oil-burning mill is a hybrid drivetrain supplemented by a 37-horsepower electric motor that matches the top gas engine's output while upping the ante with all-wheel-drive and environmental bragging rights. Have a closer look in the gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot RCZ

Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot RCZ is our kind of French connection originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Peugeot to produce pretty 308 RC-Z

Dan Roth — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, PSA, Peugeot

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!

Gallery: Peugeot 308 RC Z

[Source: AutoBild]

Peugeot to produce pretty 308 RC-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments