It's been 25 years since Peugeot last produced a car worthy of any mention. Though I was a little too late for the 250 GTI era, older folks around me still praise that little hatch for its incredible lateral performance. Then going on to lament about Peugeot's lack of a decent performance car ever since.
Well, since the release of the RCZ, faith has been restored in the French manufacturer to reclaim their former glory days of raising pulses again. That however wasn't the case with the automatic version of the RCZ we tested a couple of months ago.
It was almost heart wrenching to learn that despite the car's gorgeous body panels, the handling department wasn't what you would've expected. Steering feel was nearly non-existent even though one could point the car accurately towards the apex. We chalked that up to it being the lesser variant with its reduced horsepower and automatic gearbox.
Well, since the release of the RCZ, faith has been restored in the French manufacturer to reclaim their former glory days of raising pulses again. That however wasn't the case with the automatic version of the RCZ we tested a couple of months ago.
It was almost heart wrenching to learn that despite the car's gorgeous body panels, the handling department wasn't what you would've expected. Steering feel was nearly non-existent even though one could point the car accurately towards the apex. We chalked that up to it being the lesser variant with its reduced horsepower and automatic gearbox.
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Now with the latest 200 THP variant in our midst mated with a more engaging six-speed manual gearbox, we have high hopes for the RCZ again.
Exterior
It might seem exaggerated, but the first time my eyes were met the lusty lines of the RCZ, it stirred the same emotions I get when I'm faced with pictures of Ferrari's most (some might beg to differ) coveted machine, the iconic 1962 250 GTO.
While the 250 GTO is understandably held to higher regard for its hand beaten aluminium body, the RCZ embodies the essence of that old world charm that the 250 GTO possesses in spades.
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To see the same unbroken curves of the 250 GTO reproduced on the RCZ would cause any grown man to get a little weak in the knees. The sexy Pug's design takes a moral high ground of gender neutrality by incorporating a healthy mix of effeminate and masculine character in its design.
The front end is no less inspired by the 308 models but the designers have gone on to give it a slight nip tuck by lowering and widening the front fascia till they ended up with a face appropriate for the firm's first attempt at a sports coupe in awhile.
While the top half of the fascia brims with elegant lines that converge on that genetic snout, the bottom half centres on that menacingly large intake that threatens to hoover up anything in its path.
Of course the main point of this car is its sex appeal which is in abundance. A look at the bulbous, curvaceous glass roof conjures up images of…well I'll leave that to your well inspired imaginations. Think: Victoria's Secret.
Kinky references aside, an elaborate glass roof like the one adorned here is usually only found on concept cars for obvious reasons. As I'm told, this roof is impossibly hard to accomplish and it's no small wonder why the roof is produced from the same factory that makes the Bugatti Veyron. On this 200 THP version, the RCZ gets a carbon fibre roof laminate to differentiate it from the normal 156 THP version.
The front end is no less inspired by the 308 models but the designers have gone on to give it a slight nip tuck by lowering and widening the front fascia till they ended up with a face appropriate for the firm's first attempt at a sports coupe in awhile.
While the top half of the fascia brims with elegant lines that converge on that genetic snout, the bottom half centres on that menacingly large intake that threatens to hoover up anything in its path.
Of course the main point of this car is its sex appeal which is in abundance. A look at the bulbous, curvaceous glass roof conjures up images of…well I'll leave that to your well inspired imaginations. Think: Victoria's Secret.
Kinky references aside, an elaborate glass roof like the one adorned here is usually only found on concept cars for obvious reasons. As I'm told, this roof is impossibly hard to accomplish and it's no small wonder why the roof is produced from the same factory that makes the Bugatti Veyron. On this 200 THP version, the RCZ gets a carbon fibre roof laminate to differentiate it from the normal 156 THP version.
The RCZ shares its masculine appeal with cars like the Cayman S and TT with the same flared wheel arches that give it a rock solid stance. The narrow 'waist' between the front and rear wheel arches provides a line of gender neutrality by blurring the exaggerated lines of the rear with the elegant flowing lines from the waist. Creating the illusion of the perfect figure.
Such powerful flared arches require a little more alloy to fill the generous void and in the 200 THP version, Peugeot have done just that. The car's elegant Dolphin Blue exterior is complimented with gorgeous 19 inch gunmetal alloys to complete the exterior art.
Interior
Once you've collected yourself enough to peel your eyes away from the seductive exterior, you'll find that on the inside things are a little less dramatic. Both versions of the RCZ share identical interiors save for the manual gearshift where the automatic should be. Keen observers would notice the familiar dashboard and switches that are transplanted from the 308CC.
When you're settled into the driver's seat, it strikes you immediately how comfortable and supportive the seats actually are though they might not look it. They actually hold your bum well when you're in a bit of exuberant cornering.
