More than just a concept car which has become a reality, the Peugeot RCZ marks a new chapter in the history of Peugeot "lifestyle vehicles". Its expressive and innovative styling, its luxurious interior, its efficient and environmentally- friendly engines and the driving enjoyment they create will project the Marque into a future which promises to be more exciting than ever.
Drawing inspiration from the passion and know-how of its designers and engineers, Peugeot instills its brand values in every vehicle it manufactures. Sometimes however, freed from constraints and fired by creativity, Peugeot takes a bold new step and introduces "lifestyle" vehicles that are truly exceptional. The latter always arouses emotion, inspiring admiration among motoring enthusiasts and immense pride on the part of their makers.
Certain concept cars exhibited at international motor shows also follow this example. Sometimes their power of attraction is so great that the desire to see them take to the road becomes unstoppable.
As a result in September 2007, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Peugeot unveiled an exercise in style that left no observer unmoved: the Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept car.
INTERIOR EMOTION
The passenger compartment of the Peugeot RCZ instantly immerses the driver in a subtly elitist ambience echoing the world of motorsport.
“Getting into” the vehicle, the driver discovers an ergonomic driving position, ideal for enjoying the road-holding qualities of the Peugeot RCZ: the wraparound seats with their integral head restraints fit like a glove around the front occupants, and all controls are easily within reach of the driver’s hands.
The fluid and streamlined design of the fascia panel follows the steeply inclined style that has won many plaudits in the manufacturer’s latest models, and here fits perfectly into the distinctive world of this coupé.
The use of high quality materials combines with the elegant contours to enhance the refined overall atmosphere.
Beneath the eye line of the driver, mirroring the clock located in the centre of the fascia panel, the instrument panel dials are contained in metal cases, with photo-etched, back-lit markings.
The fascia panel is covered entirely with an innovative soft feel material, hi-tech in appearance and very elegant. The customer can also choose from several different colours, including a Nappa integral leather trim (a luxurious thick leather with a particularly fine, smooth grain).
This interior, its elegance enhanced by the range of hi-tech equipment it can accommodate (new WIP Com 3D multimedia system, JBL™ Hi-fisystem, USB connector on all versions, etc), is also versatile, allowing users to adapt to any situation.
For example, for a long weekend, the boot offers a capacity of 384 litres (321 dm3 according to the VDA standard) added to which are storage spaces under the floor. There is potential to increase this capacity further by folding the rear seat backs down, which gives a maximum boot volume of 760 litres (639 dm3 VDA).
Finally, it offers two occasional seats, fully sculpted and perfectly usable, especially since the design of the roof with its double bubble offers extra headroom to these occasional rear passengers.
STYLISTIC EMOTION
Sculptural, dynamic and elegant, the style of the Peugeot RCZ offers new harmonious and vibrant proportions based on a compact and original three-compartment coupé architecture.
The "double bubble" of the roof and rear windscreen is not only a remarkable feat of engineering, but also the stylistic signature of a car in which every detail evokes an overwhelming sense of quality and expressiveness. The front windscreen, black roof and dark-tinted rear windscreen ensure a visual continuity strikingly set off by two aluminium roof arches. From the side, its unique profile creates an original continuity between the plunging design of the front and the flowing lines of the rear of the car.
The front feline look, a characteristic of the Manufacturer, the soft contours of the wings and the large diameter wheels, the spoiler and ruby-red LED rear lights with their crystal look create a general appearance that combines sensuality and power, technology and distinction.
Lastly, the vehicle's proportions (1.36 m high) and the beautifully designed lines of the body with its double bubble roof, optimises air flow to create superb aerodynamics. The active rear spoiler also contributes to the car's aerodynamic efficiency: it can be deployed in two positions according to the speed of the car, to ensure an ideal balance between road holding and fuel consumption.
In order to keep pace with the segment, the RCZ will be available with three powertrains. Those wanting to blend performance with fuel economy will likely opt for the RCZ’ 163 horsepower, 251 lb-ft or torque 2.0L HDI diesel, rated at 52.3mpg. Two 1.6L gas motors will also be available, one producing 156 horsepower and a range-topper with 200 horsepower. Thanks to manual and automatic six-speed transmissions, both gas-powered cars should return about 40 mpg on the European cycle.
Although the RCZ is technically a 2+2, its rear seats are most apt for small children or extra cargo space.
PSA Peugeot Citroen is realigning itself. While Citroen is also going upmarket with models like the DS-line, Peugeot is keeping the harder tab on the highest sporting side of things such as Le Mans and of course the RCZ.
MAXIMUM SAFETY
In addition to primary safety assured by the excellent road holding, secondary safety, which benefits from a particularly optimised structure and efficient means of restraint, also includes an active bonnet which “pops-up” due to a pyrotechnic triggering system and limits the degree of injury a pedestrian is likely to suffer in the event of a collision.
In terms of tertiary safety, Peugeot will be deploying in 2010 at no extra cost throughout the Peugeot RCZ range – a world first – a range of call services including Peugeot Assistance and Peugeot Emergency. The latter, launched in 2003 on Peugeot telematic systems, has already assisted nearly 3,000 people by pinpointing the location of their vehicle in the event of an incident and arranging the dispatch of the appropriate emergency services. In keeping with the Peugeot RCZ philosophy of personalised offers, these services, operational today in eight European countries, will be accessible free of charge and for an unlimited period not only on vehicles equipped with WIP Com 3D, but also with WIP Sound thanks to the adoption of a “localised communication unit” system.
source:www.zulva.com ,www.leftlanenews.com
