2013 Peugeot RCZ and ‘RCZ R Concept’

Official images and details of the 2013 Peugeot RCZ have been revealed ahead of the updated French coupe’s unveiling at the Paris motor show later this month.

The 2013 Peugeot RCZ sports an entirely new front-end design. The ‘smiley face’ grille of the original RCZ makes way for a more modern two level finishing, with the brand’s new signature hexagonal upper grille bordered by a flowing lower intake that incorporates the new LED daytime running lights. The inside corners of the headlights are now rounded and the lenses are tinted to create a darker and a give it a sportier appearance.

PowerTrains-

Firstly there is a diesel option, in which is the 2.0-liter HDi engine that pumps out 163 HP at 3,750 rpm and 340 Nm of torque at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm. With this diesel engine, the RCZ accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 220 km/h (136 mph). In the city, the diesel model consumes 6.8 l/100 km (giving an 34.5 mpg) and on the highway, it consumes 4.5 l/100 km (offering a 52.27 mpg). Combining this, it wholly consumes 5.3 l/100 km (44.4 mpg). This engine comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Second is the base gasoline model which is a 1.6-liter,that produces 156 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque at 1,400 to 4,500 rpm. This engine gets the RCZ to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8 seconds with the 6-speed manual transmission and in 8.4 seconds with a 6-speed automatic. It can reach 217 km/h (135 mph) with the 6-speed manual and 213 km/h (132 mph) with the automatic transmission. With the manual transmission, this engine is rated at 8.9 l/100 km (26.4 mpg) in the city, 5.1 l/100km (46.1 mpg) on the highway, and 6.4 l/100 km (36.75) mpg combined. When it is equipped with the automatic transmission, the 2013 RCZ is rated at 10.3 l/100 km (22.8 mpg) in the city, 5.5 l/100km (42.8 mpg) on the highway, and 7.3 l/100 km (32.2 mpg) combined.

The top of level engine in the RCZ is the 1.6-liter THP(Thrust Horsepower) “200,” which puts out 200 horsepower to the wheels between 5,500 and 6,800 rpm, and produces 275 Nm of torque between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. This performance model will hit 100 km/h (62mph) in only 7.5 seconds and boasts a 240 km/h (149 mph) top speed. Though it is a high-performance model, it’s fuel economy is rated at 8.8 l/100 km (26.7 mpg) in the city, 5.6 l/100 km (42 mph) on the highway, and 6.7 l/100 km 35.11 mpg) combined. This engine is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Exterior-

On the exterior,the very first change you’ll notice is that they have scrapped of the old bulky front fascia, which is missing in this new model. It comes with a more stylish front-end that features a slightly less wide-open lower grille that has no horizontal louvers on it and a lens on each end to make it look longer than it really is. These lenses boast six LED lights. The upper grille is expanded and boasts a pair of satin silver horizontal bars, which Peugeot says are “shaped like samurai sword blades.”

The new headlights on the RCZ comes standard with halogen bulbs and an aluminum background for reflection. You can also opt for a sportier set of directional Xenon lights with a titanium background for an Extra fee.

The 2013 Peugeot RCZ, sits on a set of 18-inch wheels which are standard, and they are available in classic, two-toned dark grey and diamond, or full spirit grey. You can also opt for a set of 19-inch Sortilege wheels in classic, midnight silver or matte black onyx.
Another upgradation available on the wheel is the 19-inch Solstice, which is available in anthra grey or matte black onyx.

There are a total of eight colors available for the 2013 RCZ and they are: Opal White, Pearlescent White, Black Pearl, Mercury Grey, Haria Grey, Tuanake (Dolphin) Blue, Guaranja Brown (a chic dark brown), and Eritrea Red. The latter two on the list are the new colors.

For added individuality, Peugeot also offers up a slew of customized add-on components for the exterior. You can add on a pair of lacquered black bars on the front fascia, which replaces the two satin silver bars, to give the RCZ’s face a darker appearance. You can also opt for three different colors to grace the arches over the side glass, including sand (standard), aluminum, or the all-new matte black. A new package dubbed as the Black Pack adds in the aforementioned matte black bars and arches, as well as black brake calipers, and black side-view mirrors. You can opt for the latter two black components separately, just like the bars and arches.

Custom body work decals are also available, which includes: a gloss-black central stripe down the vehicle, grey and red lateral stripes on the body sills bearing an “RCZ” cutout, and a silver offset stripe crossing the vehicle. The final customization pieces, sans the earlier-mentioned rim packages, are the two roof options: matte or gloss.

Interior-

Inside,the interior is filled with soft-touch and high-end materials, leaving it with an elegant look and feel.

So in the 2013 Peugeot RCZ, you get choose from a whopping 12 trim levels with enough variations. The gear shifter bezel is now lacquered in black, as opposed to the flat-black plastic from the previous model. You get matching leather door inserts when you choose the Club Leather, Alcantara, or Full Leather interior trim levels. When you choose the Club Leather or Full Leather option, as an add-on also get aluminum inserts that join the dashboard and center console.

Also you can opt for a Sport Pack, which gives you a smaller diameter steering wheel, a short shifter, and the Sound System feature (only on gasoline models).

This Sport Pack is a standard feature on the THP(Thrust Horsepower) “200” model.

Other/Optional Features-

The new 2013 Peugeot RCZ is now fitted as standard, with an acoustic windscreen and a Visibility Pack consisting of automatic wipers, automatic headlamps, electrochromatic interior mirror, guide-me-home lighting and approach lighting on unlocking.

Audio and Sattelite Navigation options on 2013 Peugeot RCZ are enhanced with the availability of Peugeot Connect Navigation (RT6). First it was introduced on 508, now it incorporates:

(1)A large navigation screen of 7″ (WVGA high resolution 800 x 480 pixels) offering a perspective view mode and a European map (stored in the internal memory)
(2) A CD player on the control panel, MP3 is compatible.
(3) A three-tuner radio with two aerials, reception of RDS-TMC (Radio Data System – Traffic Message Channel) traffic info.
(4) A Bluetooth connection for the hands-free telephone function and audio streaming.
(5) A Jack and USB socket in the central armrest.

Another innovation offered on the 2013 Peugeot RCZ, the RT6 system now incorporates the Arkamys software which processes the digital audio signal to recreate a natural sound stage. The quality of the sound no longer suffers from the restrictions of the location of the speakers in the doors, the instruments and voices are more harmoniously positioned in the space, facing the occupants, at windscreen level. This system also provides the option of directing the sound for the driver only or for all the passengers.

Coming soon-

Making great efforts to be at the top of this exclusive, dynamic and sporty range, is the ‘RCZ R Concept’ which is going to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.

The ‘RCZ R Concept’ previews a future version of enhanced sportiness, which will be introduced to the range at the end of 2013.

The Peugeot Sport and PSA Group Development teams are working together to adapt technology originating from the world of motor sport to make a production ready vehicle and once again turn a dream into reality.

It comes with a new 1.6-litre THP(thrust horsepower) 260bhp engine, which will make it the most powerful production model in Peugeot’s history.

A specific power of more than 160bhp/litre, among the highest in the world for a production vehicle, and CO2 emissions of approximately 155g/km, positioning it in a range of new high efficiency segment. Sticking to this engine is, special suspension and wheels combined with a Torsen limited slip differential, which promises dynamic and effective sensations of a very high level.

These models from Peugeot are indeed going to be the show stoppers at the Paris Motor Show which starts this month end, and these cars will definitely be be bagging many awards in their respective segments.