While the seats are faultless, the steering wheel fitted here does seem a little too chunky for what is touted to be Peugeot's latest performance model. Chunkiness aside, the wheel is grippy and highly adjustable to avail the most perfect driving position possible.
Such powerful flared arches require a little more alloy to fill the generous void and in the 200 THP version, Peugeot have done just that. The car's elegant Dolphin Blue exterior is complimented with gorgeous 19 inch gunmetal alloys to complete the exterior art.
Interior
Once you've collected yourself enough to peel your eyes away from the seductive exterior, you'll find that on the inside things are a little less dramatic. Both versions of the RCZ share identical interiors save for the manual gearshift where the automatic should be. Keen observers would notice the familiar dashboard and switches that are transplanted from the 308CC.
When you're settled into the driver's seat, it strikes you immediately how comfortable and supportive the seats actually are though they might not look it. They actually hold your bum well when you're in a bit of exuberant cornering.
While the seats are faultless, the steering wheel fitted here does seem a little too chunky for what is touted to be Peugeot's latest performance model. Chunkiness aside, the wheel is grippy and highly adjustable to avail the most perfect driving position possible.
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Though the dashboard is mostly inherited from the 308CC, Peugeot has tried to up the premium feel by having it entirely wrapped in leather. Instead of spoiling the mood of the interior with a digital clock, the RCZ gets a classic looking analog timepiece on the centre dashboard.
Despite the RCZ being marketed as a 2+2 coupe, the term '+2' seems to have been thrown around a little too loosely here. The rear seats seem most appropriate for either a contortionist or a small monkey.
Putting either a human being or a family pet back here would be a gross violation of human rights. That's unless the human being in question happens to be 'backstabbing John' whom you've so kindly invited along for a threesome lunch.
Surprisingly, the French coupe gets a rather decently sized boot that's spacious enough to swallow 390 litres in volume. If that's not enough, a little red tab in the boot folds the rear seats down to extend your cargo carrying capacity further when needed.
The Drive
The 200 THP RCZ draws its power from the same BMW co-developed unit as its lesser sibling though power has been uprated from 156bhp to 200bhp. Besides the change in horsepower, the range topping RCZ gets a slightly stiffer suspension setup compared to the 156 THP model. In addition, the car also receives a thicker anti-roll bar to enable better cornering prowess.
Despite the RCZ being marketed as a 2+2 coupe, the term '+2' seems to have been thrown around a little too loosely here. The rear seats seem most appropriate for either a contortionist or a small monkey.
Putting either a human being or a family pet back here would be a gross violation of human rights. That's unless the human being in question happens to be 'backstabbing John' whom you've so kindly invited along for a threesome lunch.
Surprisingly, the French coupe gets a rather decently sized boot that's spacious enough to swallow 390 litres in volume. If that's not enough, a little red tab in the boot folds the rear seats down to extend your cargo carrying capacity further when needed.
The Drive
The 200 THP RCZ draws its power from the same BMW co-developed unit as its lesser sibling though power has been uprated from 156bhp to 200bhp. Besides the change in horsepower, the range topping RCZ gets a slightly stiffer suspension setup compared to the 156 THP model. In addition, the car also receives a thicker anti-roll bar to enable better cornering prowess.
Of course the main attraction for enthusiast drivers is the six-speed manual box that lets you do some DIY cog shifting as and when you see fit. The gearbox here gets shorter gear ratios than in the automatic to allow better use of the engine's 200 ponies.
On acceleration one can immediately feel the difference of those additional 44 ponies under the hood. The Pug is now more willing to dart forward once the right gear is selected.
With the slightly different suspension setup, the RCZ feels sharper round the corners though despite Peugeot's best efforts, it still falls short of its competitors like the Audi TT. While the steering is sharp, it continues to lack feel and seems overservoed.
Ride comfort hasn't changed much from the less powerful RCZ despite the stiffer suspension.
Conclusion
Despite the addition of the manual gearbox, the RCZ still doesn't feel as well sorted or as engaging as its German rivals. It's not because the French coupe is less capable but perhaps if it were priced slightly lower, it might start to make better sense.
That aside, the Peugeot does have the German trounced on looks alone…
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
On acceleration one can immediately feel the difference of those additional 44 ponies under the hood. The Pug is now more willing to dart forward once the right gear is selected.
With the slightly different suspension setup, the RCZ feels sharper round the corners though despite Peugeot's best efforts, it still falls short of its competitors like the Audi TT. While the steering is sharp, it continues to lack feel and seems overservoed.
Ride comfort hasn't changed much from the less powerful RCZ despite the stiffer suspension.
Conclusion
Despite the addition of the manual gearbox, the RCZ still doesn't feel as well sorted or as engaging as its German rivals. It's not because the French coupe is less capable but perhaps if it were priced slightly lower, it might start to make better sense.
That aside, the Peugeot does have the German trounced on looks alone…
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
