Road Test: Peugeot RCZ GT THP 200

Nov 4 2011

PEUGEOT has a long history of tagging its models numerically – 207, 308, etc.

However, just like Patrick McGoohan in the cult sixties TV show The Prisoner, the stylish RCZ is definitely not a number!

This sleek little motor stands out not only in the Peugeot range but in the sports coupe market generally and, accordingly, the normal naming convention has been shunned.

Okay, they still haven’t come up with a proper moniker but at least the RCZ is marked out as something special, which it is.

Peugeot have come up with a dynamic looking, fun to drive motor that doesn’t break the bank to buy or run.

Not entirely dissimilar in appearance to one of the cars it is most likely to be pitched against, the Audi TT, the RCZ, however, boasts some distinctive and appealing styling touches.

The slick aluminium roof arches and striking ‘double bubble’ roof, which continues into the rear window, are touches that lend the RCZ a strong individuality while a low slung stance and sweeping profile coupled with the flared haunches and double sports exhaust pipes give a real impression of power.

And inside this GT model is just as sexy as it looks from the outside with a stylish full-leather interior, top end materials everywhere and a sporty analogue clock sat in the middle of the dash.

But while it’s OK to look the part a sports coupe has to deliver on the road – and this 200bhp version doesn’t disappoint. The 1.6 litre diesel power pack will get you from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and is capable of 146mph.

But the solid chassis and, stability control as standard and a boot mounted spoiler that can be deployed from a button by the hand-brake, you can throw the RCZ around safe in the knowledge that it’ll stay glued to the tarmac.

The sports suspension means that the ride is firm and you will feel some of the bumps in the road.

That’s kind of the point with a sports car though, you want to know you’re driving it and you certainly do here thanks to some good responsive steering and a compact six-speed gearbox.