What, you may ask, has Kylie Minogue's well-publicised and exposed derrière got to do with Peugeot's RCZ sports coupe? Not a lot, but what resemblance there is sets the little Pug apart from the opposition. There's a lot about this Peugeot – besides the amply rounded roof line that imitates Ms Minogue lying face down on a beach in the French Riviera – that tickles the emotions.
On price alone the Peugeot RCZ makes sense: the sexiest little sportscar on the planet for under $54,990, (plus on roads and charges) a whopping $9000 under the entry-level price of it's primary rival, Audi's TT, let alone the asking price of the TT quattro that starts at $22,000 more than the Peugeot RCZ. That's not just tickling the emotions, but keeps the wallet fatter.
And, all this before you step inside the cabin. For it's there, after you turn they key, Peugeot RCZ starts to really shine. Our test car was the RCZ M, being M for manual, powered by a 147 kW, 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine. What we also like is the simplicity of what's on offer when it comes to RCZ. The RCZ A – for automatic with 115 kW engine is also $54,990 as is the RCZ Hdi M, a 120 kW, 2.0 turbo diesel.
With it's boots planted firmly close to each corner, low centre of gravity, six speed manual shifter, the double-bubble roof giving `wow' factor, wide, muscular stance for on road presence, the RCZ with the 147 kW engine not only looks the part, but acts it too. It corners like a go kart, yet has a livable, compliant suspension, has a good size boot and is as happy doing the commuter run as it is – in it's element – climbing the twisting, turning hills near any Australia city.The double bubble roof is not unique, with a roof similar, but no where near as attractive, in the Abarth 750 of the late 1950s. But, they are rare. In overall appearance we can see quite a bit of 1960's VW Karmann Ghia, particularly around the rear wheel arches, some Porsche Boxter around the tail and some Audi TT overall. The end result is a striking, turn-heads, machine. At the 2009 International Automobile Festival the RCZ won the `Most Beautiful Car of the Year' award. Peugeot call the RCZ the first of a new breed of Pug – a pleasure car. There are apparently more in the Pug pipeline. As with most compact sports cars the rear pew is just about for show only, and in this case folds down to increase luggage space from a usable 384 litres to a user-friendly 760 litres. If you have adult friends who use the rear seats – they will not remain your friends for long.
With the turbo-powered four cylinder engine 147 kW belting out 275 Nm of torque at just 1700 rpm it propels the RCZ to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. Not blistering, but quick enough to satisfy most needs and all the while sipping just 6.9 litres/100 km. The six speed transmission is beautifully matched to the BMW-sourced engine, and with all that torque on tape you don't spend all day swapping cogs, even around town. While we have talked about the aesthetics of the double bubble, it also adds to the car's aerodynamics pushing airflow down over the rear wheels. To set the car off appropriately RCZ comes with 18 inch alloys.
RCZ has the current who's who of safety gear: ESP with ABS, EBA (emergency brake assist) EDB (electronic brake force distribution), traction control and Hill Assist which prevents the car from rolling backwards. There's two front airbags plus two side airbags installed in the side of the front seats.
Sleek, streamlined, comfy heated Nappa leather seats, functional dash, good vision, dual zone aircon, the RCZ has the same well specced equipment and trim grade across the three models. Standard fare includes cruise control, six speaker audio system with MP3 capable CD player, Bluetooth compatible hands-free and audio streaming, USB connector and jack socket. Simply put the front seat is a good place to be with a sporty flair and touch of class. Other features that drivers will like include rain and light sensors, auto-dipping rear-view mirror, front and rear parking sensors and sports-style aluminium footrest, pedals and door sills.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
Flatten the right foot and the engine will happily and freely rev out to 6000 rpm with an accompanying purposeful note over 4000 rpm that seems right at home in the RCZ. As mentioned this is no straight-line sports, but has genuine credentials when it comes to handling. Cornering can be taken at speed with little body movement with the RCZ clinging to terra firma with precious little indication of understeer. Underpinning RCZ's handling pedigree is the Peugeot `Platform 2' also found on the 308 hatch and touring as well as 308CC and 3008 SUV. This rigid platform results in excellent handling, via the suspension set up developed from other Pug products with McPherson strut front suspension and rear torsion beam. Ride height and centre have been lowered by 20mm and 40mm compared to the 308 hatchback. This is one of those cars that the harder you push and better it seems to get.
VERDICT
There are a few small things not to like, such as the hard-to-get-to release for the rear seat to fold down and the slightly out of line pedals. But, after all, this is a French car and it would not be so without some idiosyncrasies. A serious competitor to Audi TT entry level ... and dare we say it, a better car in a lot of respects.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING*
RCZ 1.6 litre petrol 147 kW six-speed manual $54,990
RCZ 1.6 litre petrol 115 kW Tiptronic six-speed automatic $54,990
RCZ 2.0 litre turbo 120 kW diesel six-speed manual $54,990
(*Does not include dealer delivery or government charges)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: optional
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Stability Control: Standard
Traction Control: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.598 litres
Bore/stroke: 77.0 mm X 85.8 mm
Configuration: in line
Head: DOHC
Maximum Power: 147 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 275 Nm @ 1700 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: front
Manual Transmission: Six speed
Automatic Transmission: Tiptronic six speed
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4287 mm
Wheelbase: 2596 mm
Width: 1845 mm
Height: 1362 mm
Turning Circle: 10.9 metres
Kerb Mass: 1372 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
Towing Ability: 500 kg (kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: McPherson strut
Rear Suspension: Torsion bar
Front Brakes: Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.5 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: RON95
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.9 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5 /10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5 /10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ 100,000 km |
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