Peugeot RCZ

The Peugeot RCZ is a coupé manufactured by the French car company Peugeot. It was launched in April 2010 and is available in almost 80 countries as of 2013 (except the US). It was officially introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2009 and was initially announced as the 308 RCZ concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt show. It is assembled by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Magna International. Petrol engines are based on Prince platform while diesel is part of the HDi project. RCZ was developed under code name "T75".

The Peugeot RCZ got many international awards like five successive times ' Best Sports Car'  by Diesel Car magazine or the Top Gear ' 2010 Coupe of the Year award'.

The 30,000th RCZ came off the assembly line on June 21, 2011. The 50,000th RCZ was built on 14 February 2013 and was painted in Moroccan Red, a new red on the facelifted vehicle.

After a production period of almost six years, the last Peugeot RCZ rolled off the assembly line in the Magna Steyr Graz plant at September 18, 2015.

History
The RCZ was originally planned as a simple concept car but it received critical acclaim, capturing the imagination of the public and professionals. Peugeot decided to take the leap from concept to actual car and began production. The car's lines and style have remained very close to the original concept so as not to disappoint public opinion, however a series of changes were made to the central dual exhaust system which was replaced by a dual exhaust to the left of the rear bumper. The RCZ has double-bubble roof inspired by Zagato.

Specifications
The RCZ is 4.287 m (168.8 in) long, 1.845 m (72.6 in) wide and 1.359 m (53.5 in) in height and a wheelbase of 2.612 m (102.8 in).

Equipment
The RCZ can be specified including features such as electric heated and adjustable seating with driver's memory, leather seats and dashboard and hill assist function. Options include 19-inch alloy wheels and a JBL sound system. An Elan or Sportif Kit option pack can be selected to change the colour finish of the roof, door mirrors and front grille.

RCZ Hybrid4 Concept
The RCZ Hybrid4 concept was announced with a 2.0 l HDi FAP 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp) engine and a 27 kW (37 PS; 36 hp) electric motor connected to a 6-speed electronically controlled gearbox. The predicted fuel consumption was 3.7 litres per 100 kilometres (76 mpg-imp; 64 mpg-US) in mixed cycle, emitting 95 g/km of CO2.

RCZ R
In November 2012, Peugeot announced their intention of building a more powerful, performance oriented RCZ. In July 2013, the first official pictures of the car were released. The RCZ R will have a turbocharged 1.6l engine capable of producing 270 bhp (making it the most powerful engine of this displacement in any production car) and 330NM of torque, allowing it a 0-62 time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph. It will also feature uprated 380mm Alcon brakes and suspension, a significantly reduced curb weight and a Torsen front differential, like that found on the mk2 Ford Focus RS, to reduce the inevitable torque steer faced by a front-wheel-drive car with this level of power output. The RCZ R went on sale in January 2014 at £31,995.

Special editions
The RCZ Allure is a special edition of the 1.6 THP156 with 6-speed Tiptronic transmission and 18-inch wheels.

The Asphalt is limited edition (500 units) version of the RCZ. It includes 19-inch black and silver alloy wheels, black leather sport seats.

The RCZ Brownstone is a limited edition available exclusively in Germany in metallic brown paint with silver racing strips. Inside, the special version is also in brown, with Cohiba leather and Alcantara trim.

The RCZ Magnetic is available exclusively in Britain, with production limited to 170 units. Models are available in pearlescent black with Flame Red leather sports seats or white with black leather sports seats, with matte black roof arches and a black grille, brake calipers and door mirrors. They also feature a soft touch leather sports steering wheel and gearshift paddles.

Reception and awards
The Peugeot RCZ has been well received, gaining the Top Gear ' 2010 Coupe of the Year award' , three times in a row the Auto Express ' Best Coupé of the Year' , the Auto Express readers ' Special Design Award 2010' and the ' Best of the Best'  Red Dot Award for its design. From 2010 to 2014, the Peugeot RCZ has been awarded five successive times ' Best Sports Car' by Diesel Car magazine,beating off strong opposition from the Mercedes-Benz SLK and others to retain this title undefeated. According to Ian Robertson, editor of DieselCar : 'The Peugeot RCZ offers a rewarding driving experience, agile handling and a well sorted ride, and frugal diesel power. It really is the icing on the cake for the sexily styled sports coupé'.

The Peugeot RCZ has been cited as a return to form for Peugeot's lines of higher performance vehicles. Autocar magazine described the Peugeot RCZ R as 'Things look pretty good when you compare it to its rivals, too. The Audi TT is dull to drive and quite aged now, while the Mini Coupé JCW 1.6 is nowhere near as finessed as the Peugeot.'.

Motorsport
A modified version of the RCZ is used in the Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup Italy one make race. The car used is known as the RCZ Peugeot Sport, which features an increased power output from 200 to 250 bhp, uprated brakes and an adjustable rear spoiler amongst standard motorsport preparations such as weight reduction and a roll cage. Racing versions of the RCZ have also competed successfully in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, claiming class victories with diesel based variants in 2010 and 2011 and with the RCZ Peugeot Sport in 2012.