On sale from May, starting from £19,593

• Introduced in the year of Peugeot’s 200th anniversary, the RCZ is the first of a new parallel series of niche models to be offered alongside the mainstream products.

• This 'Hors Series' is the Peugeot equivalent of the DS strategy from Citroen. Aiming to be leaders in style and design, these cars will have strong personalities and adopt a different naming strategy from the standard Peugeot line-up.

• The exterior design of the RCZ is impossible to distinguish from the design concept first seen in 2007. The twin bubble rear screen has also made it to the production car. Sporty and elegant, with more than a nod to the iconic Audi TT, this car is the first Peugeot for some time to have a ‘wow factor’.

• The interior is similarly impressive, and build quality is better than many would expect. Roomy for a coupe, the rear seats are strictly for those with smaller frames, but a reasonable capacity boot ensures a decent level of functionality.

• Two 1.6 turbo-charged petrol engines (156bhp and 200bhp) as well as a 163bhp diesel are available. All have a rorty tuned exhaust note, but the driving characteristics of all three are subtly different. Priced at below £20,000 with reasonable performance and emissions/fuel consumption figures, the 156THP model is the best package.

• Two trim levels are offered: Sport has all of the key items that you would expect, whilst the GT adds leather trim, larger wheels and more comfort features, but the £2,300 premium seems a little steep. The interior sport kit which features a smaller steering wheel and smaller gear lever (standard on 200bhp cars) is a must.


Verdict – The RCZ is a real head-turner that should act as a halo model for the brand. The success of the Hors Series strategy will depend on the other models that will sold under this banner. The sporty looks are matched by the handling, but still not a match for the TT that it hopes to emulate. However, the RCZ is the best reason for buyers to head to a Peugeot dealer for some time.

JK - March 2010