Peugeot RCZ R review
* Hottest RCZ has 267bhp 1.6 petrol engine * Gets limited slip-differential and stiffer suspension * On sale now, priced from £31,995...
The 2014 Peugeot RCZ R is the company’s most powerful production car ever, conceived to go up against not just fast coupes but also the best hot hatches.
The turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol that already appears in the RCZ range has received a raft of revisions to increase power to 267bhp. The R also has stiffer, lowered suspension, upgraded brakes and a limited-slip differential.
On the outside, you’ll find a matt black roof, bespoke 19-inch alloys, dual chrome exhaust tailpipes and a large boot spoiler. The upgrades don’t come cheap, though. At £31,995, the RCZ R costs a whopping £5360 more than a top-spec 197bhp GT model.
The Peugeot RCZ R is also considerably more expensive than two of its closest rivals – the 208bhp Audi TT 2.0 TFSI and the Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup.
What’s the 2014 Peugeot RCZ R like to drive?
With a power hike of almost 40% of the regular RCZ, it’s no surprise to discover that the R has the pace to match the fastest hot hatches. Overtaking is a moment’s work, and at legal speeds you’ll still have plenty of power in reserve. The gearbox has longer gearing than other RCZ's, too, which means 62mph is possible in second gear.
Unfortunately, it's not as fun as it should be. The gearshift is heavy and notchy, which makes changing gear more of a chore than it need be. The engine also tends to lose revs quite slowly, so you have the choice of either changing gear quickly or shifting smoothly – you can't do both at the same time.
One of the most significant changes is the addition of a limited-slip differential, which distributes the 243lb ft of torque between the front wheels, and gives the RCZ R strong traction and stability. Accelerate hard out of a corner on a smooth road and you'll be amazed how resolutely the Peugeot sticks to your chosen line.
Things aren't quite so impressive on uneven roads, though, where the front wheels seem determined to follow every rut and camber in the road, tugging the steering wheel left and then right as you try to feed in the power.
The driving experience is slightly tainted by the vague-feeling controls; the steering is rather numb, the accelerator pedal is a very long-travel affair, while the brakes, although effective, need more initial bite. The ride is firm, but no more so than in the Renaultsport Megane Cup. In fact, the R feels stiff, but not uncomfortable, and actually feels more supple than the standard car, which crashes over bumps and ruts.
In a car like this, you probably don’t want a quiet engine, and that's a good thing because the RCZ R’s revs with a fantastic noise up to the limiter.
What’s the 2014 Peugeot RCZ R like inside?
The red stitching, leather and Alcantara sports seats and metal gearlever make the R feel even more special than the standard car, but then so it should do for the extra it costs.
There’s plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and in the supportive seats, and the equipment list is comprehensive; Bluetooth, sat-nav, climate control, rear parking sensors, automatic wipers and xenon headlights are all standard. In fact, just about the only options you can add are an upgraded sound system and front parking sensors.
All-round visibility isn’t great, but is little worse than other coupes in this class.
There are no changes to cabin space or function, so you get the same tiny rear seats that are only really suitable for kids or emergencies. Still, there is at least a decent sized boot, and the rear seats fold flat to make the load bay even bigger.
Should I buy one?
The CO2 emissions of 145g/km from the RCZ R’s 267bhp engine are remarkably low, which means that running one as a company car will cost around only £20 a month more than the 197bhp manual version. The official fuel economy of 44.8mpg is also impressive.
However, the 208bhp Audi TT is only fractionally slower to 62mph, steers better than the RCZ R and costs £4295 less. True, it's not quite as capable as the Peugeot or as well equipped, but it'll probably hold on to its value better and has a classier cabin. It’s cheaper for company car buyers, too, courtesy of its lower list price.
The Renaultsport Megane is as fast as both of these coupes, better to drive and cheaper to own for private buyers, too. Then, of course, there's the BMW M235i which is quicker than the RCZ R and more fun to drive.
The Peugeot RCZ R has plenty going for it, then, but it's just a little to pricey to recommend over more rounded rivals.
What Car? says…
Rivals
Peugeot RCZ R
Engine size 1.6-litre turbo petrol
Price from £31,995
Power 267bhp
Torque 243lb ft
0-62mph 5.9 seconds
Top speed 155mph
