AT the Peugeot stand of the Johannesburg International Motor Show,
the RCZ-R is the centre of attention.
The newcomer was unveiled at the expo and goes on sale next year.
When I reviewed the 2011 model, I did not just praise the handling of
the front-wheel drive car, but thus enthused: “With the tyres placed as far apart as
the corners allow, and the suspension seemingly designed at the same time God
did the hummingbird, this Peugeot just soaks up the ugliest bumps, and
instinctively noses out the right line through the apex.
“Take the Pug off a straight line to hurl it into corners and your
smile will get as loopy as the road.”
It seems things will only get better when Peugeot launches the new
RCZ.
They said it is their most powerful standard production car to
date, with “astounding specific power and power-to-weight ratio
statistics”.
The 1,6-litre four-cylinder engine employs high-pressure turbo
technology to hoist maximum power output to an astounding 199 kW. The
accompanying torque peaks at 330 Nm.
With just 1 280 kg to propel, the turbo engine slingshots the RCZ-R
from rest to 100 km/h in 5,9 seconds, while top speed remains limited to
250 km/h. It will cover the quarter-mile dash in 14,2 seconds. Peugeot said the
lower ride height, special 19-inch alloy wheels with an aerodynamic design to
assist with brake cooling, as well as a pronounced rear diffuser “combines the
striking, curved silhouette of the original RCZ with more pronounced, visual
muscle”.
A Torsen limited-slip differential allows the car to make better,
more efficient use of the power without the vagaries of torque steer or
mid-corner understeer. The all-disc braking system has also been upgraded to
cope with the engine’s extra urge, including the fitment of four-pot callipers
in front.
Peugeot’s general manager of public relations Toni Herbst said the
pricing and local equipment specs will be announced closer to the official
launch of the RCZ-R during the first half of 2014. Expect a waiting list. This
is a connoisseurs’ two-seater.
