Paris show: Peugeot confirms 194kW RCZ R

PEUGEOT has confirmed next year’s facelifted RCZ coupe will gain a hot 194kW variant based on the RCZ R concept that will be displayed at the Paris motor show later this month.

The planned RCZ flagship is set become the most powerful production Peugeot in history, although the V8 diesel-electric hybrid Onyx supercar that also will be displayed at the Paris extravaganza might gazump it, should it get the production green light.

The facelifted RCZ – which has been confirmed for Australian arrival in March – will be publicly unveiled in Peugeot’s home town on September 27 alongside the RCZ R.

The new car adopts Peugeot’s latest slimmer-grilled corporate face as previewed by the SR1 sports concept at Geneva in 2010.

Hot R variants are scheduled for introduction at the end of next year with more aggressive exterior styling hinting at the powered-up 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, which will have among the highest specific outputs for a production engine at 119kW a litre.

Despite its wick being turned up so high, the RCZ R is claimed to emit just 155 grams of CO2 per kilometre – bettering the official Australian 159g/km achieved by the current car’s most powerful 147kW variant – while a Torsen limited-slip differential will help reducing tyre smoke emissions.

Beneath the facelifted RCZ’s new grille is a curved air intake bracketed by LED daytime running lights styled to look like claws, and is said to give the car more “synergy” between its front and rear styling.

The re-shaped headlights will be available with an aluminium background for the standard halogen units or premium beam-bending Xenon versions with titanium-look background.

Apart from the RCZ R, the three existing petrol and diesel engines will be carried over, comprising 147kW/275Nm and 115kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol units and a 120kW/240Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Inside, the gear shifter surround is lacquered black, and higher spec GT variants get leather door trims and aluminium inserts for the dashboard and centre console.

Underfloor storage in the boot adds an extra 30 litres of space to the existing 384 litres – probably due to the absence of a spare wheel.

Standard equipment upgrades will include an acoustic windscreen, automatic headlights and wipers, a self-dimming interior mirror, while the audio and satellite navigation systems are also due for a boost with Bluetooth audio streaming and USB/Auxiliary inputs.

Peugeot will increase the personalisation options available on the facelifted RCZ including black grille bars to replace the silver items and matte-black roof arches, which can be grouped into a Black Pack also comprising black brake callipers and door mirrors.

Matte or satin finish carbon roof options will be available, along with two new alloy wheel designs in 18-inch and 19-inch sizes and three new sets of bodywork decals including a wide gloss black central stripe, grey and red sill stripes with RCZ branding and a silver-grey offset stripe.

A Sports option pack for 115kW petrol variants comprises equipment that is standard with the 147kW version, including a smaller sports steering wheel, short-throw manual shifter and a system that pipes the engine note into the cabin.

Two new exterior paint finishes, Bistre brown and Moroccan red, will also be added across the range.

With products like the RCZ R and Onyx hybrid supercar concepts on Peugeot’s Paris show stand, the French company is putting on a brave face while loss-making parent company PSA endures financial woes that will result around 8000 jobs cuts in France and factory closures.

RCZ sales have dropped off by 40.4 per cent this year, with 136 finding homes to the end of August compared with 228 for the same period in 2011.

Peugeot shifts on average 23 RCZs a month and 592 units have been sold in Australia since deliveries began in July 2010