Peugeot 308 RCZ Concept

Looks and size sure to give RCZ appeal

Almost two years ago, Peugeot broke its own faily staid design mould to parade a stunning 2 + 2 coupe that had the critics raving at Germanys Frankfurt Motor show.

That September 2007 showing of 308 RCZ also drew the kind of public acclaim that could mean only one thing – hose slick, hatchback sized hot wheels wre destined to become a showroom reality.

And so they will – Peugeot has ditched the 308 numbering to retain only the RCZ title for the car, and it will go on sale in Britain in spring next year. Meanwhile, this Septembers Frankfurt exhibition will see the RCZ debut in its final production form, but motor industry experts dont expect the 2010 launch car to contain too many surprises from that original 07 concept.

It was that cars looks and diminutive dimentions – 4.27 metres long and 1.84m wide – that wowed the crowds. Power was supplied by a 1.6 lire turbo charged petrol unit taken from the engine seen at that time in Peugeos 207 GTi.

The concept engines power was uprated to 218bjp, and used a six speed manual gearbox, to produce a 0-62mph time of seven seconds and a top speed of 146mph. The petrol consumption figure was given as 42.2mpg on the combined cycle.

At the front of the concept, the exterior styling was taken directly from the 308 but given a sharper and sportier bottom nose panel with an air intake, chrome front grille and integral front fog lights.

The cars curved roof panel and rear window help air flow over the rear of the RCZ, creating plenty of rear down-force to remove the need for an intrusive spoiler.

Twin exhaust pipes are built into the wraparound rear bumper lower panel, and on the inside of the concept, the fascia was taken directly from the 308 hatchback.

It is to be hoped Peugeot has improved on the control panel: it will broaden the appeal of the coupe, which – if it is to sell – needs to have a price tag pitched at about the £20,000 mark.

A little exclusivity will help, too – the concept RCZ has its facia panel trimmed in leather, with the use of chrome, aluminium and black lacquer detailing giving the look of sporting luxury.

The conept also had bucket front seats, while at the rear there were two folding leather seats, aimed more at younder occupants.

Peugeot packed impressive safety into the RCZ template, too with the 07 model getting exceptional and safe road-holding, plus equipment borrowed from the 308 hatchback such as the Lane Departure Warning System and follow- through bi-xenon headlights.

Roll on September, when the road-going RCZ debuts – for it will be interesting to see how much of the concepts interior styling, in particular, has survived the transition to commercial proposition.

Peugeot has the last word on the new name: “The choice, RCZ, symbolises the car’s special and unique position within the Peugoet range, as it is the first car which does not use the usual zero or double zero numbering system.”