Peugeot RCZ Sport HDi 163 2dr Pre-Model Car Review - February 2012

The steering is effective and there is plenty of grip, even with the additional weight of the diesel engine, but it isn’t quite as fun to drive or as responsive as the petrol version of the car. The ride is good and even going into the corners there isn’t much body roll, and the responsiveness to the accelerator is certainly enough to get the pulse racing. The low driving position in the coupe will mean that there is limited height adjustment, but the steering wheel can be moved to suit the driver. One interesting feature is the button next to the handbrake which controls the raising and dropping of the rear spoiler.

The 2.0 litre diesel engine is still powerful enough to deliver some impressive performance figures, and can propel the RCZ from 0-62mph in a brief 8.7 seconds. The top speed of 137mph is not class-leading, but is still much more than the majority of drivers will ever be able to use.

The front end with its large air intake is reminiscent of the 207CC, but the angled light and flared bonnet mean that the RCZ is a totally different beast. The alloy contrast window arches do help the car to stand out, and the rear end is very much like an Audi TT. The rear spoiler doesn’t add much to the overall look, but the inclusion of alloy wheels does complete the aggressive styling, meaning that the RCZ is a very attractive coupe.

In terms of the equipment available, this version comes with a hands free kit and Bluetooth connectivity for those who like to keep in touch when they’re on the road. It also has a few luxuries such as power folding mirrors and climate control as standard.

The RCZ is actually supplied with four seats, but the legroom in the two rear seats mean that they will rarely be used as more than luggage space, as headroom is also an issue. The boot is fairly generous for a coupe, and although this small car is more suited to one or two people, it can cope with up to four adults over short distances.

The RCZ hasn’t been submitted to the Euro NCAP safety tests yet, but it is supplied with plenty of airbags to help look after the driver and front seat passenger in a collision. The lack of a curtain airbag to look after the passengers in the rear is not an unexpected omission because of the space constraints.

The RCZ is designed to compete with coupes in the same class as the Audi TT, and the price is designed to match it. This diesel engine version comes in at a list price of £23,045, but many people will actually prefer the cheaper option with a petrol engine.

One positive aspect for the diesel version of the RCZ is that it can actually deliver some very impressive fuel efficiency figures for a coupe. The 2.0 litre engine can hit an average 53.2mpg, which is more practical than the petrol version. As you would expect with a sporty coupe the insurance group is fairly high, which will reflect in the size of the premium. Fortunately, the resale value of the RCZ is quite good meaning people won’t suffer too much when it comes to selling the car, and it is also delivered with Peugeot’s typical three year warranty and one year roadside breakdown assistance.