Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot RCZ Coupe

Like an Audi TT, only French. I mean really, if you wanted to distill this post to 6 words, that'd be it.  That's not how automotive journalism works, though, so let's take a look at this latest slinky feline plaything!

First things first: while the RCZ is a striking 2+2 coupe, underneath it's really mostly a Peugeot 308, which is the French firm's bread-and-butter Golf competitor.  Which makes sense, considering the Audi TT is a Golf underneath.  The production version of the RCZ stays faithful to the gorgeous concept car which debuted in late 2008.  That means that the Zagato-style double-bubble roof is still there, the shapely haunches are still there, and it still looks like a concept car with tags on it.

I especially like the up-sweeping belt line past the door shut line; it prevents the RCZ from looking like a current Mitsubishi Eclipse (urgh) from the side.  There are little hints of everything here and there: taillights that look cribbed from the Cayman, offset twin exhaust pipes that are vaguely Mini-esque...  and while that might all sound a bit derivative, I think the end result is absolutely stunning.

Like I mentioned earlier, the RCZ is based on the 308's architecture, but it's not exactly the same.  Static ride height is about 20mm lower, the center of gravity is 40mm lower, and the front and rear track widths are wider by 54mm and 72mm, respectively.  This means that compared to the 308, the RCZ should feel more planted and nimble in the corners, which is what you'd expect of a sports coupe.  It retains the 308's MacPherson strut front suspension setup, and a torsion beam with an anti-roll bar in the rear.

The RCZ's are going to initially be produced by Magna Steyr in Austria, who specialized in producing low-volume cars for large automakers - economies of scale and all that.

At launch, the RCZ will be available with a choice of three engines - two gas and one diesel.  The most powerful is the 1.6 "THP" motor, which is shared in part with the Mini Cooper S.  It's a modern twin-cam 16v motor with direct injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger, and a standard 6-speed manual transmission.  Power output is a healthy 200bhp@5,000rpm, with a torque output of 188lb-ft at a super-low 1,700 rpm.  Additionally, this engine permits "overboost" under certain conditions, which bumps torque output up to 203lb-ft for brief periods of time.

These are especially impressive numbers for a 1.6L gas engine,  considering it meets or exceeds the stringent Euro 5 emissions standards.  Performance is not bad: 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds, but more impressive is the in-gear passing power.  Peugeot quotes an 80-120km/h time of 6.5 seconds in fifth gear. From 1.6L!  Fuel economy with the 200bhp unit will be somewhere near 33 US MPG combined, with low emissions to boot - 165g/km.

The base gas engine is another variation of the 1.6L I4, still DI and turbocharged, with 156bhp@5,800 rpm and 177lb-ft of torque@1,400 rpm.  Fuel mileage is remarkably similar to the higher-output gas engine, at 34.1 US MPG, but this engine is available with manual and automatic transmissions.

Finally, there's a 2.0L diesel available, and honestly it sounds to me like the one to go for.  Power output is slightly higher than the base gas engine - 163bhp@3,750rpm - but it torques out 251lb-ft at only 2,000rpm.  Only available with a six-speed manual, the 2.0L diesel returns impressive economy - 43.6 US MPG combined sounds pretty good to me.

Electronic and safety goodies include standard four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS and defeatable ESP, as well as Hill Assist, which helps people who aren't very good with manual transmissions get started easier on an incline.  Hmm.

The build process of the RCZ allows for a large degree of customization.  You can pick from a multitude of 18 or 19" wheels (why does everyone like to put huge wheels on small cars?  It doesn't help!), a carbon-fibre roof(!) is available, and like the old Saturn Ion, you can pick different colors for the roof "arches" to suit your tastes.  There are also black-lacquered front body panels, available carbon fiber mirror covers, and who knows what else.

It's pretty practical, for a swoopy coupe.  Although Peugeot admits the rear seats are for "occasional" use, they are sculpted and can apparently accommodate adults - although it looks like a lack of a head is a prerequisite for sitting in the back.  With the seats folded flat, the RCZ is pretty capacious: 384L is a lot of space for your junk.

The rest of the interior is pretty much standard 308 fare, but constructed using classier materials - hand stitched leather, etc.  Honestly, it's not bad looking at all.

The RCZ is set to go on sale in Europe during the spring of 2010, and I think that it'll prove to be a home run for the French brand.  In dark times like these, we need sexy cars with turbocharged engines - but we also need them to be reasonably priced, efficient, and useful.  It sounds like the RCZ checks all these boxes, as well as the "Why don't we get this in the USA?" box.  The RCZ's official debut is set for the Frankfurt show this fall, so keep your eyes peeled.