Sydney show: Peugeot celebrates with special RCZ

PEUGEOT used the opening of the Australian International Motor Show today to highlight the historic French marque’s 200th anniversary and to reveal a sporty special-edition RCZ coupe to commemorate the milestone.

Priced from $62,990 (plus on-road costs), the RCZ 200th Anniversary model is positioned $8000 upstream of the flagship 2.0L HDi M turbo-diesel model upon which it is based, but adds a number of performance-flavoured features.

These include a stylised front grille, 19-inch ‘Sportilege’ matt-black alloy wheels, carbon-fibre exterior mirror casings, carbon-fibre roof (in a gloss finish), painted brake callipers, premium metallic paint, 200th Anniversary insignia and a certificate of authenticity.

From top: Peugeot 908 HDi FAP racecar, Peugeot 3008 Redex Tribute, Peugeot 508.

Peugeot also throws in a set of specific RCZ carbon-fibre luggage.

Launched in Australia last month, the striking new 2+2 RCZ range includes a choice of two 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines and a 2.0-litre HDi turbo-diesel.

The diesel produces 120kW at 3750rpm and 340Nm from 2000-3000rpm. Paired with a six-speed manual gearbox – the sole transmission choice for the diesel – it offers 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.2 seconds and combined average fuel economy of 5.3L/100km.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia general manager Ken Thomas and Automobiles Peugeot director of marketing and communication Marc Bocque presented the special-edition RCZ in Sydney, along with the awesome 2009 Le Mans-winning twin-turbocharged V12 diesel 908 HDi FAP racecar.

“The endurance achievements made by this vehicle represent the future for Peugeot HDi technology,” Mr Thomas said.

“With every lap, with every kilometre, we learn more about the way our engines perform. This is translated into innovative technology – which you see on Peugeots today.”

The 3008 crossover used in the 8500km around-Australia Redex Tribute in July, which was also held to celebrate Peugeot’s 200th anniversary (as well as to mark the company’s victory in the 1953 Redex Trial), was also shown in Sydney today.

Mr Bocque later gave a presentation to media, outlining Peugeot’s plans to develop and bring to market 14 new models worldwide between 2010 and 2012, and to move from tenth to seventh in the global ranking of car brands over that period.

Key technologies the company will rely on include micro hybrids (with idle-stop and regenerative braking technology), full hybrids (including plug-in) and electric vehicles.

While there is doubt over whether Peugeot will launch its rebadged version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV EV in Australia – the i0n – following its European launch before the end of this year, the company is planning to introduce its e-HDi micro hybrid technology in Australia – with the 508 medium-sized sedan, due to be launched at the Melbourne motor show in July next year, the key vehicle highlighted by Mr Bocque – as well as full hybrid technology.

As reported previously by GoAuto, Peugeot has confirmed that a diesel-electric hybrid version of the 3008 will become the brand’s first hybrid model in Australia in 2012.