The new Peugeot 309 to replace the 308 could get a name and not the standard number label, according to reports from Auto Bild. Peugeot has already used the 309 label in the past, between 1985 and 1993, for a small sedan on the European market and so is looking to change its approach for the new model.

After the Peugeot RCZ marked a change in naming Peugeot models, reports say that the company could drop the numbers alltogether, and move to more evocative naming procedures such as those used by many European car manufacturers. Citroen also uses a combination of numbers and letters for its model names, meaning there is some doubt as to what it would decide to do if Peugeot should change.

The new Peugeot 308 replacement isn’t expected to appear until 2013 and if it’s a good model, it may be more sensible for Peugeot to keep its current naming system in order to take advantage of the brand’s tradition. The RCZ after all, was a brand new model and while Peugeot is undergoing a slow re-imaging it probably doesn’t want to throw all tradition to the wind.

Source | WCF

....

0 comments

The Peugeot RCZ was to be considered Peugeot’s first example of its new design direction and branding, but it looks like it will undergoing a restyling as early as 2012 as the company looks to the Peugeot SR1 and HR1 concepts for its design inspiration. The new-look Peugeot could appear in two-years’ time at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and could take on the SR1 front. We should see more of the new Peugeot design with the upcoming Peugeot 308 restyling expected to appear at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The RCZ restyling should also include an updated engine range, which is good news, with a top-of-the-range 1.6 THP with 210 hp and a 2.2 HDi with 204 hp. In more good news, we could also see a hybrid RCZ with Hybrid4 all-wheel drive. The engines likely to be used on hybrid models could be the 2.0 HDi with 163 hp and the 1.6 THP with 156 hp. A second generation RCZ is planned for 2015 but it will depend on the success of the current model. With a possible restyling including this improvement in the engine range, there’s no reason why the RCZ shouldn’t have a modest success, and not just as a cheaper Audi TT knock-off.

Source | Caradisiac

....

0 comments

Here’s the hot little Peugeot RCZ in its new Asphalt edition, a blacked-out version of the standard coupé, both inside and out. Just 500 units of the Black Asphalt RCZ will be made and it will appear with a “Noir Telluric” matte black exterior, 19-inch alloy wheels and black leather interior. It will be equipped with the 1.6 THP engine with 200 hp, but availability details across European markets haven’t been released yet.

Source | Autoblog.it

....

0 comments

The Peugeot RCZ and Volkswagen Scirocco may seem like unusual track buddies, but any excuse to take a couple of cars out for a spin, we say. The cars are on a par for curvy looks and the price tag, and while the Peugeot is equipped with a 1.6-litre and the VW with a 1.4, the former has 156 hp and the latter 160. The supercharger helps the lack of ‘litres’ on the Scirocco and so they’re both taken out for a track drive. It’s purely a track time test which is what you want Tiff Nedell for, but if you’re interested in further comparison, check out the video.

....

0 comments

The Peugeot RCZ and Honda CR-Z (they’ve done it on purpose, just to confuse us), are two new arrivals in the coupé segment, perhaps a little left-field in the auto world. While the Peugeot RCZ has previously been accepted as a worthy enough car, it has been a little without a competitor, in this video challenge provided by the Honda CR-Z.

The biggest difference perhaps, is that the Honda is a fully fledged hybrid model, while the Peugeot can be described as environmentally friendly. It can’t have been easy for Honda to balance the hybrid drivetrain with sports driving style, especially on the image front, but it seems that it may have just pulled this off.

The Peugeot, on the other hand, as you may expect, has almost got it made in the coupé stakes, with a shorter shift and more torque. We always suspected that it would be a hit especially on its local market, and while it’s still got a bit of a way to go, it’s definitely a good, lower priced, contender in the coupé segment.

....

0 comments

Our reader Mav3rick was disappointed to see there was no Peugeot RCZ on the nominees list of the 2011 European Car of the Year. We expect there’s probably a rule to explain its absence from the list, remembering that the criteria for the Euroepan car of the year is the following:

Many candidates for Car of the Year 2011 award are already on sale in different European markets or will be in a few weeks, and therefore they meet the eligibility criteria. The contenders, that could be 35 or so in the list to be officially issued in September, must be new models available in at least five European countries at the time of voting, with foreseeable minimum sales of 5,000 per year.

So unless the Peugeot RCZ has no plans to reach 5,000 units a year in sales or isn’t available in five different countries, its omission seems a strange choice. But leaving aside the ‘rules’ so to speak, are there any other recent models you think missed out but which deserved a spot?

....

0 comments

Here are all the pics of the Peugeot RCZ Nurburgring model produced for the 24-hour endurance race, which will take place from May 15 to 16 at the German track. This competition Peugeot RCZ has a powered-up version of the 2.0 HDi, with 163 hp increased to 200. Two models of the RCZ will race, one by a French team and one by German team. See the hotted-up version in the pics below.

