Wednesday 12th September 2012

Peugeot facelifts RCZ...

...and previews 260hp 'R' version

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The Peugeot RCZ finally loses its dated pre-facelift 308-style nose with a new look of its own, thanks to a facelift that will debut at the Paris Motor Show. Even better, Peugeot will also show an ‘RCZ R Concept’ – previewing a 260hp version that’s confirmed to arrive next year.

The RCZ’s new nose has a smaller grille and a bolder lower air intake that runs the full width of the front end. The headlight innards have been subtly reshaped, and have either aluminium or titanium backgrounds. It of course also incorporates LED daytime running lights, hidden behind smoked lenses, which Peugeot says are designed to look a bit like claws.

The rest of the facelifted RCZ, which goes on sale in early 2013 is unchanged: the rear end didn’t need any restyling, and the double bubble roof still looks distinctive. It’s just that the front now blends in better with the rest of it.

Even less has been done inside: the fact Peugeot points out the gear lever surround is now lacquered black tells you everything. For the record, GT models now have door trim pads trimmed with leather inserts, and they also gain a pair of aluminium inserts for the centre console and dash.

What Peugeot is keen to press is a new range of personalisation options. This is all the rage on models like MINI and Citroen DS3: now, Peugeot is offering choices including lacquered black grill bars, three roof arch colours, two carbon roof options, three body decals, 10 alloy wheel designs, two new colours and a smart ‘Black Pack’ exterior pack that does exactly what it says.

A sound symposer is added to the 1.6-litre THP 156 and THP 200 models, amplifying the rort of the engine, and the stereo now has Arkamus digital sound processing. The sat nav system is upgraded to the latest Peugeot Connect RT6 setup, with 7-inch screen and perspective view.

And the most exciting new RCZ of all? The RCZ R Concept, sporting a 260hp 1.6-litre THP that will see it become Peugeot’s most powerful production car ever. The specific output of 160hp/litre is among the highest of any road car in the world, yet Peugeot also reckons it’ll emit 155g/km CO2 and average more than 40mpg.

The matt black and copper livery purposefully ties in with the Onyx supercar also revealed at Paris, with further promise offered by a suitably ‘R’ chassis tune and standard Torsen limited slip differential. It’ll go on sale next year and looks to us like an interesting new entrant into the sports coupe sector. VW Scirocco R, watch out?

[griffdude]

Aaah, that's much better than the 'Ugly Betty' style mouth, looks like it's smiling.

[tinkertaylor]

I like the RCZ a lot...but that facelift is awful..

[MIP1983]

Spoilt a decent looking car, that front bumper makes look like a dribbling mutant. If it was rear wheel drive, I'd find it appealing. It's got the kind of power the GT-86 needs.

[Vocal Minority]

Saying it is worse would be unfair...but I would say it is less good than the first one.

[illmonkey]

If only it wasn't French...

[Big Fat Fatty]

It's better than the first one but still miles from being a good looking car.

[F1GTRUeno]

Taking just the shape and general look of the lights and grille, it kinda reminds me of a DBS.





Horribly ugly though it always was.

EDIT - NVM, was just the thumbnail that reminded me, looks nothing like it at all.

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Wednesday 12th September 11:10

[David87]

Wow, now that's a good facelift.

[C1RVY]

Big Fat Fatty said:

It's better than the first one but still miles from being a good looking car.

Incredible how we all see things so differently isn't it. Whenever I see one on the road, I'm amazed at just how good looking they actually are.

[richb77]

I'm surprised at all the negative comments on here.

I think its really good looking, much better than the TT in my opinion.

Sure I would love 260bhp RWD but the TT is only available in FWD or AWD.

I know its French and not German but if it was my money I would have the RCZ over a TT purely to not be one of the sheeple all falling over themselves to get into the Audi dealerships and forget how to use indicators.

In a line up of dull uninspired cars I think Peugeot have at the very least glanced the nails head with the hammer this time.

[mr2j]

Aren't these about as interesting to drive as a pedalo?

[cuprabob]

I think the facelift is an improvement but it's still the Aldi TT :-)

[AndrewSV]

it would be nicer inside if the steering wheel didn't look so dated

[Shaw Tarse]

I think it looks great, probably better than the Audi TT?
Would I buy one? Probably not.

[Deluded]

Looks much cleaner now. Front end was too fussy before imo.

I like!.. Although one thing that always strikes me about the RCZ is that in real life, its's far too big. In pictures I always image it to be a small car, but they are huge on the road.

[Agoogy]

C1RVY said:

Big Fat Fatty said:

It's better than the first one but still miles from being a good looking car.

Incredible how we all see things so differently isn't it. Whenever I see one on the road, I'm amazed at just how good looking they actually are.

Agreed........ not a HUGE step forward in terms of looks, they've sanitised it, and obviously linked it to the 208 and the future 'upside-down-Aston-face'

[Tuvra]

AndrewSV said:

it would be nicer inside if the steering wheel didn't look so dated

Its not that bad in the flesh, I actually like it.

I think Peugeot would have made more if they made this (and the R model) rather than face lifting though:

[Dog Star]

David87 said:

Wow, now that's a good facelift.

I agree - what's all the rubbishing of it going on? I know one man's meat is another man's poison etc but I'm pretty sure that is looking really nice.

[DanDC5]

260bhp makes this car a lot more interesting all of a sudden.

[Krikkit]

Mmm... That's nice. A facelift that doesn't spoil anything! 260hp? Yes please!