Peugeot Australia has introduced the Peugeot RCZ R. A hot machine the company tells us is the most powerful road-going car the brand has ever sold. Developed in conjunction with Peugeot Sport, the Peugeot RCZ R has engineering upgrades and is aimed at those wanting a competition car for use on circuits.
In some ways this can be considered as a detuned road version of the Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup track car.
The Peugeot RCZ R is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine. With 199 kW, well up on the 147 kW of the standard RCZ, it is almost identical in output to the Racing Cup car. With just under 124 kW per litre, Peugeot tells us it sets a record for specific power in the category. There’s a strong 330 Nm of torque that runs all the way from 1900 rpm to 5500 rpm.
The RCZ R can get from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
Weighing just 1280 kg, the hot Peugeot RCZ R has a power-to-weight ratio of 155 kW per tonne.
The engine block has been reinforced by a specific heat treatment prior to machining to improve durability. Forged pistons were developed by Mahle Motorsport and use a grade of aluminium found in the Renault engines that have dominated Formula One for the last four years – though it has to be said that 2014 hasn’t started well for the Renault powerplants.
The conrods have been engineered to withstand continued use at high engine speeds and the upgraded bearings have a polymer coating that can withstand high cylinder pressures.
The engine sits beside a strengthened six-speed manual gearbox with an upgraded clutch. There’s a larger intercooler and new design of twin-scroll turbocharger.
Interestingly, the exhaust has been modified to give an enhanced ‘sound system’ to amplify the sporting character of the new RCZ R’s engine.
A Torsen diff helps get all that torque to the road without upsetting the car overmuch.
The front track has been widened, there are revised dampers and increased stiffness in the springs.
Peugeot RCZ R uses good-looking, two-tone 19-inch alloy wheels. They are surrounded by high-performance Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 235/40 R19 tyres.
The Peugeot RCZ R is on sale now and is available in four colours: Moroccan Red, Perla Nera Black, Mercury Grey and Opal White.
Despite the extensive mechanical improvements, the Peugeot RCZ R is priced from just $68,990, only $10,000 more than the standard RCZ.
