Chromed and crimped with red, the character "R" appears to emerge from a plate with a brushed aluminium finish and 4 visible screws, which signs the centre console. Inspired by the world of aviation, its symbolises precision and elegantly bears the stamp of Peugeot Sport.
Intense driving sensations
"Descending" into his vehicle, the driver discovers an ergonomic driving position, ideal for savouring the dynamic qualities of his RCZ R. The small steering wheel, the short gear lever, the special gear knob in aluminium highlighted with red and the new bucket seats developed by Peugeot Sport - with reinforced support and consistent with the level of performance of the RCZ R - actively contribute to the driving sensations.
Along with sight and touch, hearing is not forgotten!
The Sound System associated with a special intake line, as well as a redesigned exhaust line, allow you to enjoy the sporty character of the RCZ R's new engine as you accelerate and change gear.
Dynamic and sporty sensations
"The search for performance and effectiveness in 'race' conditions guided numerous choices during development, in particular the size and fine-tuning of the drive train, the suspension, the brakes and the tyres over and above the usual production criteria to allow the most expert drivers to spend time on the circuit. "
Pierre Budar, RCZ R Project Manager
The sporty temperament of the RCZ R is also demonstrated by the figures; maximum speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) (limited electronically), 0 - 60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, the 400 m standing start slashed to 14.2 seconds and the 1000 m to 25.4 seconds.
The in-gear acceleration is also of a very high level increasing from 50 to 75 mph (80 to 120km/h) in 6.8 seconds in top gear.
The staging of the 6-speed manual gearbox is specific, benefiting acceleration and in-gear acceleration.
The lowered centre of gravity, the improved aerodynamic sensitivity (drag / downforce), special suspension settings (tracks, toe-in and camber, wheels rims 0.5 inch wider) and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 235 / 40 R19 tyres optimise the grip and guarantee remarkable road holding.
The suspension and wheels adopt new damper patterns, increased spring stiffnesses and anti-roll centring moved back, offering greater agility.
The Torsen limited slip differential makes full use of the high torque available from 1900 rpm benefiting traction, it offers the RCZ R good stability on braking and the ability to hold a tight trajectory inside bends.
The performance and agility of the RCZ R are also the result of fine-tuning meetings and circuit tests, in particular with the Peugeot Sport test drivers.
Their exacting standards regarding braking naturally directed the technical specification towards fixed 4-piston calipers, permitting a significant gain in stiffness and therefore travel of the pedal while favouring a reduction in the non-suspended weights.
The discs, of 380 mm diameter and 32 mm thickness, are fitted floating on an aluminium reservoir. This contributes to reducing the weight and to the cooling, as do the internal ventilations of the disc, the optimisation of which is the result of Alcon's experience in competition.
The whole provides the braking system with endurance to withstand any test and offers the RCZ R exceptional safety and performance, with in particular less than 61 m to brake from 80 to 0 mph (130 to 0 km/h).
Drive train designed for the circuit, with the durability of production
"To obtain 270 hp and 330 Nm from a production engine with a capacity of 1.6l and which can withstand sporty use on a circuit, new solutions had to be introduced, very top-of-the-range or taken from the world of competition. Peugeot Sport has all the expertise required to achieve this, the group's Research and Development teams contributed their experience and know-how to guarantee the durability and the industrial application."
Thierry Chauvet, RCZ R Drive Train Development Manager
The RCZ R is equipped with a new 1.6 THP petrol direct injection turbo engine. It develops its maximum power of 199kW (270hp) at 6000 rpm and its maximum torque of 330 Nm from 1900 rpm and up to 5500 rpm.
This new ‘EP6CDTR’ engine benefits from extensive development, numerous parts have been modified or entirely redeveloped to obtain this performance and be capable of sporty use with the durability of a production engine.
The engine block itself is reinforced by means of a special heat treatment before machining to improve its durability.
The Twin Scroll turbo has been developed specifically to benefit from dimensions which are ideal for this application and this level of performance. Combined with a steel exhaust manifold of innovative structure inspired by racing, it permits the operating temperatures to be kept higher.
The new pistons, providing a compression ratio of 9.2, developed with MAHLE Motorsport, are of a forged structure and use a grade of aluminium used in Formula 1, and cooled by 2 jets.
The conn rods have also been modified to withstand use at high engine speeds. Their big end shells with polymer coating can withstand the highest cylinder pressures. Patented and presented in 2011 by MAHLE, they are applied in production as a world first on the RCZ R.
Comfort and pleasure every day
The RCZ R has been developed as a competition version by Peugeot Sport for sporty use on a circuit, but it can also be pleasant and civilised for daily use on the road.
The calibrations of the power train in fact combine the requirements of sporty driving on a circuit and those of everyday use. Depending on the pressure on the accelerator pedal and engine speed, which reveal the style of driving adopted by the driver, its behaviour will be comfort - town or sport - effectiveness.
In addition, the level of torque obtained from very low engine speeds permits dynamic restarts and a very high level of everyday pleasure on the road.
The design of the suspension improves the agility and incisive character of the RCZ R with a compromise which retains a level of comfort close to that of the RCZ 1.6 THP 200 hp.
Finally, the upmarket materials and the ergonomy of the instruments and controls, its top-of-the-range equipment and limited consumption in normal use, 6.3 l per 60 miles (100km) in the mixed cycle Р(a benchmark in the category) - also make the RCZ R a sports coup̩ which is comfortable and easy to live with off the circuit.