Peugeot prices RCZ R from $68,990

PEUGEOT Australia has launched its most powerful road-going car to date, the RCZ R, from a starting price of $68,990 plus on-road costs.

The RCZ R is a more manic 199kW version of the design-led $58,990 RCZ coupe, headlined by a hefty 52kW gain in power for the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine over the standard petrol manual version, along with an extra 55Nm of torque peaking at 330Nm.

Inspired by the Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup track car, the R sits 10mm lower than a standard RCZ, and makes the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds, 1.6 seconds faster than the standard car fitted with the six-speed manual, and 2.5 seconds faster than the detuned six-speed automatic version.

The 1280kg RCZ R weighs in at less than the standard road-going car, with a power to weight ratio of 155kW per tonne, or 124kW per litre of engine capacity.

Despite its extra welly, Peugeot claims the RCZ R officially uses only 6.3L/100km with emissions rated at 145g/km CO2, compared with 6.9L/100km and 159g/km CO2 for the less powerful 1.6-litre engine.

“The block has been reinforced by a specific heat treatment prior to machining to improve durability,” Peugeot said.

“New forged pistons with a compression ratio of 9.2:1 were developed by Mahle Motorsport and use a grade of aluminium found in Formula One. This is the first time in a production car for Peugeot.

“The con rods have been engineered to withstand continued use at high engine speeds and the upgraded bearings – making their world debut on a road car – are covered with a polymer coating that can withstand higher cylinder pressures.

“Also new is the specially strengthened six-speed manual transmission, upgraded clutch, larger intercooler and new twin-scroll turbocharger,” it said.

Like the more pedestrian RCZ, Peugeot said the RCZ R also features an enhanced sound system linked to the exhaust to “amplify the sporting character of the new RCZ R’s engine”.

As well, a Torsen differential sitting between the front wheels provides extra grip, the front track is widened to help with traction, the damper settings are revised, the front brakes step up to red-painted four-pot calipers and the car sits on stiffer springs.

To save on unsprung weight and aid cooling, the 380mm front brake discs are mounted to an aluminium hub, and wrapped in 19-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber framed in unique two-tone alloys.

“Aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed stability have been improved, thanks to a new fixed boot spoiler which aids rear downforce,” Peugeot said.

Peugeot Australia locked in an allocation of 35 RCZ Rs for the Australian market, out of a global allocation of 500.

The initial allocation of just 20 cars was almost doubled after softening market conditions in Europe made selling the vehicles in performance-focussed Australia proved more attractive for the French car-maker.