Review Peugeot RCZ THP 155 – Batmobile

After weeks spent behind the wheel of family sedans, hatchbacks, liftbacks and SUVs, real variety came. After three years of production, the facelifted RCZ model came out of the Austrian workshops of the Peugeot car manufacturer , which has so far eluded me. The aim of the test was to find out if the RCZ drives as good as it looks, or if it is just another expensive design nonsense for fussy ladies. The very first kilometers on Moravian winding roads awakened in me something that I have not experienced in a Peugeot for a long time. The test week developed beyond expectations …

Design – French TT?

Yes, a Peugeot RCZ owner will hear this quite often. Nevertheless, the cars are not as similar as it might seem at first glance. The cabin of the sporty Peugeot is pushed forward as much as possible, short hoods contrast incredibly long front lights with slightly purple covers. When viewed from behind, the RCZ is no bubble . The low line of the trunk lid, the electric extendable pressure wing, the pair of exhaust tips and the massive diffuser are the parts that your opponents will see most often on the circuit. The bulging carbon roof (for an extra charge) and the rear window also look great.

In the beginning, it was said that the Peugeot RCZ of the 2013 model year underwent a facelift. He basically focused only on the front part, which is now unified with all the latest models of the car company. The holes in the front bumper no longer look so grinning, the fog lights have been replaced by LED strips for daytime running lights. Even the massive front lights are completely new and the purple overlay suits them incredibly well. In addition, the tested car had xenon and cornering, which is a function that you will get used to very quickly and happily.

Interior – Only the best

To tell you the truth, I was quite afraid of the interior of the RCZ. I was mainly concerned with the seats, which have recently been the weakest link in all sports models of the PSA concern. Beautiful to look at. However, soft to the touch, which resulted in weak body support in turns. However, RCZ is different. If it weren't for the manufacturer's markings all over the place, and if I didn't recognize the familiar parts that the RCZ shares with its other siblings, I wouldn't say I'm sitting in a Peugeot. Seriously, the seats have lateral guides, the steering wheel is free of all buttons, fits perfectly in the hands and has an incredibly large range of settings.

A wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustments means that even a driver the size of a hippopotamus can fit into the interior. Yes, I admit that I was quite embarrassed after getting behind the wheel for the first time. Immediately after starting, the screen of the multimedia system slides out of the instrument panel, which, given the car's height of 1362 millimeters, is not very far from the interior rear-view mirror. However, it didn't take long to find the perfect driving position. The interior surrounds you perfectly and at one point you almost feel like you're in a racing car. The pair of rear seats seems a little useless to me. In the case of my setup, the backrest of the front seat was touching the rear seat, which makes it impossible for any other person to exist here. However, the advantage is the possibility of folding the rear backrest, which almost doubles the size of the shallow luggage compartment with a basic volume of 384 liters .

The tested and also the only version of the Allure brings all the luxury equipment that you can expect in a similarly designed car. The luxury leather covers of the sports seats have the car company's logo embossed in their upper part, you can also find the leather on the instrument panel . However, even the low angle of the windshield does not allow the instrument panel to be reflected in it. The front seats are electrically adjustable and have heating. I have no reservations about the center console either. Clear air conditioning control is at hand. The same applies to the radio panel with a glossy finish.

Since we are in a sports car, there are a number of aluminum accessories. Whether we're talking about the fancy side skirts, the RCZ plaques on the carpets or the underside of the flattened three-spoke steering wheel, none of it looks cheesy. The aluminum pedals also look great, with the high anchoring of which my size 48 shoes had a bit of a problem at first. On the other hand, intermediate gases are given perfectly.

Engine

The tested version was equipped with a turbocharged 16-liter THP gasoline engine with an output of 115 kW. Those interested in a more powerful version can have the same engine with an output of 147 kW, there is also a two-liter HDi diesel with an output of 120 kW. The tested engine is also available with an automatic six-speed transmission. However, we went for the manual, which is the better option given the character of the car.

The six-cylinder THP was created in cooperation between PSA and BMW Group. Yes, you can find the same engine in MINI cars, but the technicians took care of a different tuning. The maximum power peaks at 6000 rpm, the torque of 240 Nm starts already at 1400 rpm. Mating this engine to a well-graded, short-throw manual transmission means you'll really have a lot of fun behind the wheel. You can drive at a speed of up to 100 km/h on the two-wheeler, the three-wheeler can be pulled up to somewhere around 140. Then it's up to you what you dare to do.

Fuel consumption is not overly dependent on driving style. Movements on the highway mean consumption of 6.5 liters of Natural per 100 km/h, with a leisurely drive through the districts you can reach 6 l/100 km even without checking your driving style. No horror happens even when you drive really fast. For the whole week, I didn't get more than 12 l/100 km, and I certainly didn't skimp on the RCZ.

Drive

I can't help it, but I have to repeat the statement I made in the interior section: if it weren't for the manufacturer's signs all around, I wouldn't say I'm sitting in a Peugeot! Gone are all the ills of the French siblings, who suffer from overpowered steering and a rocking chassis. The RCZ is tough , the body doesn't twist and it's a lot of fun on the roads.

My first ride was through Prague, where I had to deal with tram belts, potholes and idiots who don't care about red at traffic lights. Already during the first evasive maneuver, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the car responds to steering wheel commands. Today's cars in most cases prefer easy handling, which unfortunately takes its toll in the form of less willingness to turn. From time to time you also do not know how your front wheels are actually turned and there is no question of any feedback in the steering. The opposite of this is the Peugeot RCZ. The steering is surprisingly stiff and precise, you need to exert a little force to shift gears, and you don't feel like you're sinking your feet into the mud when you step on the pedals. However, the city is not the natural environment of the RCZ, so I shortened my trip through Prague as much as possible.

The Peugeot RCZ loves the districts most of all. Technical passages with not very long straights. It is mainly because the RCZ simply wants to turn. Always and constantly. Most of all, it loves to drive with the speed dialed up, and if you happen to manage to overshoot a corner slightly, the car will let you know about it well in advance. It is not insidious and so precise that you can easily paint it even on significantly stronger cars. Proof of this was one afternoon drive, during which the RCZ had an Audi S6 permanently glued to its rear wing. On the long straights, the eight-cylinder with 350 horses had the upper hand. However, still not enough to be able to overtake the RCZ. But with every turn came a debacle. While the S6 was just settling into the drive, the nimble Peugeot was already gone with the addictive rumble of the supercharged 16-litre. If I take into account that the weight difference is not so significant compared to the performance (the S6 from 2001 weighs around 1800 kg), I have to pay tribute to the Peugeot RCZ. And the automaker still has a 147 kW version in stock!

Conclusion

The rejuvenated Peugeot RCZ is a great sports car that definitely deserves your attention. The manufacturer managed to catch the ailments of the previous models and released a car that you simply want to drive.

The tested 16-litre THP doesn't have too much work to do with the car, and if you don't cut corners at the moment, it pays off with surprisingly low fuel consumption. There is no point in discussing the practical side of the car. You buy a Peugeot RCZ because you want to. There are others here for everything else.

Price of a specific car: CZK 803,000