| New Concept Car | Frankfurt Motor Show | Peugeot 308 RC Z |
Many a Peugeot fan will be delighted the French firm is bringing a concept with such sporting pretensions to
Frankfurt; it's what Peugeot did so well in the '80s and '90s (build very good sporty drivers' cars) - rumour is that the RC Z is likely to be put into production.
Genuinely exciting to look at, the 308 RC Z evokes a feel of menace even through the official pictures we've been handed by Peugeot. The concept is clearly reminiscent of the
Audi TT, but outguns the current model for sheer wow factor and we'd stick our neck out and say that on first impressions it looks every bit as good as the
Cayman S.
The 2+2 coupé is powered by a derivative of the 1.6-litre THP turbocharged engine found in the
MINI Cooper S and Peugeot 207 GTi, but delivers 218bhp and 206lb.ft of torque, with 221lb.ft available on temporary overboost. This more powerful version of the engine produced jointly by BMW and the PSA Group will be fitted to the MINI Cooper Works early next year.
Because it's based on the
new Peugeot 308 - which also debuts at the Frankfurt show - the RC Z shares similar dimensions, but is a little wider (due to increased track) and somewhat lower. Where it's very different, however, is in the detail; much of the front suspension is made from aluminium (less unsprung weight should definitely sharpen the handling), and carbon-fibre parts are used throughout - we'd anticipate the concept weighing at least 100kg less than its hatchback cousin. Peugeot quotes a modest 0-60mph effort of seven seconds, though we suspect this is a cautious estimate. An all new six-speed manual gearbox will transmit the extra grunt.
Despite the additional power, Peugeot claims the concept will deliver improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions than the THP-powered 308 and smaller 207 GTi, with 160g/km of CO
2 sounding reasonably low for a performance coupé.
Even before we see this aggressive looking concept in Frankfurt for ourselves, the hope is that Peugeot will take the plunge and decide to produce the likely cut-price TT for real.
Richard Tanner - 31 Jul 2007