Continue reading: Peugeot RCZ 24 hours Nurburgring pics

....

0 comments

The Peugeot RCZ configurator is now online so we can have a play with the various RCZ options and extras. We like it in white. The RCZ configurator allows you to choose the engine you want, external and internal colours and finishes, and all the extras like alloy wheels, brake calipers and rear vision mirrors.

Going to the RCZ configurator, you are taken through the various steps of the process and at the end you get a little video featuring the combinations you’ve chosen. There’s also an iPhone application for those wanting to personalise their RCZ over the phone. Can anyone say ‘trendy coupe for the French’…?

....

0 comments

This Peugeot RCZ test drive by Autocar takes us through some of the more interesting design features of the 2+2 coupe, including the stunning aluminium arches and double bubble roof, as well as a brief introduction on just what this car means for Peugeot. The RCZ is set to mark the start of a new era for the company, not only as it branches out into new segments, but also as it redefines itself in the market.

Autocar reveals that the RCZ is based on the Peugeot 308, but with a totally revamped suspension system and wider and lower wheelbase, all to give the RCZ a more precise driving feel. This particular model of the Peugeot RCZ is equipped with the 1.6-litre THP petrol engine with 200 hp, which will be available at a later date to the launch model engines: the 1.6-litre with 156 hp and the 2.0-litre HDi with 163 hp.

Unfortunately Autocar says that its a smooth ride, but that the modest performance is not going to ’set your hair on fire’. This is a disappointing revelation for me, as I was hoping that Peugeot had managed to transfer some of its rally performance onto the RCZ to make this a competitive coupe model. On the positive side, though, this is pegged as the only Peugeot this side of the year 2000 that is any fun to drive.

Continue reading: Peugeot RCZ test drive video

....

0 comments

The Peugeot RCZ will appear at the Nurburgring 24 hours with two RCZ models. Peugeot is fitting them with a new aerodynamic kit, but otherwise the vehicle will have the same standard components, or components from the Peugeot Sport range. Celebrating 200 years of Peugeot, this Peugeot RCZ is called 200 Ans and is equipped with the 2.0-litre HDI FAP engine with 200 hp, compared to the 163 hp on the series version.

Peugeot is using the Nurburgring 24 hrs as a chance to do some endurance testing of models based on their series cars - similar to the Lexus LFA and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The 24 hours Nurburgring is turning into an interesting race for these kinds of tests, with the Porsche 911 GT3R Hybrid also participating this year.

Source | Lebuzzauto

....

0 comments

The Peugeot RCZ is the first model in a new sub-branding project for Peugeot, which sees the creation of a new premium brand much like Citroen’s DS label. Another two models are set to become part of the hors-série brand: the Peugeot 508 sedan and a third, unknown model to appear in 2012.

In honour of the announcement, we bring you this Peugeot RCZ gallery showing the official pics of the 2+2 coupé which will compete directly with the Audi TT. As we’ve already said, the RCZ didn’t always make a lot of sense to us, but the French coupé could be hit on its home market and in others where customers are looking for a less expensive but equally performance-oriented coupé.

The RCZ is 429 cm long, 185 cm wide and 136 cm tall with a wheel base of 261 cm. You will find that you actually get some significant boot space, with the standard capacity being 384 litres and 760 litres if you drop the back seats down. The RCZ will be available with a 1.6-litre THP engine with 156 hp and 240 Nm of torque, and a 2.0-litre HDi with 163 hp and 340 Nm. They will both be on offer with a six-speed manual transmission.

Other engine options will follow those available at launch, including another 1.6 THP but with 200 hp and 275 Nm, and the 1.6 THP option with 156 hp will also be available in the future with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Other features include front MacPherson suspension, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels and a customisation program with carbonfibre roof and coloured wheel arches.

Continue reading: Peugeot RCZ new pics: new hors-série sub-brand

....

0 comments

The Peugeot RCZ coupé was to be the new sports coupé focus for Peugeot, on moving out of the hot hatch segment with canning its GTI badge. While that decision has been partially reversed, we still remained skeptical about this new Peugeot coupé love affair. On seeing these RCZ live pics from the 2010 Geneva Motor Show though, we’re just about convinced that it’s not a bad model after all, and not just the Audi TT rip-off it first seemed.

The RCZ is audacious and original, and should definitely appeal to the French market at least, with their own, home grown coupé on the market. This vehicle is for a customer who isn’t afraid to try something new, without giving up a sports drive.

The Peugeot RCZ has already had a limited release with the RCZ Black Yearling model, and the RCZ Limited Edition model. But it’s finally ready for its spring appearance on the market, as the company turns over a new leaf in its brand image. And if the SR1 Concept was to go into production too, we’ll fast become French fans on this blog.

Peugeot RCZ live pics Geneva 2010

Continue reading: Peugeot RCZ live pics from Geneva Motor Show

....

0 comments