A FRENCH sports car? Apart from a few hot hatches and the occasional concept, the French have been sadly lacking in models that make it onto any petrolheads wish list. Thankfully that’s all set to change with the RCZ.
For those of us jaded with the grim realities of life on this little isle these days, Peugeot has come up with a car that reminds us just why we swoon when we see a well-sculpted lump of mobile metal.
In the last decade or so, Peugeot seemingly forgot about the fun side of motoring. Models like the glorious 205 were replaced by a litany of fatter, frumpier descendents that lumbered along with all the grace of an obese teenager on an athletics track. The bigger grilles only added to this impression, making the cars look like they gasping for breath and in need of an inhaler. Suddenly, after a few short years of racing at Le Mans, the fat French adolescent is ready for the debutant ball.
Officially it’s a two-plus-two coupé, in reality it’s the same as most sports coupés in that it’s a two-seater with a tiny bench in the rear. We managed to squeeze two adults into the back in an airport dash but it was a ridiculously tight fit, with their heads rubbing up against the rear window and their legs tucked up alongside the front headrests. Then again, it’s no worse than you will find in any of these cars, with the exception of the more hatchback-like Volkswagen Scirocco.
For all the unique styling cues, the RCZ does share some hatchback heritage, as its derived in large part from the current 308 and there are some telltale elements in common with both cars. For example, the dashboard and central console are largely the same, but it seems much better presented here and the fit and finish is on a par with what you might expect from a German premium rival than a French mainstream brand.
The Audi TT may still have an edge over it, but it’s not as far ahead as some might suspect. Peugeot dramatically improved its game with the 3008 and it continues apace in this car.
That impression doesn’t end in the cabin. Peugeot has done an admirable job in teasing out every sporty trait from the powertrains and chassis. The engine range starts with a 156bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol, sourced from BMW and is the same one that features in the Mini range.
Our week-long test however, was in the 163bhp 2-litre diesel and it’s going to be the big seller here. It’s perhaps not as punchy as we might have hoped but it’s well able to hurl the RCZ towards the horizon while keeping emissions at a very respectable range. There’s a nice mechanical feel to the transmission and the well-ratioed six-speed box lets you dial in the power whenever you want.
While it might harbour some 308 DNA, the RCZ is a much tauter, more dynamic ride than any of the past Peugeot stable. That’s partly down to the fact the wheelbase is significantly shorter than its hatchback sibling.
The benefits don’t end there. This diminutive coupé has an incredibly practical boot, one that impressed everyone who saw it. At 384 litres, it’s far superior to anything we’ve come across in a car of this stature. It’s a neat design trick due in part to the shortened nose and longer rear tail.
While everyone will make reference to its TT similarities, it has some unique features of its own – the so-called double bubble roof being the most obvious. From the rear it looks to be sculpted to match the heads of its occupants and then sweeps down into the rear window.
Behind the wheel, the RCZ is nearly as good to drive as it looks. The handling is sharp, though we would have liked more feedback and a little more mechanical feel from the steering. Part of the problem is perhaps down to the large steering wheel.
The ride is also worthy of praise. The rear suspension is particularly adept at tucking down and gripping the road and while its Audi rival might offer a more focused sporty drive, the RCZ is far more adept at cornering than you would expect from the French brand. It’s wide stance and low centre of gravity makes it a proper sports coupé and if you’ve spent any time in a 207 or 308 then you won’t believe it comes from the same stable.
SO HOW DOESit stack up against its rivals? In reality, its competition is thin on the ground, which makes it all the more welcome.
There is the TT, of course, but few others within €5,000 of its price tag. The fact it bears such a resemblance to the German should be taken as a compliment by Audi, whose TT will likely retain better resale values than the mainstream Peugeot. That’s where the German really wins out.
The one firm we might have expected to offer something of a challenge in affordable sports cars was Alfa Romeo, but it has withdrawn the GT from the Irish market. Similarly, Mazda no longer offers the RX-8 and it has been years since Toyota or Opel played in this field. Fun seems to be in short supply in the car market. Even the Hyundai Coupé, once the most common coupé on Irish roads, is in hiatus.
That leaves us with just a handful of rivals that include the Mazda MX-5. While the price might be significantly lower than the RCZ, €10,00 lower, it is not as muscular in its styling, not as practical in terms of interior and bootspace and not as emissions-friendly.
Clearly the other options open to buyers reside in the hot hatch market, with the likes of the Ford Focus RS or the Volkswagen Golf GTi. But many potential buyers may regard them as too rowdy for their taste.
The RCZ is a breath of fresh air: a fun sports car with stunning good looks at a relatively affordable price. And with an emissions level in the second lowest category, you can carry all these good looks with a relatively clear conscience.
Peugeot put practicality at its core for so long we thought they’d forgotten about the reason people love cars. The RCZ puts much-needed passion back in in the brand.+
Factfile
Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDI
BHP: 163 @ 3,750rpm
Torque: 340Nm @ 2,000rpm
0-100km/h: 8.2 secs
Top speed: 220km/h
L/100km (mpg):urban – 6.8 (41.5); extra-urban – 4.5 (62.7); combined – 5.3 (53.3)
Emissions (tax):139g/km (€156)
Price: €36,495 (1.6-litre 200bhp petrol is €41,495)
Specification: Standard features include dual front and side airbags; ABS with emergency brake assist; ESP stability and traction control; alarm; cruise control and speed limiter; front and rear parking aids; Bluetooth phone connection; ; 18" alloys; leather interior trim.
Safety: Five-star Euro NCAP rating
The Rivals
Audi TT 2.0TDi 170bhp Quattro
BHP:170
Torque:350Nm
0-100km/h:7.5 secs
Top speed:226km/h
L/100km (mpg):5.3 (53.3)
Emissions (tax):139g/km (€156)
Price:€44,175
BMW 118d M sport coupé
BHP:143
Torque:300Nm
0-100km/h:9.0
Top speed:210km/h
L/100km (mpg):4.5 (62.8)
Emissions (tax):119g/km (€104)
Price:€33,380
Mazda MX-5 Roadster coupé
BHP:125
Torque:167Nm
0-100km/h:9.9 secs
Top speed:198 km/h
L/100km (mpg):7.3 (38.7)
Emissions (tax):174g/km (€630)
Price:€25,495
Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI
BHP:170
Torque:350Nm
0-100km/h:8.1 secs
Top speed:222km/h
L/100km (mpg):5.3 (53.3)
Emissions (tax):139 (€156)
Price:€31,995