Tuesday 31st July 2007

Peugeot Plans a TT Rival

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a TT? NO it's a...Peugeot?!

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Peugeot has sent us details of its stunning new 2+2 coupe concept, the 308 RC Z.

308 RC Z in all its glory

The concept shares most of its underpinnings with the upcoming 308 hatch, although it has been suggested (by most of the people in the office) that the profile bears a striking resemblance to the Audi TT. And aren't those tail lights taken from a 350Z?

They claim the design is ‘streamlined’ for better economy and performance, while also making it look as though it “has been formed from a single block of metal”.

The interior has been liberally coated with leather, chrome and aluminium to give it a more upmarket feel. Unfortunately, the slinky looking bucket seats aren't expected to appear in the production 308 hatch.

Because the RC Z is a 2+2, there is a pair of small seats in the back which fold-flat to give enough room for a mountain bike.

Insert 'nice bum' joke here

The engine is the same 1.6 litre turbo four pot as used in the 207 GTi (and Mini Cooper S), although it has been uprated to 218bhp. There is also an overboost function that raises torque from 206lb ft to 221lb ft.

It’s not a slow car either. Weighing in at 1200kg, the RC Z hits 62mph in 7.0 seconds and will top out at 146mph.

[Hendry]

I posted pics of this yesterday in GG and it got panned!

[Dr_Gonzo]

0-62 in 7 seconds isn't exactly nippy for a 2+2

[A1GOY]

Pretty quick for a Pug, though.

[E4UAN]

I like the roofline, but to be honest the rest of the car does look like it's been bolted together from various spare parts bins. Assuming it is FWD it'll have a tough time competing against a TT, unless they price it nicely.

[Beefmeister]

Build it please, Peugeot, you really need an exciting car like this...

BUT

Please dear God, get rid of that stupid ugly guppy front on it.

Its ugly on your hatchbacks, its ugly on your CC's, and its ugly on the 407 Coupe.

The headlights are fine, just give us a new grille please...

[the fury]

Looks pretty swoopy apart from the BLOODY ENORMOUS WING MIRRORS

[nickfrog]

E4UAN said:

Assuming it is FWD it'll have a tough time competing against a TT, unless they price it nicely.

The TT is essentially a FWD car. Even the Quattro is not exactly a grip/traction king.

[DrGP]

mm. Looks like a Pug mixed with TT and 350z.

Bet they price it around the same level. So you can have 350/TT performance and looks.........with Pug build quality! Audi or Nissan anyone?

[pbarlow0032]

Don't see how the numbers stack up. If it uses the Mini Cooper S engine, but uprated by 40bhp, i'm pretty sure the Mini weighs about 1300kg, so this Pug is 100kg lighter, how does it only do 0-60 in 7 seconds?

Looks nice though, would be interested to see what price they'll pitch this at. On the face of it, it would be better than the new TT 2.0T Fwd, and that starts at £25k.

[Grandmasterbt]

personally i think its nasty!

[Beefmeister]

Thinking about it, is this not just going to be the new 308CC?

Looking at the rear deck it seems that way to me.

Plus I can't really see Pug building a 308 Coupe AND a a 308CC....

[havoc]

Beefmeister said:

Thinking about it, is this not just going to be the new 308CC?

Looking at the rear deck it seems that way to me.

Plus I can't really see Pug building a 308 Coupe AND a a 308CC....

I'll go for that...

[keith2007]

Grandmasterbt said:

personally i think its nasty!

Much like the Audi TT was.
'orrible cars.

[Ed.]

Dr_Gonzo said:

0-62 in 7 seconds isn't exactly nippy for a 2+2

7 seconds with 1200 kgs and 200+ bhp isnt fast either

[sidesauce]

keith2007 said:

Grandmasterbt said:

personally i think its nasty!

Much like the Audi TT was.
'orrible cars.

... says the man who has a Corsa....

[Mr Whippy]

Would be good if it ever makes it through weighing just 1200kg and not having some really naff small wheels fitted that do the 'big' styling no justice (ala, all the new Mondeo's kicking around now with what look like 15's on, look like old Granada's with hubcaps, yuck)

I'd go with the idea it'll be the CC too, and look worse and gain 300kg in weight = slow even with 200bhp.

Dave

[Snoggledog]

Get the doctor quick! I like it

[Dodgey_Rog]

Good old Peugeot, bring out a decent looking car when the market is saturated......

[Mr Whippy]

Arghhh, just spotted those HUGE wing mirrors. Whyyyy? Have them in the A pillar/body union, and make them nice, not sticking out like huge golf club woods from the smooth door line.

Dave

[kambites]

Definitely a CC - no-one would design a car that was that shape at the back otherwise. It looks awful.

7.0 seconds to 60 from 200bhp does seem a bit pathetic really. That's the same as a Golf GTi which is 150kg heavier.